The family hatchback’s new look has been penned by Martin Smith – the man behind the latest Mondeo and the S-Max people carrier. His mission has been to inject some excitement into the conservative current design, and as our pictures show, Ford fans should have plenty to look forward to.

Unlike the recently revised C-MAX, which simply featured a new front end and a number of tweaks at the rear, the fresh Focus is tipped to benefit from a thorough revamp with many new body panels. Significant improvements are expected inside, with upgraded materials and a more advanced cabin control system – similar to the Human Machine Interface (HMI) which debuted in the Mondeo.
Following its unveiling in left-hand-drive form in September – possibly at the Frank­furt Motor Show – the UK-specification Focus will arrive on main dealer forecourts here before the end of the year.

The compact family Ford aims to fight off the challenge of fresh competition in the shape of the Nissan Qashqai and revised Vauxhall Astra. By committing to a more radical look, designers will try to make the newcomer appeal to a younger audience than the out­going model. With many of its styling cues borrowed from the latest Mondeo and new S-MAX, the Focus’s design is set to turn heads both from the front and rear.

Inside, the newcomer will capitalise on the strengths of Ford’s latest cabin layouts. Practical touches are set to be adopted from the C-MAX in an attempt to give the car even greater versatility.

As we previously reported, plans for a hot RS version of the current Focus have been shelved, but a successor to the potent ST is sure to feature in the future. While there has been no official word on the pro­gress of the RS project, it’s thought the appeal of such a model still burns brightly within Ford – although it’s unlikely that the high-performance flagship will appear in showrooms before 2009.

What is clear is that the revised Focus will herald a period of unprecedented new launches from the brand. Along with the X-MAX compact SUV, Ford will take the wraps off its next-generation Ka and new Fiesta – all within 18 months.
The success of the Focus range is at the heart of this new product plan, and reveals exactly why Ford has taken the decision to facelift the model now.

Expect the line-up to mirror the existing range of three, four and five-door hatches, plus the estate and coupé-cabriolet. Prices have still to be confirmed, but it’s thought they will rise only slightly to keep the car competitive with the likes of the Astra and Volkswagen Golf.

...As current diesel goes out with a bang!

While the revised Focus is around the corner, Ford has just pulled the covers off a new sporty version of the current model that blends ST looks and diesel economy.

Unveiled at the Barcelona Motor Show, this is the WRC-S special edition. Devilish marketing bosses have limited numbers to 666, while every example is signed by Ford rally star Marcus Gronholm. A plaque inside gives each model a unique touch.

Power comes from a standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder 134bhp engine. But WRC and chequered flag decals make the special look like a rally car for the road. The bad news for hot hatch fans is that this Focus will be available only to Spanish buyers. While other European countries will offer similar models, UK bosses have chosen not to bring the ST-styled diesel here.

via autoexpress 

Spys have caught an unknown sedan parked at one of the streets in South Korea. Heavily camouflaged vehicle on the image above is believed to be the new near luxury sedan, Kia has been developing under the VG codename. According to the future timeline, that recently leaked out and marks the release dates of future Kia vehicles, the VG is set to go on sale in the second half of the 2009.

Sporty looking Kia VG is expected to be front wheel drive vehicle, closely related to Hyundai Grandeur -known also as Hyundai Azera in US market. Details are yet to be released, but we can speculate that the VG could be powered by either a 3.8L Lambda V6 engine or a more powerful 4.6 V8 Tau engine when it hits the market.

Follow the jump to see more spy shots of the cloaked in camouflage VG sedan.

via kia-world 

Just minutes after the official photos of the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan and Wagon facelift were posted, some higher resolution photos were released to the media. If you would like to see the new 3 Sedan and Wagon in more detail, then click through the gallery.

Everything stays the same as we mentioned in the previous article, but it is worth pointing out that the many people believe the dual-clutch transmission will be available for the U.S based cars as well.

via bmwblog 

Porsche Panamera to start production in April 2009

Whether you love it or loathe it, Porsche’s new Panamera sedan is due to hit the streets in 2009 and is expected to change the performance sedan market forever. Buoyed by the success of the Cayenne SUV, Porsche’s managers have seen fit to put their famous badge on a four door saloon and according to latest reports the wait on the car could be less than a year.

According to AutoTelegraaf, the Panamera will officially start production in April next year and will make its world debut one month earlier at the Geneva Motor Show. Porsche will be able to build up to 26,000 units per year but the actual production levels will be kept at just 20,000, according to Porsche marketing exec Klaus Berning.

The Panamera will be a large car, stretching more than five meters long and two meters wide and weighing in at 1,800kg. Porsche will launch the Panamera with three engine choices – a 3.6L V6 with 300hp, a 4.8L V8 with 405hp, and a 4.8L Turbo model with approximately 520hp.

Base prices will begin at €80,000 for the V6 RWD model and go up to €125,000 for the Turbo AWD variant. Sales will begin soon after the car’s Geneva debut but only the V8 models will be available at first. You’ll have to wait until 2010 for the V6 model and 2011 for the long-awaited hybrid variant...

via motorauthority 

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