Jalopnik: Focus

A walkthrough of the Ford Focus ST-R

Raphael Orlove — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

What does Ford do to turn a humdrum Focus into a rasping, race-ready ST-R? Ford Racing gives us our first in-depth look into this turn-key racer, showing off the new dampers, bigger brakes, stiffer bushings, and FIA-spec cage. More »

This ex-con stole his date's car... while they were at the movies!

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST

Worst guy. Cops in Florida say a 27-year-old man stole his date's rental car while they were at the movies. During the movie, the man, Michael Pratt, told the woman he needed to get something in the car, a 2012 Ford Focus. He left, and never came back. More »

The Ford Focus Electric will cost almost $40,000

Justin Berkowitz — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EDT

GreenCarReports points out that Ford has posted pricing information for its new all-electric Focus, and the $39,995 price tag isn't just bad — it's ludicrous. The similarly all-electric Nissan Leaf stickers at $36,050, while the Chevy Volt — which you can actually, you know, drive between cities — runs $39,995. All three vehicles are eligible for a $7500 credit. More »

Consumer Reports smacks Ford Explorer, Fiesta and Focus

Ray Wert — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:01:00 EDT

Although in recent years Ford has made a serious attempt at being the model of American reliability, competing well against Japanese makes that have dominated for decades. But according to Consumer Reports, three models — the new Explorer, Fiesta and Focus — are blemishing that record. More »

The ten bro-tastic Ford SEMA custom cars

Raphael Orlove — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT

Ford is bringing the new Focus to SEMA for the first time this year, so here's a breakdown of the all bro, all the time funky paint and flash rims that are going to be on display. Beefcake Fiestas and Focii abound. More »

This Ford Focus racer will cost you $100,000

Raphael Orlove — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EDT

If you have a thousand Benjamins burning a hole in your pocket, may we recommend heading to your local Ford dealership? Ford has unveiled the track-prepped sibling to its Focus ST sports compact, the ST-R, with a price tag just under a hundred grand. More »

How not to repair your headlight

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EDT

A shattered lens is a sure recipe for headlight failure, but the owner of this Ford Focus has managed to fail even more in their attempt to remedy the problem. More »

Should Ford's electric Focus sound like a starship's toilet?

Justin Hyde — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EDT

Ford says it wants to give the electric version of the 2012 Focus a unique sound, and has posted four possible choices to the intertubes — from faux internal combustion to what could be a toilet flushing on the starship Enterprise. More »

The awesome-sexy-hilarious Nissan ad that Ford's suing over

Justin Hyde — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EDT

The geniuses at Nissan Brazil's ad department dreamed up this ad for the Tiida (aka Versa) showing Ford engineers rapping with bikini-clad models about how much cheddar they make off the overpriced Focus. Ford's response? A lawsuit. More »

2012 Ford Focus: First Drive

Ray Wert — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:01 EST

Fan-boys begged Ford for the international Focus since 2005, when the world got a new model and we got... a refresh. Now it's 2012 and it can finally be yours. But should you still want it? In a word; no. More »

Ford: Focus Electric Will Kick The Chevy Volt's Ass

Ray Wert — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:00:01 EST

Just revealed today at CES, the Focus Electric is Ford's first fuel-free, rechargeable passenger car. More importantly, it will supposedly offer a mile-per-gallon equivalent fuel economy that's better than the Chevrolet Volt and competitive with other battery electric vehicles. How? More »

Ford Focus Electric Will Glow Like Tron

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST

The Ford Focus Electric will debut at this year's Consumer Electronics Show and a teaser photo of it posted on the company's Facebook page shows off a Tron-style glowing outlet orb. The Focus Electric goes on sale next year. More »

Focus On The Future

Ray Wert — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST

The first new 2012 Ford Focus rolls off the assembly line today in Wayne, MI. That bitter taste? Yeah, that's adrenaline from the thoughts of the upcoming 246 HP Focus ST coursing through your reptilian brain. Do want. [via Fiestagrrl] More »

Car Vandal Etches Poe Quote In Literate Graffiti Spree

Justin Hyde — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST

A vandal who gouged 13 vehicles at a Pittsburgh-area dealership decided to use a 2006 Focus as a chalkboard, scrawling the Latin phrase "Nemo me inpune lacessit" on its flank. The recession really hasn't been good for literature majors. More »

4x4 Ford Focus is Perfect Vehicle For the Off-Road Compact Car Enthusiast

Tom Joslin — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST

Car bodies on truck frames are not exactly a new idea. But, as the seller points out, this half-Toyota, half-Ford Focus 4x4 is not just another Camaro on a Blazer frame. More »

Ken Block Wrecks In Practice, It's Gotta Be The Shoes

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:30:00 EST

Despite being the first American to score points in the WRC since the '80s, Ken Block is still working on keeping his powerful Focus RS upright. Exhibit A: This video of him rolling during practice. More »

2012 Ford Focus Pricing Starts At $16,995

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:15:00 EDT

The 2012 Ford Focus starts at $16,995. No word yet on pricing for the sexy Focus ST. More »

2012 Ford Focus: Close Enough

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EDT

The Ford Focus ST is the star of the 2012 lineup, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the new regular sedan and five-door version, or the 2.0-liter putting out 158 hp. No wagon, but beggars can't be choosers. More »

2012 Ford Focus ST: First Live Photos

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:53:00 EDT

The Ford Focus ST is the 247 hp Ecoboosted hot hatch we've demanded Ford to send stateside. Here it is with a sweater vest-less CEO Alan Mulally showing off. More here and here. Center exhaust... yummy. More »

Ford's Next-Gen Airbag Spares Ribs, Looks Like A Saggy Butt

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:01 EDT

The 2012 Focus debuts Ford's next-generation airbag, designed with an internal tether which shapes the bag to reduce pressure and injuries to the ribs and abdomen. It also makes the airbag look like an old lady's bottom. More »

Ford Focus ST: Hatch Hotness Goes Global

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:01 EDT

The endless monotony of boring U.S. hatches got you down? The Ford Focus ST's going to turn that frown upside-down. A 246-hp, sexified, Ecoboosted, five-door probably headed for America. A beautiful sunrise may be breaking over the Carpocalyptic landscape. More »

How Ford Builds The Awesome Focus RS500

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:15:00 EDT

How do you put together the Ford Focus RS500 — the most ass-kickingest compact they've built in two decades? With a music montage, an assembly line, glue, heat guns and 350 hp, of course. More »

Ford Adds Le Mans Paint Jobs To Focus RS

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EDT

Ford's painted five Focus RS hot-hatches to match winning GT40s from its Le Mans victories in the '60s and they're offering 'em up for "exclusive sale." Why? Someone probably got up on the chav side of the bed one morning. More »

Mikko Tosses Focus RS500 Around The 'Ring

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:00:00 EDT

Finnish rally star Mikko Hivronen takes a surprisingly casual quick lap down the Nordschleife in the 350 HP Focus RS500, proving both the Focus and Mikko can keep all four wheels on the ground. More »

Hole In The Piston? A GM LS V8 Will Still Run

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:30:00 EDT

A nutcase over at TheTurboForums is building a turbocharged 5.3-liter, GM LS V8-powered Mk1 Ford Focus and having trouble with his used engine's rough idle and smoking. After compression testing he pulled the head and found this. [TheTurboForums] More »

2010 Ford Focus RS: First U.S. Drive

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:00:00 EDT

The Ford Focus RS is the most lustworthy European hot hatch forbidden to us Yanks. No journalist has dared put all 305 hp of its front-wheel-drive madness down on red, white, and blue soil. Until now. More »

2011 Ford Fiesta: First Drive

Sam Smith — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:01 EDT

At long last, the U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta is here. It is slightly heavier than its European counterpart, but it's still the best small car you can buy in this country. Welcome to the party, America. More »

The Most Hilarious Used Ford Focus Ad Ever

Ray Wert — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EDT

This would have been completely hilarious to us... if only a 2002 Ford Focus with 68,000 miles, a manual transmission, new clutch and a price of $2,000 were that bad a deal. (H/t to Ryan!) More »

Lily Allen Is Hell On Wheels

Sam Smith — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:35:00 EDT

British pop star Lily Allen owns a Ford Focus RS and apparently knows how to use it. She recently appeared on YouTube ripping a handbrake turn in a deserted parking lot. Why can't all foul-mouthed poplets be cackling stunt drivers? More »

VIDEO: Ford Focus RS500 Taunts From Afar

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EDT

Ford Focus RS500: Not fair, not fair, not fair, not fair, not fair. We're making a solemn promise to hound every SVT representative we talk to until we get a US equivalent with the 2011 Ford Focus. More »

Ford Focus RS500: A 350 HP Matte Black Monster

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EDT

As if the Ford Focus RS wasn't truly wicked enough, the product planners at Ford are sending off the current generation with a matte black bang: The 350 HP, limited-edition Ford Focus RS500. More »

Focus in on an SVT Ford for $3,995!

graverobber — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EDT

Myopia being one of the most common eye problems in the world, many people might not be able to focus on today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe contender. That's too bad, because dismissing this SVT Ford would be very shortsighted. More »

Fan-Boy Creates Ken Block Fiesta Rally Cosplay Car

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EDT

Ken Blockcrashed on day two at Rally Mexico with his new Focus WRC. That's okay, because a fan with a rally-bodied Mk1 Focus still thinks Block's Monster Racing ">Fiesta's cool enough to copy anyway. More »

Ken Block's WRC Mexico Crash: Brake!

Sam Smith — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST

Ken Block crashed out of last weekend's World Rally Championship race, bringing an otherwise strong showing to a premature end. We were sad to see him go, but thankfully, YouTube was there to show us how it happened. More »

Four-Cylinder Ecoboost Confirmed In Explorer, Hinted For Focus

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST

Ford confirmed rumors a new Ecoboost four-cylinder will be the fuel economy offering for the new, more car-like 2011 Ford Explorer. More exciting, though, is they're not exactly being coy about dropping it into the 2011 Focus. Hurray! More »

Viva Los Hoons! Jalopnik Reader Buys Mexican Focus RS

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

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Remember the lime green 2010 Ford Focus RS for sale in Mexico? One of our readers bought it and will be importing it to the US. To say we're jealous would be like saying the sun's warm. Complete story below. More »

Your Best Chance To Own A Focus RS In The U.S.

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST

A dealership on the wrong side of the Texas border is offering up a 2010 Ford Focus RS to the first person with $45,000. Of course, you'll still have to do the importing on this bright-green slice of heaven. More »

Ford Goes Electric, Zaps Fun Out Of 2012 Focus

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:25:00 EST

Before Bill Ford pulled the 2012 Ford Focus from an on-stage Demon Hole, he stopped our hearts with big news. An RS!?! No. An announcement regarding Michigan-built all-electric Focii starting next year and hybrid C-platform cars. Sad. More »

2012 Ford Focus: The Comeback Kid

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:02 EST

This is the all-new 2012 Ford Focus. From our perspective it's one of the greatest automotive comeback stories in a long time. After too many indifferent refreshes it's finally, and awesomely, everything enthusiasts have been begging Ford to build. More »

Jay Leno's Reasonably Priced Electric Car A Euro-Spec Ford Focus

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:01:00 EDT

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We knew Jay Leno would do a Top Gear-esque star in a reasonably priced electric car segment. We even knew the car would be an electric Focus. We didn't know it would be an electric-orange Euro-spec model. More »