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Ford Focus ZX3
2882 messages, Last post on Jan 19, 2013 at 12:59 PM
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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Hatchback
#2214 of 2882 Re: Focus vs. Matrix by vadp
Jul 19, 2002 (10:26 pm)
Thanks for the very interesting comparo.BTW, regarding the diesels. Here is a repost from the "Jet":
FORD DIESEL FOCUS POSSIBLE FOR NORTH AMERICAN MARKET
DEARBORN, Mich., July 16, 2002 – Ford Motor Company seriously is studying plans to offer a diesel-powered Ford Focus for sale in North America within the next five years as a way to deliver to customers more powertrain choices and even greater fuel economy improvements.
Diesel technology has advanced in recent years to the point that diesel engines compare very favorably with gasoline engines on many consumer-driven attributes, such as noise, performance and emissions. Today’s modern diesel is clean, quiet and nearly odorless.
“Ford Motor Company strongly supports introducing cleaner, more fuel-efficient diesel vehicles in key markets around the world, including North America, when the time is right,” Nick Scheele, Ford Motor Company chief operating officer, said during the kickoff of the company’s 2003 Product and Technology Week media program.
While Ford believes diesels should be part of the North American product mix, the company is not seeking any changes in emissions standards to deliver diesel cars to North American consumers. Ford will provide diesel light vehicles only if a way is found to meet the EPA’s stringent Tier II emissions rules.
Achieving Tier II emissions standards requires further improvements in engine and fuel systems and exhaust aftertreatment technology. Low sulfur diesel fuel (15 parts per million or less), which will be available in the U.S. in mid-2006, is a critical requirement for these emissions controls. A way to manage nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, critical for Tier II compliance, also needs to be achieved. Among the solutions being studied is a NOx absorber type catalyst and a co-fueling of diesel and urea, an ammonia-based compound, to reduce NOx emissions. Ford is working to develop an aftertreatment technology that will reduce the issues surrounding particulate matter and health concerns.
“Ford understands that to be accepted as personal use vehicles in the U.S., diesels will need to overcome some remaining public and regulatory concerns, including noise, odor, smoke, potential toxic emissions and inconvenient fueling locations,” says Dick Baker, corporate technical specialist for Ford’s Advanced Diesel Systems group. “Ford remains committed to helping solve these concerns.”
Ford currently is testing a diesel Focus using the co-fueling system as a way to achieve Tier II standards. This system uses a very efficient NOx reduction catalyst and a soot-trapping particulate filter. The catalyst uses the ammonia to remove NOx from the exhaust. The chemical urea, in a water solution, is a convenient way to provide ammonia and is automatically sprayed on to the catalyst as needed. The urea – stored on board in a small bottle, like windshield washer fluid – is odorless and non-flammable.
In addition, Ford is testing a small U.S. fleet of Focus TDCi vehicles – the same cars now on sale in Europe – to help build awareness and demonstrate improvements made in diesel technology.
Diesel technology offers advantages in fuel efficiency in the range of 25 percent to 30 percent over a gasoline vehicle. This fuel economy improvement translates into a 20 percent to 25 percent reduction in CO2.
Ford’s highly acclaimed Focus TDCi in Europe is powered by a 1.8-liter Ford Duratorq Turbo Diesel Common-Rail Injection (TDCi) engine, which benefits from second-generation common-rail diesel injection technology. The common-rail technology uses a high-pressure reservoir to deliver fuel to the cylinders via computer-controlled solenoid-actuated injectors. A high output rotary fuel pump maintains fuel pressure in the reservoir to instantly deliver the fuel demand of the engine.
Ford’s advanced common-rail diesel fuel system provides superior vehicle performance, drive quality, and fuel economy with substantially reduced noise, while also providing the complex injection control needed for future emission reduction systems.
The Focus TDCi has a top speed of 120 mph and is capable of 0-60 mph acceleration in 10.7 seconds. The fuel economy and range of the vehicle are comparable to a gasoline hybrid, but with a higher continuous torque. Fuel economy is up to 30 percent higher compared to a traditional gasoline engine product.
Ford offers a full range of vehicles powered by fuels other than gasoline, including natural gas, propane, ethanol, electricity and diesel. In addition, a hybrid electric version of the Ford Escape SUV is being readied for sale in 2003 and a fuel cell version of the Ford Focus will begin low-volume production by 2004.
#2216 of 2882 Back from the repair shop by clayman1000
Jul 20, 2002 (3:51 pm)
Afetr being rear ended last week I took my lightly damaged ZX3 into the repair shop and had both bumpers replaced and painted. LOOKING GOOD!I wanted it to look good for possible trade-in values.
But was stopped dead in my tracks when I realized the ZX5 will have the SVT treatment. The best of all worlds.
Anyone know when that will be released?
In the mean time I had to rent a replacement and got stuck with a Saturn S series Sedan again. I cannot express how awful this car is in comparison to the ZX3.
I was so happy to get my Z back.
The seating is much higher, the ride more quiet from the road and the engine.
The fit and finish is MUCH nicer. The rear trunk of the Saturn is a cheap piece of tin.
I guess they are cheaper made for fleet sales??
Good God, what a bad way to advertise your car.
Anyway,
still considering a Cruiser or a Forrester and now the ZX5 SVT. Head spinning...
#2217 of 2882 5-door SVT Focus by vadp
Jul 20, 2002 (6:08 pm)
Ford to add high-performance version of five-door FocusJuly 16, 2002
BY BILL KOENIG
BLOOMBERG NEWS
DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Co. plans to add a high-performance version of its five-door Focus car this year as the second-largest automaker tries to boost sales by expanding its lineup of small-volume vehicles.
Ford will begin selling the five-door SVT Focus in the U.S. this fall as a 2003 model, spokesman Mark Schirmer said. The company wants to keep the price under $20,000, he said, declining to disclose the price. Ford already sells a three-door SVT Focus and expects to produce a total of about 12,000 three- and five-door 2003-model SVT Focus cars, Schirmer said.
The SVT stand for Special Vehicle Team, which develops more powerful, high-performance versions of Ford's cars and light trucks. The group also is developing a new version of the GT40 sports car for sale next year. Ford executives have said the high-performance models boost the automaker's image, helping with sales of its entire lineup.
#2218 of 2882 I've heard October... by silver_bullet
Jul 21, 2002 (6:47 am)
... for the SVT ZX5, but I've barely seen more than a handful of three door SVT Focii at local dealerships. It seems a bit premature to start crowing about the five door when the three door has barely made an appearance.#2219 of 2882 Insurance by clayman1000
Jul 22, 2002 (6:59 am)
Will the Insurance cost be much higher with the 'high performance' ZX5?Also, does the SVT use high test gas?
Trying to keep my costs down, might purchase a new home in the fall.
#2220 of 2882 Premium recommended by silver_bullet
Jul 22, 2002 (7:08 am)
With its higher compression ratio, I'm pretty sure the SVT requires premium fuel if you want the advertised performance. I've heard that the Civic Si really needs premium as well, despite Honda's claim for regular gas.#2221 of 2882 Premium Required by scootch
Jul 22, 2002 (9:08 am)
"Premium Required" is written on the gas gauge my 3-dr SVT Focus. It was "recommended" on my Neon R/T to get full performance but you could (and I did) use 87. The SVT doesn't give you that option. Like Silver Bullet I have seen very few SVTs. In fact I've yet to see another one on the road. The only ones I've seen (and darn few at that) have been on dealer lots. Fun car.#2222 of 2882 zx3 fire! by archangel74
Jul 22, 2002 (2:45 pm)
Does anyone know about the ford focus fire investigation? I just had my 2001 zx3 catch fire on thursday!I was driving home from work, about 10-15 minute driving non stop on the interstate, and had just pulled off and was almost home. about two blocks from my apts the electrical system started to die, followed by the transmission lurching, followed by the engine trying to die. I saw white clouds coming from under the hood and coming in the vents. I rolled downhill the remaining two blocks to my parking lot and popped the hood cursing that my car had overheated on a 10 minute trip, even if it was 97 out and i had the AC on full blast. but instead of steam I get a a bunch of flames!!! scorched thumb too. got fire extinguisher from apt office and put it out and called it in.
i think something electrical burned out/overheated (because the power seemed to die first before the engine sputtered), or the mass airflow sensor blew. The fire seemed centered between the air intake box, the battery, and engine. took out my air intake from the intake to the filter box to the airflow sensor to the engine intake, melted my battery, melted some wires in and around the electronic ignition, scroched and cracked the paint on my hood, singed the headlight, burnt the hood liner, smoke got sucked through the air system into the car, probably in the upholstery too, and since it was the air intake, who knows what got sucked into the engine.
called into ford after my dealer wouldn't tow because "warranty repairs need to be called into ford for tows" and had it towed to another, closer dealer.
called up ford and they took my description and forwarded it to their legal/customer care dept, so they say. called insurance guy of course, in a saturn rental that the insurance is picking up right now.
I'm hoping they pay for it. Since if was trying to tell Ford that it lurched and hit a car and i wanted them to pay, yeah sure they could say "well we don't really know this isn't you trying to pass off a mistake on us"...but a fire? no way could that happen!
Also there is an investigation on this. Check out the NHTSA website for action # PE 02-032.
John
#2223 of 2882 Kona rack by swdzx3
Jul 25, 2002 (10:28 am)
The Kona package rack is Ford part# YS4Z*6155100*AA. List was $188.80. This is the rack only,no bike carriers included. Made by Mont Blanc auto racks and carriers in Switzerland under contract to Ford. Mont Blanc supplies the Volkswagen factory racks. You might try Thule rack systems for accessories,especially for the fairing(Thule #555)that you'll want when you hear the wind noise! It bolts to the factory installed mounting points under the door seals. Easy to install although you have to dig out the putty that seals the rear threads. A thread tap will help. It won't scratch the hatch or body as pads are supplied to protect the cars' paint.To POST a message, please
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