There has been a lot of talk in here lately about the European version of the Focus and why Ford won't bring it here. Since Guy just made a thread about the Mondeo and the discussion is already reaching into other European cars, I thought I'd start this one to keep from highjacking his...

I was wondering if anybody in this forum has actually been in one, or even seen one in person? If so, please post your impressions. I don't suspect we will get many!

I have, and I am telling you they are SOOO much different (and better IMO) than what we have here.

I found this link to a German Ford website, and it has an interactive session involving a Focus ST... !broadband alert since it is interactive!
Once the first page is downloaded, there will be 7 buttons at the top of the window that take you from exterior to interior to suspension, etc.... choose one and allow it to load, then you will see target dots you can select that will zoom you in on features and operations as they are animated. Also, there are buttons labelled "fahrzeug drehen" - these allow you to move around the car in the direction they are indicating during the session.
Focus ST

This is as close as I can get you to what these cars are like - and it is MUCH better than a magazine pic. In real life, they sound much like the audio clips, and they strike an impressive pose for a compact. As much as I love Mustangs and Camaros... I have to admit that I would buy and drive one of these as a daily beater if it were offered here for a decent price. They really are exceptional cars.

Anybody else think this car should come across the pond?

 

And for those of you who don't agree with the grill bars in he Ford Fusion...

Look at this Fusion as it is being sold in Germany...

No grill bars...

and a totally different profile...

I think I like ours better.

 

Hmmm, so the Fusion is a small SUV over there and a midsize sedan here. Yes, in that case, ours looks much better. Still not nuts about the front end though.

 

I really like the Euro focus ST. I have a topgear episode on my computer and Jermey tests one out and basically falls in love with it. If sold here, i would seriously consider buying an ST for a DD.

At a time when ford is losing market share and their car lineup needs and is going through a revamping, they need a car like the new Focus. Keeping the old focus around when it loses sales every year to the imports isn't smart. That and by the time the new focus gets here, it'll feel dated compared to the new 2008 or so imports that'll debut around then. Anyone besides me think Ford's shooting themselves in the foot here. You don't hold off on great products, you rush them to your slumping markets and hope they stop the bleeding. I'm not following ford's logic here.

 

Yes, it's an entirely different vehicle than our Fusion. Over in Europe, the Fusion is a Fiesta-based small crossover. And I'm not keep on the Gillette-inspired, Caddy ripoff front end either.

 

Yes they should have brought that over yesterday.