Updated 2008 Ford Focus

If the images below make us think one thing, it has to be, where did Subaru go so terribly wrong with the design of their new Impreza. How can one design team put together a balanced, aggressive and attractive package like the upcoming Focus and another design team come up with something as bland and pathetic looking as the new Impreza? The Impreza team must have been using cheaper crayons...

Getting back on track, the purpose of this article is to introduce the face-lifted Focus as exclusively revealed by the UK’s Auto Express. We think the current Ford Focus as seen in Australia is still a relatively fresh looking design so it came as a small shock that an update with all new sheet metal and a revised interior is on the way and is expected to make it to UK dealers before the end of this year.

Designed by Martin Smith, the man responsible for the new ‘face of Mondeo’ the revised Focus is a sharp looking bit of kit. Martin’s brief was to inject some excitement into the range and we think he has succeeded. There is now an attractive and modern ‘corporate look’ permeating the Ford range. For the first time in a long while they are starting to look like cars people would want to buy. Recent photos of the Australian Ford Falcon ‘Orion’ due for release in 2008 suggest it will share many design cues with the new Mondeo as well.

Other improvements to the facelifted Focus will include upgraded cabin materials and an advanced cabin control system expected to be similar or the same as the Human Machine Interface (HMI) as debuted in the new Mondeo.

Despite speculation to the contrary Auto Express believes that plans for a performance ‘RS’ version of the current Focus have been shelved for the time being. Apparently the petrolheads at Ford would still like to see the RS badge make a return although this is unlikely to happen before 2009, if at all.

An upgraded Fiesta is due in 2008 as well which will no-doubt share styling cues with the upgraded Focus. All in all, Ford Australia are set to have a dynamic, attractive and very capable range of vehicles in 2008. It should be a good year.

You can click on the links below to see more Ford related articles:

2007 Ford Mondeo video review

2008 Ford Falcon 'Orion' spy photo