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European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA? (Updated w/pics & info)

2.4K views 44 replies 22 participants last post by  azbobbybooshay_10  
#1 ·
Has anyone seen the preview of Jay Leno's new show? The preview shows him driving laps in what looks like a new orange euro focus ST around a track outside his studio, Looks pretty cool. Could this be the first of many euro focus to come stateside?
 
#4 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

I don't see it as a surprise...Ford is quietly putting the European Focus in the minds of Americans for a reason....

Now if Jay says on his show "I wish I was driving the RS right now..."

That would be something...
 
#6 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

Saw the promo during the Titans-Steelers game. It definitely looked like a Euro Focus ST, but on the side and on the windshield banner it said 'electric focus'. Interesting that they would give him an EV based on the Euro platform.
 
#10 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

^ Not at all. I see the RS at 29 /w no options. 32k fully loaded

Theres about this much difference /------------------------------------------/ between the RS and MS3
Oh yeah... and what are those differences??? Same basic chassis, same amount of options, similar quality interiors (RS gets a slightly higher nod there for the seats), and the RS has about 35more hp. Doesn't seem like $8k worth of upgrades by a mile....

I'm interested in hearing though why people think it should cost $6-8k more.....
 
#11 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

Does the ew RS even have options? I figured when you walked into a showroom you got to order one based on color, with no other options to be added/ subtracted.
 
#15 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

We won't see another performance Focus, its what we have the Mustangs for.
 
#16 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

I love the Focus RS and all (and am quite jealous of its front suspension setup), but there's no way I'd pay $8K more than I paid for my MS3 to get into one... :dunno:

For that kind of money, I'd be looking at something that wasn't "wrong-wheel-drive." :lol:
 
#18 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

I love the Focus RS and all (and am quite jealous of its front suspension setup), but there's no way I'd pay $8K more than I paid for my MS3 to get into one... :dunno:

For that kind of money, I'd be looking at something that wasn't "wrong-wheel-drive." :lol:

You need to drive the new RS, then I think you could make this type of comment. New RS has proven it is not a 'wrong-wheel-drive"
 
#19 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

^^ I love the new rs, but with all that hp and tq, ford shouldn't be advertizing 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. It should be more like less than 5 seconds. I know it's not all about 0-60 or whatever it is, but it sort of bothers me. That's all because of wwd.
 
#24 ·
Re: European Focus On Jay Leno's New Show, in USA?

Yummy!

Image


Image


The new Jay Leno Show has been given as much push as any new program in recent memory, with a constant barrage on TV, the radio and all over the interwebs. One part of the show that has really piqued our interest is Jay's Green Car Challenge, which puts celebrities behind the wheel of an electric Ford Focus. We reported on Jay's Top Gear-like challenge last week, but we hadn't gotten our hands on any pics or specs... until now.
The special battery-powered Focus started life in Germany as a run-of-the-mill Focus ST five-door hatch back in July, then it was shipped to Dearborn, MI for electrification. The one-of-a-kind Focus was given an extreme makeover in only six weeks, but we think the results are pretty remarkable. The Green Car Challenge Focus is bright orange, has more decals than Tony Stewart's car and packs a permanent magnet electric motor. The electric Focus weighs in at a portly 3,421 pounds due in part to the vehicle's 98 air-cooled, 60 Ah lithium ion batteries. The electric motor kicks out 141 hp (105 kW) and 235 lb-ft of torque and has a 7,500 rpm redline.

The goal of Leno's Green Car Challenge is for celebrities to achieve the best possible lap times, so Ford made sure its ecologically friendly Focus could also handle track duty. Among the added features in this Euro Focus ST are Recaro racing seats, a full roll cage and a five-point racing harness. Ford also added 12.6 inch front rotors and 11 inch discs out back to make sure this hot orange Focus could stop as well as it can go.

The Green Car Challenge Ford Focus will first hit the airwaves tonight as actress Drew Berrymore gets behind the wheel for some track time. Hit the jump for more details about Ford's converted Euro Focus ST, and click on the gallery below to see a couple great looking pics.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/pretty-in-pics-lenos-electric-focus-gets-a-face-specs

>8^)
ER
 
#27 ·
+1

And I can't wait for the sudden outcry of Joe Citizens watching that segment and saying "Wait, I want a Focus that looks like that!!! Why don't ours look like that?!?!?!?"
 
#28 ·
VERY VERY VERY true.... someone said exactly what I was thinking in the Autoblog comments:

How is Jay going to explain this Focus to American viewers? Here's a car made by Ford, but 99% of people in America have never seen and can't buy, electric motor or no.
As much as I love the idea, whats the point of showing off a car that will just confuse people....

Viewer: "Wait, thats a Focus?? When can I get it?"
Ford: "Uhhh thats the old car"
Viewer: "What? Focus doesn't look like that"
Ford: "Well...... its complicated....."
Viewer: "Ohh......."
 
#31 ·
For those questioning why did they use the Euro Focus for this show.
"Focus BEV foreshadows many of the same systems that Ford will begin selling to consumers in an all-new electric Ford Focus, scheduled to go on sale in North America in 2011."

Which Focus will the new global Focus most resemble? The Euro Focus.
Which car vehicle will Ford N.A. sell as an BEV vehicle? The new Focus.

I don't see why this would be confusing to the American public.
 
#33 ·

VIDEO: Ford shows off new Focus EV for the Jay Leno Show

We've already showed you the first images of a new battery electric Focus that Ford has built for the guests of the new Jay Leno Show to drive in his Green Car Challenge. Now Ford has also posted a video with some of the engineers showing off their handiwork. Once the team got the Euro-spec Focus electrified, it was time for the Ford Racing crew to charge it up. Andy Slankard, Engineering Supervisor at Ford Racing, describes the work done to prepare the car for its life on the small screen. While these show cars started life as Focus ST models, their new powertrain and the added mass of a 23 kWh battery pack meant the suspension needed some beefing up. With the battery pack sitting in the cargo hold in the rear, the weight balance was undoubtedly shifted towards the back. Nevertheless, the car still looks pretty good going through the autocross, as you'll see in the video after the jump. Thanks to Clifford for the tip!
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/video-ford-shows-off-new-focus-ev-for-the-em-jay-leno-show-em/
 
#34 ·
Connect the dots. As alluded to earlier in this thread, we ARE getting the next gen "world" car, which will look a lot more like the current Euro Focus than the current USDM one.

Ford will also be producing an BEV version of the car. That is the (marketing) reason behind the choice of platforms and powertrain for the Leno Show car. And, it also helps undermines all of the Volt hype that GM has been getting.

The Fiesta doesn't enter into this equation at all. Different car, different mission, different marketing.

Also BTW, Andy Slankard featured in the video above is an FFJ* :D




*Friend of Focaljet. :thumbup:
 
#38 · (Edited)
, we ARE getting the next gen "world" car, which will look a lot more like the current Euro Focus than the current USDM one.
OMG, the way you wrote that ,if I was living on that side of pond I'd be scared that there would be "ANY" sort of resemblance of the current USDM thingy running around North American roads wearing the F O C U S badge.

RE: Andy Slankard commentary bit which I watched on the 1st vid that was released with a blonde lady from Ford (Connie Fontaine) was speaking (video has disappeared) were Andy spoke in great detail about the changes made to the suspension. Maybe I am too sensitive but I was surprised that he spoke about the factory spec Focus ST as if it was not much of a dynamically good car until he and his team got their hands on it. Not that it matters, but Mr.Slankard being one of the Ford (racing) team one would think he would have had a wee bit of praise for one of his companies finest factory set up cars.
And they said the added Recaro seats??

Edit found that 1st video on thefordstory website
http://www.thefordstory.com/green/electric-ford-focus-is-the-car-for-stars-on-“the-jay-leno-show”/
 
#35 ·
Many may have already seen the Focus segment (I forgot to set the DVR, come on JayLenoShow.com...), here is a quick post Leno put on their website about the Focus can the track including video:


MESSAGE FROM JAY: ON THE NEW TRACK


I doubt there's a car buff out there who doesn't dream of having some sort of practice or test track right outside the door. And now we've got one! The track is the centerpiece of a regular segment we're starting today called the Green Car Challenge. We've got a great little track filled with all sorts of tight turns right outside studio 11. And best of all, we've got two crazy fast, all-electric Ford race cars to drive around it--the only two in the country. Check out this video with Justin Bell and me where we get a look under the hood. Then watch as I take the car around the short track for an inaugural run. In the future, we'll have all sorts of guests come out and give it their all behind the wheel. Then, like my friends at BBC's Top Gear do, we'll keep a running post of who's got the fastest times. Electrifyingly fun!
http://www.thejaylenoshow.com/latest-from-jay/message-from-jay-on-the-new-track/


Well from that quick video, my fears have been justified.... When they said "ohh we built our own track out here on the lot" I had a feeling it would be tight and cramped. That course is smaller than autocross course I've ever seen, eve the cheesy ride and drive ones that some manufacture's put on.....

Though someone did have a good idea, Jay should have the Stig fly over and do a few laps :lol:
 
#41 ·
It's a "gag" thing. Yes, it's Cheesy, but it is what it is. I thought she and her pokies did Great! She went off of the "black", but she was also told to avoid the various obstacles, so, IMO she took the line that she had to. Also, did you see the heels on her shoes? :eek::lol:
She's pretty Hot...
:cool: