Biker16 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 Still control blade IRs A wider Focus? Great idea. A Lincoln could be derived from that IMHO. it's is strange that the body of the mule is wider, but the track looks unchanged I never thought the focus needed to be any wider. Focus 71.8 vs Fusion 72.9in but...... the Floorpan could be widened to improve interior space while moving the doors and fenders further inward to maintain width. maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 it looks as if they moved the engine rearward, and finally removed the platforms ability to fit a V6, this should save weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 You can tell from that shot they moved the engine backwards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 You can tell from that shot they moved the engine backwards? heres a shot from a 2013 from above...it looks like it did get pushed back a bit going by the new valve cover on the engine...I wonder what the hell that big red thing is....battery pack or electric motor or something? http://wildsau.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/engine-bay3.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 They've also apparently re-engineered the strut mounts. They don't look like the current model. I'm wondering if they've merged the front engine cradle/suspension/firewall spacing with revised CD4. Of course, that doesn't mean that you'd use the same stampings for everything, but it would streamline the engineering process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grbeck Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 The current car doesn't need more width. It could, however, use another 2-3 inches of rear-seat legroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 The current car doesn't need more width. It could, however, use another 2-3 inches of rear-seat legroom. It wouldn't hurt, but revising the console for more front legroom is a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 .I wonder what the hell that big red thing is....battery pack or electric motor or something? Engine diagnostics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 It wouldn't hurt, but revising the console for more front legroom is a must. Agree, even if is just to allow for easier entry/exit. Every time I get into my 2015, I smack my knee on that stupid pointed edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) When you add width and leg room to a compact it basically becomes a small mid sized car. Ford has to make up its mind with what it wants to do with Fiesta and Focus, either keep them as large subcompact and large compact cars or make them bigger to become small Compact and small mid sized cars. Edited February 24, 2016 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 For the US I think you could add a couple of inches to both Focus and Fiesta width and length no problem, but I don't know if that would have adverse impacts to other regions since these are global vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKII Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) Engine bay in this mule looks the same as the current Focus. 1st image is a closer pic of the mule's engine bay 2nd is a 2015 1.0 EB engine bay Edited February 24, 2016 by MKII Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 Strut towers are different and the front crossmember appears to be very different. Keep in mind that is probably not the final design of the powerpack, so there may be a mix of current and 2018 bits and accessories (i.e. coolant overflow bottle, cam covers, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Engine bay in this mule looks the same as the current Focus. 1st image is a closer pic of the mule's engine bay 2nd is a 2015 1.0 EB engine bay You can't tell by the angle of the image, ither way I'd expect changes to the engine packaging , to save weight and improve performance. They've also apparently re-engineered the strut mounts. They don't look like the current model. I'm wondering if they've merged the front engine cradle/suspension/firewall spacing with revised CD4. Of course, that doesn't mean that you'd use the same stampings for everything, but it would streamline the engineering process. It makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 For the US I think you could add a couple of inches to both Focus and Fiesta width and length no problem, but I don't know if that would have adverse impacts to other regions since these are global vehicles. For Focus sedan, there is room to grow because China and US market (coincidentally, the two places where Focus sedan sells in large numbers) both desire larger compact sedan. But for Focus hatch, any directional growth will start to limit the appeal of the model in Europe as Focus is already one of the largest compact C-segment hatchback. The solution may be to break them up... like how VW has Golf (hatchback only) and bigger Jetta (sedan), or Hyundai has i30 (hatchback only) and bigger Elantra (sedan), or the outgoing Euro Civic (hatchback only) and bigger US Civic (sedan). But I'm not sure that is the direction Ford is headed (and of course some are headed in the opposite direction like Honda, which is bring the two Civics back together). As for Fiesta... I think it's definitely time for Ford to make it 2 different models. Keep Fiesta (hatchback) as is for mature markets that prefers premium subcompact cars. And replace the sedan to a different model that is sized appropriately (for lack of better term, I shall refer to it as "B+" segment) like Nissan Versa, Skoda Rapid, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio etc. The slightly larger "B+" model can also form the basis of a larger CUV to replace the EcoSport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpvbs Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 There is something going on behind the front bumper on both sides of the grill. Sensors behind some panels? Autonomous? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 There is something going on behind the front bumper on both sides of the grill. Sensors behind some panels? Autonomous? Doubt it. It's more likely BLIS or active park assist sensors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpvbs Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Doubt it. It's more likely BLIS or active park assist sensors It seems like a fairly large sensor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Don't let the hole in the cladding fool you. A. That's what it's meant to do. B. The opening needs to be big enough for the sensor to function properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKII Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 For Focus sedan, there is room to grow because China and US market (coincidentally, the two places where Focus sedan sells in large numbers) both desire larger compact sedan. But for Focus hatch, any directional growth will start to limit the appeal of the model in Europe as Focus is already one of the largest compact C-segment hatchback. The solution may be to break them up... like how VW has Golf (hatchback only) and bigger Jetta (sedan), or Hyundai has i30 (hatchback only) and bigger Elantra (sedan), or the outgoing Euro Civic (hatchback only) and bigger US Civic (sedan). But I'm not sure that is the direction Ford is headed (and of course some are headed in the opposite direction like Honda, which is bring the two Civics back together). As for Fiesta... I think it's definitely time for Ford to make it 2 different models. Keep Fiesta (hatchback) as is for mature markets that prefers premium subcompact cars. And replace the sedan to a different model that is sized appropriately (for lack of better term, I shall refer to it as "B+" segment) like Nissan Versa, Skoda Rapid, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio etc. The slightly larger "B+" model can also form the basis of a larger CUV to replace the EcoSport. I read a North American document dated June 2015 that stated rather than the next‐generation Fiesta the C484 program will be a Small Car to replace the Fiesta at Cuautitlán. This C484 is not the new EcoSport B515. This document also mentions the timings for next Ford Escape (C482) have been adjusted at both Cuautitlán and Louisville Truck with SOP December 2018. I was surprised to see that the next Escape is planned at Cuautitlan along with Louisville. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 I read a North American document dated June 2015 that stated rather than the next‐generation Fiesta the C484 program will be a Small Car to replace the Fiesta at Cuautitlán. This C484 is not the new EcoSport B515. This document also mentions the timings for next Ford Escape (C482) have been adjusted at both Cuautitlán and Louisville Truck with SOP December 2018. I was surprised to see that the next Escape is planned at Cuautitlan along with Louisville. Would you happen to have a link to that document? I'm very curious to read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 I read a North American document dated June 2015 that stated rather than the next‐generation Fiesta the C484 program will be a Small Car to replace the Fiesta at Cuautitlán. This C484 is not the new EcoSport B515. This document also mentions the timings for next Ford Escape (C482) have been adjusted at both Cuautitlán and Louisville Truck with SOP December 2018. I was surprised to see that the next Escape is planned at Cuautitlan along with Louisville. Anything to read into that Fiesta's program code beginning with a C instead of a B? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 There is something going on behind the front bumper on both sides of the grill. Sensors behind some panels? Autonomous? The center area is the Stop/Go Adaptive Cruise/high speed auto brake radar, low speed is usually camera based, camera is consulted for high speed but first indications come from this sensor. It is already available on the current Euro Focus. Ford managed to actually center the sensor on the Focus/Escape class of cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Anything to read into that Fiesta's program code beginning with a C instead of a B? It sounds like they could be dividing the C platform and building them together. New Fiesta/Ecosport on small C and Focus/Escape on large C. They could still keep the B class Ecosport and Fiesta for MOW if that makes sense. That makes more sense to me than having 3 B/C utilities (new B Ecosport, small C, large C Escape). This would also allow plant capacity to shift more easily and I presume would allow Louisville to build both utilities if necessary. Still just speculation though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 (edited) I read a North American document dated June 2015 that stated rather than the next‐generation Fiesta the C484 program will be a Small Car to replace the Fiesta at Cuautitlán. This C484 is not the new EcoSport B515. This document also mentions the timings for next Ford Escape (C482) have been adjusted at both Cuautitlán and Louisville Truck with SOP December 2018. I was surprised to see that the next Escape is planned at Cuautitlan along with Louisville. So I guess a bigger "B+" Fiesta for North America is not just my figment of imagination... C-platform Fiesta will presumably means a larger car that is more aligned in size with Hyundai Accent or Nissan Versa rather than Hyundai i20 or Nissan March which are closer in size with the current Fiesta. A second assembly location for Escape in NAFTA zone has long been discussed and Cuautitlan does have the most room left to take on something like that. Edited February 25, 2016 by bzcat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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