New LV Focus Range

zetec · 27-02-2009, 02:34 PM

Hey everyone,

The LV Focus range has just been launched at Melbourne Motorshow, I really like it! Interior's much nicer than my current LT, a lot more bling and I really like the front end.

Focus Website

ANGEL#3 · 27-02-2009, 03:13 PM

Not to bad, a Zetec would like good. The dash looks alot like the Mondeo.

#Russ#Es# · 27-02-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

Hey everyone,

The LV Focus range has just been launched at Melbourne Motorshow, I really like it! Interior's much nicer than my current LT, a lot more bling and I really like the front end.

Focus Website

Looks like Ford has dropped the Zetec sedan

:

BlackLS · 27-02-2009, 04:23 PM

That was never a problem for you Russ, just make your own!

marg99 · 27-02-2009, 04:36 PM

GO diesel ! For those with poor foot\hand co-ordination they now even offer an automatic model and diesel fuel is cheaper than petrol these days. (117c versus 129c a litre in melbourne)

zetec · 27-02-2009, 05:47 PM

It's no ordinary automatic, it's a twin clutch!!

Tj-zetec · 27-02-2009, 06:39 PM

dagnabbit I've been pipped at the post.

On my way home this arvo I haweyed an LV hatch in what looked like LX trim (smaller alloys, like what's pictured above) in Panther Black turning left into victoria avenue off of windsor road heading towards Power Ford.

Was being driven by a young girl and she was giving it an all mighty flogging too. As she should.

Martyvan · 27-02-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

It's no ordinary automatic, it's a twin clutch!!

Oh, now THAT IS interesting....

#Russ#Es# · 27-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

That was never a problem for you Russ, just make your own!

Why should hatch drivers all get the fun!

Turbodiesel · 28-02-2009, 10:51 AM

I'm glad most of the changes are only cosmetic, the mechanicals are all generally the same.

That way there's no reason for wanting one

Smoke Pursuit · 28-02-2009, 12:22 PM

Mmm nice...

Ford have a very very competitive range of cars now, infact i think Ford has the best small car offering on the market.. Hopefully they will see some benefits soon.

Fast Eddie · 28-02-2009, 02:04 PM

Is the Twin Clutch Transmission exclusive to the Turbo Diesel??

csv8 · 28-02-2009, 02:28 PM

Why no GHIA ? No Ghia in the new Fiesta, now no Ghia in new Focus ???? No Ghia in Falcon either, so nameplate has died ????

Martyvan · 28-02-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Why no GHIA ? No Ghia in the new Fiesta, now no Ghia in new Focus ???? No Ghia in Falcon either, so nameplate has died ????

Not worth bringing in a model that would account for less than 1% of the sales.... Ive only ever seen 1 Fiesta Ghia, and on the road a few Focus Ghia's....

Ives · 28-02-2009, 03:16 PM

The Kinetic design front looks better than the LS/LT's fronts. Well done.

MethodX · 28-02-2009, 09:08 PM

Dun like it myself.
Prefer the LS/LT.

interior is nice though.

jweb · 28-02-2009, 09:47 PM

Love it!!

NZ XR6 · 28-02-2009, 09:49 PM

We've had the LV in NZ for months now. Maybe Ford Oz had a lot of the old model to sell first?

TITO · 28-02-2009, 10:03 PM

I see the four speed gear box is still retained, wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

zetec · 02-03-2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

We've had the LV in NZ for months now. Maybe Ford Oz had a lot of the old model to sell first?

NZ get German sourced Foci, Australia gets South African sourced ones. South Africa only just updated.

zetec · 02-03-2009, 12:39 AM

And yes, Powershift (the Twin Clutch 6 speed auto) is exclusive to TDCi.

NZ XR6 · 02-03-2009, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

NZ get German sourced Foci, Australia gets South African sourced ones. South Africa only just updated.

I am not going to ask why...

Mullett · 02-03-2009, 11:25 PM

Because they don't like us. I did notice a bunch of LV models while I was over there, and that was well before christmas.

-RM.

NZ XR6 · 03-03-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullett

Because they don't like us. I did notice a bunch of LV models while I was over there, and that was well before christmas.

-RM.

Makes sense I guess. Also explains a few other things that Ford AU have done, like not selling the Mk 3 Mondeo.

Rhubarb · 03-03-2009, 03:18 PM

IMHO,

The exterior changes are minor but good.

I think Ford have made some good changes to the interior in terms of making it more attractive to the general market. Personally, I don't mind the current interior (ie LS/LT) and am not a big fan of red illumination but making it red (and hence more Mazda 3 like) is obviously what the general market wants, so I think thats a good business decision for Ford.

I notice the fuel consumption has gone up, presumably due to an extra 44 kgs. Odd that the CL and LX manuals still claim 7.1, but the Zetec manual has gone up to 7.3. They all have the same engine, gearbox etc. The extra 44kgs made all the autos go from 8.0 to 8.2 but on the manuals it apparently only effects the Zetec ????

AG3 · 04-03-2009, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TITO

I see the four speed gear box is still retained, wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

I think the next generation Focus (2011MY?) will get a Powershift transmission even for gasoline/petrol models.

I read that one of the first cars that will use the new Powershift transmission (for gasoline/petrol models) is the 2010/11 USDM Ford Fiesta 1.6. It will use a dry clutch instead of the wet clutch found in the Powershift transmission of the Focus TDCi.

Jondalar · 10-03-2009, 05:08 PM

I expected a more dramatic change than that, just looks like an LT with a prettier face to me. With an all new Mazda 3 coming soon will this be enough? Glad we bought an LT runout now

OMG no Ghia, now I wish we'd got a Ghia lol...

jweb · 10-03-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jondalar

I expected a more dramatic change than that, just looks like an LT with a prettier face to me. With an all new Mazda 3 coming soon will this be enough? Glad we bought an LT runout now

I disagree,The Change is extremely welcome,as for "dramatic" i guess it depends on your definition of "dramatic" the front styling is a huge step away from lT,therefore would it be considered a dramatic change?,the rear has had a mild update which is good,as there was nothing wrong with the rear i think.

The interior has been improved extremely,i hate the low rent appearnce of previous generation focus's and is a main reason i did not buy one,also i never liked the front styling.

Jondalar · 11-03-2009, 12:08 PM

My interpretation of the LV is it's the same car with a prettier face. Mazda's new 3 is a different body completely, that is a dramatic change. Since the 3 and Focus used to be co-developed I expected Focus to keep pace with the 3. I really don't think the new front styling is all that different, just extends the corporate face to the Focus.

Don't get me wrong I do like the new face, but it's not enough difference for a current owner to go "oh I have to have one of those" to my mind.

So why have they dropped the Ghia?

RJO89 · 11-03-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jondalar

So why have they dropped the Ghia?

Didn't sell enough, in short. It was never a popular model. The climate control and a few extra electrics weren't enough to make people pay the added premium they put on the Ghia model.

Just looking at those pictures of the new LV, I really, REALLY like the new instrumental cluster. Does anyone have any idea whether or not the new cluster would fit in a LT model? I assume the housings are the same? And the connection at the back would almost guaranteed to be the same. Then I'm guessing it would just be a matter of forking out for the cluster and the re-programming from Ford.
As I said, I really, REALLY like that new cluster