2012 Ford Focus Ad, something Ford Australia could use on its Falcon

[MexicanBatman]

I don't give 2 shits about the ad, but I don't want t buy a car that puts the brakes on when I accelerate out of a corner, LSD ffs. Some of the tech looks ok but that icc looks far too busy and cluttered

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

I don't give 2 shits about the ad, but I don't want t buy a car that puts the brakes on when I accelerate out of a corner, LSD ffs. Some of the tech looks ok but that icc looks far too busy and cluttered

That is dumb to say the least!! So you'd rather that wheel (note, not both wheels brake), lose traction & you lose stearing control!! That is much, much better!!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

I don't give 2 shits about the ad, but I don't want t buy a car that puts the brakes on when I accelerate out of a corner, LSD ffs. Some of the tech looks ok but that icc looks far too busy and cluttered

Do you really have a clue?
More tech in that car then ANY Aussie car.
Also the wheels on the sedan look very familiar

[In Focus]

And yet people will still buy "Australia's own" Cruze rather than a Focus...

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&so...E7ywed3__9s2MA

[mik]

Originally Posted by OttoXR8

I reckon the sedan looks better than the hatch

the focus looks like a mini mondeo to me !....... another vote for i like the tech ads, need more of this type of ad for the falc, the speeding up wiper thing, has`nt that been on the falcon since EL?

[Polyal]

Your going to compare a global car to a car made only for AUS? Come on...wanna see the budget difference? The G and XR series are very smart looking cars and stand up well (and exceed in some cases) to everything else considering again its budgetary constraints.

The hatch has always looked better than the sedan, it just flows more. Great adds too.

Mik its just going to be a corporate image.

Ford and One Ford is only catching up to what the big boys (BMW, Merc etc) have done for decades.

[Polyal]

Sorry after watching them again a few things:

1. auto shutter/vents on the front bar? Thats going to be costly to fix in a bingle and you would hope the cooling system can handle them being shut full time if it does fail.

2. That auto park function is cool, but taking responsibility away from humans..what happens when you have a fender bender..is it your fault still? It would freak me out. I know it should be coded so that never happens but things go wrong eventually.

3. Button start with key....im sure there is something stopping a smarty pants thief from knowing which cars have this function, so they wouldn't hang out, wait for the owner to get close, jump in and push start yes?

Im all for technology, and Im sure Ford and other manufacturers have thought it all through, but some stuff thats put into cars these days surely adds costs and removes responsibility for ones self...I dont think thats such a good thing.

[1TUFFUTE]

yes but i think its about ease of life and the shock factor of the cool treats and tech. When you first saw the add you were impressed wernt you. So was i. That means it worked. There are pros and cons for EVERYTHING. It can allll be argued. Theres no denying that add is good...the cars look good(some will come around...always do) and dont forget the fact that these cars are so far ahead of the stupid cruze its embarassing. The american comparo gave the focus wins in all catagories..its lighter cheaper faster comfier more quality and so on. And they had the same budget for there cruze...what gives???/

Its a great car. Sit a omega next to them and tell me the FG looks dated...

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Sorry after watching them again a few things:

1. auto shutter/vents on the front bar? Thats going to be costly to fix in a bingle and you would hope the cooling system can handle them being shut full time if it does fail.

2. That auto park function is cool, but taking responsibility away from humans..what happens when you have a fender bender..is it your fault still? It would freak me out. I know it should be coded so that never happens but things go wrong eventually.

3. Button start with key....im sure there is something stopping a smarty pants thief from knowing which cars have this function, so they wouldn't hang out, wait for the owner to get close, jump in and push start yes?

Im all for technology, and Im sure Ford and other manufacturers have thought it all through, but some stuff thats put into cars these days surely adds costs and removes responsibility for ones self...I dont think thats such a good thing.

Really?

1) It's called insurance and they wouldn't cost more than couple hundred anyway. As for the overheating, from what I understand if it fails it fails open. Ford are not the first with technology, BMW had it on their previous 5 series and X5. I'd imagine Ford would have tested this anyway. it is a global car after all, for all climates and situations.

2) How many other makes have had this tech before? Not ground breaking and really it is still up to the driver to ensure it is used correctly. I'd imagine there is an override.

3) c'mon...the mondeo already has this and so does a whole range of other makes.

You know what Automatic gear boxes added cost and removed responsibility. Has it been that bad? It is called progress.

[Polyal]

I know that sounds like I want things to go backwards, but thats not true at all.

Seriously how freakin lazy car you be having a car auto park for you. Your luxury cars have these because the owners probably cant even rotate their necks fully from either being overweight or to old. (bit harsh but you get the point).

The key/card thing ok is nice, lets say someone does wait and jumps in, takes off, is there a proximity function that will shut the car down once its far enough away from the card?

Insurance for the front bar..great, so our premiums are going to go up even more because we have flaps in our front bar that save 0.01% in fuel consumption?

I think Ford needs to remember who they are, Ford..not Merc, not BMW etc. By all means add safety features thats good, thats progress, **** features add cost and complexity.

So if the Focus gets all this, what does the mondeo get that the focus doesn't? I mean if I can get everything in a focus why bother with anything else? Are car company's ok with the only factor in looking to upgrade being size alone?

So the Lincolns going to have a GPS based drive home function, so the owners can sip on their soy lattes while reading BRW?

Progress is good, needed, normal, but complexity and removal of responsibility IMO is a mistake.

[deesun]

Regarding the add, when they made the original they would have made more than one. They would make shorter versions just pointing out the tech in general or focusing, no pun intended, on one part of the tech. The long one would be to start the campaign and for picture theatres etc. Then the shorter ones. As for the car, I like the hatch but not the sedan, just like the current model. The XR4 (or whatever it will be called) better look good cos I have promised my Mrs one. Considering she is putting up with our old BA duel fuel with 190k on the clock till then, it better be good. OR ELSE she says. lol.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by In Focus

And yet people will still buy "Australia's own" Cruze rather than a Focus...

Well can you blame them? I couldn't bring myself to drive something as ugly as the new focus no matter how superior it may be percieved to be.
Most of its tech features are just w@nk factor anyway and serve no real purpose, whilst adding significant cost and complexity.

[R-Design]

All the ad's are in here....

The Focus YouTube Channel

If Falcon had all this Tech it'd be selling through the roof in the retail market.

[FPV8U]

Great Add... For people like us, not so sure about for the average punter who isn't "Into" car so much.

[MexicanBatman]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

That is dumb to say the least!! So you'd rather that wheel (note, not both wheels brake), lose traction & you lose stearing control!! That is much, much better!!

You ever driven a fwd car with a real LSD?

Electronic gizmos are ********, it applies the brake on the inside wheel to transfer torque... Now a simple LSD achieves basically the same thing without working against itself

But this isn't the kinda of car designed with drivers in mind, no.. It's designed for Americans, who gives a crap if you can tag a song to then later be downloaded or have it poorly park itself, things like direct injection and 6spd powershift are win though, as is a decent sound system, but by Sony, really? Sure its better than what we have locally but Sony are crap!

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

You ever driven a fwd car with a real LSD?

Electronic gizmos are ********, it applies the brake on the inside wheel to transfer torque... Now a simple LSD achieves basically the same thing without working against itself

But this isn't the kinda of car designed with drivers in mind, no.. It's designed for Americans, who gives a crap if you can tag a song to then later be downloaded or have it poorly park itself, things like direct injection and 6spd powershift are win though, as is a decent sound system, but by Sony, really? Sure its better than what we have locally but Sony are crap!

You're a tough one to please. Tagging an unknown song would be very handy for us that download a lot and the parking thing well Im guessing there are a lot of people out there who are afraid to parallel park.

As for the LSD thing, having it done electrically through the break gives the car more control over the power delivery. LSD is a mechanical link which only gives one setting. There is no fine tuning with that unless you start using expensive ones like an EVO. Through the brakes is easier.

Anyway Ford needs to move forward with technology and it looks like they are with cars like the Focus. We cant be stuck in the 70s forever.

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

You ever driven a fwd car with a real LSD?

Electronic gizmos are ********, it applies the brake on the inside wheel to transfer torque... Now a simple LSD achieves basically the same thing without working against itself

But this isn't the kinda of car designed with drivers in mind, no.. It's designed for Americans, who gives a crap if you can tag a song to then later be downloaded or have it poorly park itself, things like direct injection and 6spd powershift are win though, as is a decent sound system, but by Sony, really? Sure its better than what we have locally but Sony are crap!

I get the 'let's have a crack at stupid american's thing' but mate you are full of it. I have an LSD in my EF and while i think its great (and probably should be on all high hp RWD cars in a way) it has a range of issues that make it far less suited to use on a low hp FWD car. NVH is very poor from lsds...even modern ones for a start. Yes that matters for the sort of market this car is aimed at. Secondly it costs more.....both for the manufacturer and the buyer.

I agree this feature if just a simple tweak of the stability control system (which in turn is a continual evolution of abs/tc systems) but on a pretty light FWD car it would work to help reduce understeer under acceleration. An LSD will help with unloaded tyre going into wheel spin due to power but most focus models don't have enough hp to be worth that. LSD will do squat to stop understeer which is what this system is designed to do...in fact buy putting grunt down to both front wheels it will increase understeer not decrease it.

My only complaint with this idea is if you drive the car hard on a very windy road often you would rack up a bit more brake pad wear...but then again it applies the brakes so lightly it probably isn't all that significant...

[MethodX]

Always liked the sedan Focus better.
Just cant get into hatches, especially the hot hatch thing.

Hopefully Ford Aus promote it well, and it sells.

[In Focus]

Originally Posted by stevz

Well can you blame them? I couldn't bring myself to drive something as ugly as the new focus no matter how superior it may be percieved to be.
Most of its tech features are just w@nk factor anyway and serve no real purpose, whilst adding significant cost and complexity.

Disagree on the ugliness factor, but if you watched the video, you'd see the Focus is a far superior car, for better reasons than the gimmicks. Though I'm sure you're right: people will buy the Cruze because they like the looks or, as I said, because it's a "Holden".

[Ford17]

The FG just lacks the marketing pizzaz
It's a much better car; fruck it's RWD to start.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by In Focus

Disagree on the ugliness factor, but if you watched the video, you'd see the Focus is a far superior car, for better reasons than the gimmicks. Though I'm sure you're right: people will buy the Cruze because they like the looks or, as I said, because it's a "Holden".

Well I just watched the video, and putting the cars totally aside, that would have to be the most amateurish review I have ever seen.
I don't doubt that the Focus is superior in some aspects, but it is also about 2-3 years newer than the Cruze, so it's to be expected really.
I still stand by my comments regarding the looks. The front end is absolutely abhorrent, whilst the rear with its oversized tail lights looks very kia-ish to me. Current model Focus is a much cleaner design and easier on the eye IMO.
Each to their own though...

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

You ever driven a fwd car with a real LSD?

Electronic gizmos are ********, it applies the brake on the inside wheel to transfer torque... Now a simple LSD achieves basically the same thing without working against itself

But this isn't the kinda of car designed with drivers in mind, no.. It's designed for Americans, who gives a crap if you can tag a song to then later be downloaded or have it poorly park itself, things like direct injection and 6spd powershift are win though, as is a decent sound system, but by Sony, really? Sure its better than what we have locally but Sony are crap!

Really you confirmed my last post of not having a clue.

[davessleepin351]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

I don't give 2 shits about the ad, but I don't want t buy a car that puts the brakes on when I accelerate out of a corner, LSD ffs. Some of the tech looks ok but that icc looks far too busy and cluttered

I agree. personally. but to be honest hardly anyone in the outside world can drive anymore and this will help them. anything that will help mom and pop get through the hills with a little more confidence is ok with me. After all i dont see myself owning a car like this for performance reasons.

[davessleepin351]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Really you confirmed my last post of not having a clue.

I would expect some more tact and general behaviour from a moderator

[MexicanBatman]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Really you confirmed my last post of not having a clue.

Ohh I'm sorry I have no clue, I have owned more than 80 cars and have had had cars that were 3 4 6 8 cyl front and rear engined turbo n/a supercharged, manual automatic, and automated manuals, and with almost every combo in between, front rear and all wheel drive, I certainly know what I'm on about, and no amount of electronic trickery will be as good as a real diff, i have owned a French car that did just this that I'm on about, and it was ****..

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

Ohh I'm sorry I have no clue, I have owned more than 80 cars and have had had cars that were 3 4 6 8 cyl front and rear engined turbo n/a supercharged, manual automatic, and automated manuals, and with almost every combo in between, front rear and all wheel drive, I certainly know what I'm on about, and no amount of electronic trickery will be as good as a real diff, i have owned a French car that did just this that I'm on about, and it was ****..

I wasnt talking about the diff.
Yes i know what a FWD is like with a proper LSD (Quaife) so i know how good they can be.
I was more refering to the tech in the car, it is leaps and bounds ahead of ANYTHING FoA have

[MexicanBatman]

Originally Posted by DJM83

I wasnt talking about the diff.
Yes i know what a FWD is like with a proper LSD (Quaife) so i know how good they can be.
I was more refering to the tech in the car, it is leaps and bounds ahead of ANYTHING FoA have

Well I fully agree there on the local tech, the falcon has a tiny market place compared to the more global models, if they were to sell it globally maybe it'd have some basic features that have been on other cars for 10 years now, even still I can't see the tech in this filtering through to the falcon range if it's still around as we know it in the next few years

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Seriously how freakin lazy car you be having a car auto park for you. Your luxury cars have these because the owners probably cant even rotate their necks fully from either being overweight or to old. (bit harsh but you get the point).

Having it there doesn't mean you need to use it. It is just a nice feature to have for some. People need to understand that these kind of technologies are there to assist and not to be relied upon all the time. I wouldn't use this feature but cannot see the problem with it. It might help reduce the amount of accidents caused by useless people who cannot parallel park that no amount of training has been able to help.

The key/card thing ok is nice, lets say someone does wait and jumps in, takes off, is there a proximity function that will shut the car down once its far enough away from the card?

Yes there is (only a few metres) and it isn't a new technology either it has been around for years. I haven't been reading much about people jumping in and stealing cars with this technology.

Insurance for the front bar..great, so our premiums are going to go up even more because we have flaps in our front bar that save 0.01% in fuel consumption?

clutching at straws much? Could say the same for reverse sensors and radar guided cruise control, etc.

I think Ford needs to remember who they are, Ford..not Merc, not BMW etc. By all means add safety features thats good, thats progress, **** features add cost and complexity.

So if the Focus gets all this, what does the mondeo get that the focus doesn't? I mean if I can get everything in a focus why bother with anything else? Are car company's ok with the only factor in looking to upgrade being size alone?

So the Lincolns going to have a GPS based drive home function, so the owners can sip on their soy lattes while reading BRW?

Progress is good, needed, normal, but complexity and removal of responsibility IMO is a mistake.

Ford know who they are and where their place is. The features listed here are nothing new they have been around for years, some of which have been in the mondeo since it was released. You may think their "****" features but many do not, myself included. You can stick with your horse and cart if you want I am keen to see Ford progress into the future and provide innovative products to the market.

A focus isn't the same as a Mondeo. The latter being a larger car more suitable for a family vehicle and it has a proper station wagon. Different market nothing changes from the siutation now.

Removal of responsibility? These are features that can be turned off or on. It is up to the driver to decide. Some of the drivers here in OZ though I would think need these features.
You may think these are adding complexity just like people who thought electric windows were a complex feature that weren't necessary, the same who believed power steering was complex feature, ABS, airbags, electric seats, LED lights, Xenon, etc.

Competition brings innovation. In the end the consumer wins.

As I said you can stay in the past, I am looking forward to seeing what Ford global can do. This new Focus is just the start and it is only going to get better. It is time for Ford AU to step into the 21st century and begin introducing value for money with their cars, don't need to re invent the wheel the technolgies are already there.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by stevz

Most of its tech features are just w@nk factor anyway and serve no real purpose, whilst adding significant cost and complexity.

Unfortunately me and most of my generation like **** factor in their cars, especially considering a Zetec model in this thing would be about $10K cheaper than example an XR6 Falcon which has nothing in the way of gizmos.

Originally Posted by DJM83

I was more refering to the tech in the car, it is leaps and bounds ahead of ANYTHING FoA have

Which is why I won't be buying a Falcon unless they fix that problem.

Does the Falcon even have auto up/down windows yet? Can you press the unlock button twice and all the windows go down/press the lock button twice and all the windows go up?

[FordFan1]

I reckon the Radar Cruise Control system is awesome, I use it all the time on my Mondeo on a busy highway and it works a treat. Also love the keyless entry/start system. It would be fantastic if Falcon had these features. Falcon is an awesome car just needs to move with the times I think.