2008 Ford Focus Sedan and Coupe Preview

Ford's new 2008 Focus, a car that has North Americanentry-level buyers waiting anxiously, is nearly upon us, but it isn't what we initially thought it would be. When the domestic brand pulled the covers off this past January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, we were expecting to see a plethora of hatchbacks, wagons, convertibles and perhaps even a sedan bearing sharp European styling. We expected the second-generation European Ford Focus actually, the one that rides on the internationally acclaimed architecture that also went on to underpin the Mazda3, Volvo C30/S40/V70 and others. As you can see from these photos, this is not what was served up.

Nevertheless, this is still a brand new car, and shares nothing in terms of styling with the first generation and post-facelift model. Rather, Ford has taken a machete to the model range and hacked out all unnecessary models, dropping the count from five to two. All vehicles with odd-number doors are out, which means that there won't be a wagon anymore, or a 3- or 5-door hatchback. Instead, these will be replaced by the Focus Coupe, a new introduction

Ford's new compact is just around the corner, and it's new, new, new. (Photo: Ford)

which is supplemented by a regular four-door sedan.

Up front, the car has some eye-catching lines, with someunusual angles that make up the headlamp clusters, plus a two-bar (not three-bar) grille. A rising window line, plus a tapered character line down the side of the body break any links in character to the previous Focus, and it's all wrapped up very neatly with decorative taillights and a decklid that features the new, italicized Focus logo. The new Focus is slightly more aerodynamic than the outgoing car, making it a quieter cruiser when on the move.

The previous and slightly confusing trim lineup; S, SE, SES, ST, etc. has also been discarded, replaced by a simpler naming scheme that's in line with the rest of the Ford product range. The entry level model is called the SE, while the top of the

Ford's never done a Focus Coupe before, which is fitting as many of its competitors boast this body style. (Photo: Ford)

line version is the SEL. Deluxe and Sport packages further broaden the selection.

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