MKII

Swedish article with artist rendering of the new S60 http://www.teknikensvarld.se/_internal/cim...azhdxwxuex.jpeg http://www.teknikensvarld.se/_internal/cim...azhdxwxulv.jpeg Translated- For a small, exclusive crowd of auto journalists, Volvo’s design manager Steve Mattin shared plans for the “new Volvo.” The big news is the disclosure of the design vision for the next generation S60 The new V70 and XC70 large wagons will continue to be the best sellers for Volvo. But just the opposite of what was believed for the sporty little S60 (I assume they mean the thought it would be cancelled). The design manager showed sketches of how the S60 will become more personal and confidant. The change is obvious. We have our own pictures to illustrate Mattin’s vision of Volvo’s future. The face is what greets people first . Like it or not, the first impression registers with you. This is the same with cars, one sees it, takes it in and remembers it says Steve Mattin. What is the new design DNA? It is clear that it shares much with the new XC60 The front grill will be accentuated further, the hoods characteristic diagonal V-form is strengthened via narrow oblong lights positioned in a slightly different angle just outside the grill uniting the sides with the front. Much like the new V70 and XC70 the S60 will have the more spaced out version of the Volvo name on its upper trunk lid. The new S60 is scheduled to be presented sometime in 2009 to 2010. We will have a longer article with preliminary engine information in July 2007. http://www.teknikensvarld.se/nyheter/070327_volvos60/

Mark Fields was drummed up as some kind of marketing guru. Has he helped? Quote from Peter Horbury in a business week article- "Fields, in fact, is the first executive at Ford in modern memory who has brought "a true marketing mindset to the top of the company," as Ford's chief North American designer, Peter Horbury, puts it. " http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflas..._9292_db035.htm

http://video-tvl.brainlane.com/play.asp?fi...76.wmv?source=1

For those interested you can configure the new Mondeo on Fords UK site http://www.ford.co.uk/ Dimensions and Capacities Metric Mondeo Exterior 4-Door Overall length (mm) 4731 Overall width (mm) 1812 Overall height (mm) 1429 Wheelbase (mm) 2754 Luggage compartment-vda (litres) 500 Curbweight (kg) 1383 (6 cylinder sedan) NA Fusion Length (mm) 4,832 Width (mm) 1,835 Height (mm) 1,453 Wheelbase (mm) 2,727 Curbweight (kg) 1,429 Trunk Size (L) 447

Thanks Nick. Just wanted to note some of the noted changes in recent articles. Engineers reworked and improved the strength of the roof structure, the package tray, the connections between the rear floor and the underbody and the door systems. A stiffened cross-car beam under the instrument panel connects the car side-to-side . The front stabilizer bar diameters have been increased over 2007, from 18 millimeters to 20 millimeters on the 15-inch wheel tuning package, and from 21 millimeters to 22 millimeters on the 16-inch wheel tuning package. All-new brake system for 2008. New aluminum calipers save weight and improve brake pedal feel. The brakes are 10.9-inch vented discs in front and 11.0-inch drums in back An all-new air intake system, cooling and exhaust system are designed to improve the powertrain's smoothness, efficiency and response. We spent many hours in the wind tunnel developing the shapes of exterior parts like mirrors and front openings, spoilers, and the shape of the air deflectors under the car. There was a lot of work done to improve aerodynamics and reduce noise inside the car." At a simulated 80 mph in the wind tunnel, the previous Focus had 28.8 sones of wind noise while the new model recorded 25.6, an eleven percent reduction in wind noise. In a test of road noise (boom, rumble, roar), decibel levels inside Focus dropped from 70 dBA to 67.3. New acoustic windshield and thicker side glass in the front doors (increased in thickness from 3.2 to 3.8 millimeters). Closed-cell foam for the dash panel seal, as opposed to open-cell foam material, also helps reduce wind noise. Fluffy cotton-like sound-deadening material has been added to the door trim panels, C-pillars and the flat shelf behind the rear seats to reduce cabin noise, and the sealing around the side mirrors is redesigned. An all-new climate control system that is more efficient with improved cooling and heating . Redesigned HVAC system results in a climate control system that is quieter, lighter in weight and more effective in cooling and heating the cabin. Like you say on paper these changes look major. especially items that are as they say "all-new" designs.

What is really interesting is it was not too long after this article, when Ford announced Mark Fields as President of the Americas (sorry if the title is incorrect)articles appeared stating that the 2008 Focus would remain on the C170 platform. So within a few months the C170/C1 ruse started again, which brings me to my perception again for the said announcement of the 2010/11 MKIII platform making it to the North American market. As I noted previously, the amount of money Ford had to have spent on the changes for the 2008, just the engineering changes alone,never mind appearance exterior and interior change costs, for a 3 year run, along with forecasted future financial loses does not make any sense how Ford expects to be able to afford the MKIII by 2010/11. Not when Ford has in the past used the too-expensive for NA market card. I hope Ford NA proves me wrong.

Maybe my memory is wrong, but recall reading a article back in 2004 interview with Phil Martens stating Ford's North American Focus will join the C1 architecture in approximately three years when all Volvo, Ford, Mazda, and Mercury small cars and crossovers adopt this platform. Cost concerns kept Ford from launching the 2005 Focus on this platform this year.

As impressive as all the technical upgrades Ford NA has done with this car (which boggles my mind for a 3 year run $$$$$spent) , appearance wise I have no confidence that the designers had/have any idea what to do with this thing. The concept displayed at the recent auto shows, makes it very apparent the designers were totally lost on which direction to go as far as exterior. IMO it does not resemble what the world considers to be what a Focus looks like. Also the dash execution copies the new Escape so much so, it gives the new Focus a very truck like look inside. But the seats do look rather good. Do any others here doubt that the C2/MKIII Focus will make it to Noth America. Reason I ask is when reading all the upgrades and engineering Ford has done to the 2008 C170, leaves me thinking that Ford spent huge amounts of $'s, hence the same excuses will be read again in 2009 not to expect the 2010 C2/MKIII Focus because of the high costs on redesigned 2008, plus the high costs to certify the MKIII for North America. you know the same stuff we read from Ford press releases for the MY2005, and now the MY2008.

http://www.japanesecarfans.com/spyphotos/6....002.mini1L.jpg http://www.japanesecarfans.com/spyphotos/6....002.mini4L.jpg http://www.japanesecarfans.com/spyphotos/6....002.mini2L.jpg Artists rendering http://bp0.blogger.com/_XEEIzU0UA1M/RcLcBJ...s400/masda2.jpg

Ford does have a vehicle pretty close to your requirements, Volvo S60R, its only 300hp, and AWD. Have you test drove this vehicle?

Hmm, C170 for MY2008

In Canada these prices are for loaded variants includes taxes Fusion SEL V6 $40132.56 Fusion SEL V6 AWD $42526.56 Honda EX-L V6 Navi $43502.40 Camry XLE V6 $44192.10 Mazda6 GT V6 $43861.50 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 $35186.10 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE $45324.12 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Spec-B $53112.60 Chevy Malibu SS $40162.20 Myself I would not pay these prices for any of these vehicles in this segment, as they are all competing in the entry luxury segment. In base trim level, the Fusion SE is very good value, but SEL trim, that's when to me the Fusion starts to appear mediocre, but then again the competition is not too exciting once in the $30,000+ range either. Ford NA is on the right track with the Fusion, but everytime I drive this car, I always come away with the perception of Ford doing an 80% effort, whereas if they just could change this attitude and go the distance and finish it up at 100%. The dynamics are there, but just too many little bits are underwhelming. Ford NA needs to realize consumer perception of quality and value is higher then they think, hence all the comments of mediocre etc.

Excellent post!! Interior pics MY2006 Fusion http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/da...n_InteriorA.jpg MY2002 Mondeo with 120,000 miles on odometer http://img1.auto24.ee/auto24/560/228/6658228.jpg

At least your C1 door panel has some substance to it when compared to the NA C170 doors.

So how does Ford NA ever get to the point of people paying for a good product from Ford? How does Ford NA get a reputation in NA in B cars? You figure it out RJ, I am sure you are capable of some forward brain thinking.

Yeah like the NA consumer is eating up Ford NA designs now right If you read between the lines in the article from Geneva, its a guarantee NA again will be offered a very watered down, de-contented, cheap, Americanize version of whatever the rest of the world receives. And the naysayers and journalists will have another hay-day trouncing Ford NA somemore, as well as the consumer having excuses why to stay away from Ford showrooms. And all the not made in America Ford people can name another Ford of Europe designed vehicle that fails in North America.

But you keep saying "better is not better" or will not help perception of Ford NA cars. So what will change perception some kind of fluffy propaganda?

Thats much to logical for corporate thinking dontcha know.

If the rock star CEO Mulally really cares about workers morale, he should take his 6million stock option bonus and share that with his soldiers, betcha that would make a difference.

You are wasting your time, North American Ford consumers have no interest in having better Ford vehicles. They seem to prefer mediocre for some unknown reason, and get quite feisty when anyone makes mention of having better Fords.

Because its too good to be known as a Ford in North America.

Mondeo slide show from Geneva http://picasaweb.google.nl/MirandaGijsen/F...231181297440642 What a beautiful vehicle!! Just a pity its too beautiful for Norh America

If any new Ford is called the Escort it should be the 2008 Focus, too save any credibility the Focus name has left in North America.

Canadian S/CUV sales just as a comparo CX-9 counted 80 sales, Acadia 237, Outlook only 61. 332 X5s vs 310 MDXs vs 282 RXs 232 RDXs vs 204 X3s vs 445 CX-7s. 1,132 Santa Fes vs 1,108 CR-Vs vs 708 RAV4s vs 1,134 Escapes vs 420 Edges vs 893 X-Trails vs 270 Muranos vs 916 Equinox vs 777 Torrents vs 487 VUEs.

But it is too easy to presume. Old habits are hard to break. My point is not with equipment,be it standard or optional, it is what Ford NA will change as far as interior materials used with seat cloth, switch gear, brakes, audio/speakers, seating tracks/rail etc. All the stuff Ford NA can and will use cheaper bits, because they(Ford) think nobody notices.