View Full Version : Interesting news
I found out at the dealer the other day that the new "3" will actually be a "Ford Focus" underneath. Isn't this interesting?
How can Mazda do this?
Umm... because Ford owns like 25-33% of Mazda. It will share it's platform with a Volvo(another Ford subsidiary) model as well.
It should be the contrary, The Focus will be a Mazda3. Because the motor is develop by mazda team. suspension is different, body also. Then both those cars will be neet.
wongpres
07-30-2003, 11:55 AM
The Mazda3, next generation Ford Focus and next generation Volvo S40 series will share 60% of parts. But all of these shared components are beneath the skin, and everything customers see, hear, and touch has 0% sharing.
The platform is brand new and was a joint design by all 3 companies. 30 engineers from each company met in Cologne, Germany for over 2 years to design it. The idea was to incorporate the strengths of each company and save development costs at the same time.
Hence, Ford's main role was suspension and driving dynamics. Volvo's main role was structurals and safety. Mazda's main role was gasoline engines, powertrain, and exhaust.
So this is the story - it's up to you whether you think this is better or worse than a 100% Mazda design.
wongpres, for my part, I think all cars (M3, Volvo s40 and Focus) will benefit from this joint venture.
By the way, since You have lots of infos about the mazda3, do you know what would be the 0-60 (or 0-100km)? Could it be like the Mazda6 around 9seconds?
wongpres
07-30-2003, 05:10 PM
Originally posted by gib
wongpres, for my part, I think all cars (M3, Volvo s40 and Focus) will benefit from this joint venture.
By the way, since You have lots of infos about the mazda3, do you know what would be the 0-60 (or 0-100km)? Could it be like the Mazda6 around 9seconds?
The documentation I have lists the 0-100km times as N/A.
For my own curiosity, I have calculated the hp/weight figure of the Mazda3 2.3l compared to the Mazda6 3.0l, and in that comparison the Mazda6 beats the crap out of the Mazda3. The Mazda3 2.3l will beat the Mazda6 2.3l though, because the Mazda3 is lighter.
Ford's main role was suspension and driving dynamics
I find this funny as hell since Ford hasn't released a good handling car in it's life.
Look at the mustang.....what a joke, and that's their performance car. The Focus is so so.
wongpres
07-30-2003, 09:13 PM
Originally posted by newf
Ford's main role was suspension and driving dynamics
I find this funny as hell since Ford hasn't released a good handling car in it's life.
Look at the mustang.....what a joke, and that's their performance car. The Focus is so so.
Actually the Focus' control-blade rear suspension is significantly more advanced & better than the TTL in the Protege. In fact, the control-blade is such a masterpiece that VW made a direct copy of it in their new-generation C-car (the first of which is the Golf). Rumours have it that BMW is also copying it for the new 1-series.
And it's version 2 of the control-blade suspension in the Mazda3/FocusII/Volvo S40 platform. In the first European review of the Ford Focus C-Max (first production model with this new platform), the reviewers said that the ride and handling simply blew away it's 2 primary competitors.
Don't mistake Ford Europe and Ford USA, the European offerings like the Mondeo and euro-spec Focus are much different than what's offered from Ford USA (which really de-tuned the N. American-spec Focus). All the european comparos have concluded that the current euro-spec focus and Mondeo handle better than the current euro-323 and Mazda6 respectively.
Having Ford-Europe do the ride and handling is not a bad thing, it's when Ford USA puts their 'magic' into it that things happen.
mazdaspeedpower
07-30-2003, 10:21 PM
I've heard the Mazda 3 is running a ford motor, similar to the focus motor.Please do not quote me on that, because I'm not really sure of what I'm talking about, but I'm pretty sure that the 3 is the first Mazda that Ford ahs been allowed to get its R&D boys into, and work on part of it(besides calloway with MSP). But I think it will still be good, because think about it, Mazda realiability, with Ford power, it will be interesting wheather or not it works out for them, won't it???
msubullyfan
07-30-2003, 10:27 PM
Does anyone have pictures of the Ford/Volvo versions of the vehicle? I've seen the pics of the Mazda3, but can't find anything on the Volvo S40 & Focus.
Alberteaux
07-31-2003, 01:32 AM
Also, the new Ford Futura (the Taurus replacement) will share underpinnings with the 6. It'll come out the 2005 model year.
wongpres
07-31-2003, 08:45 AM
Originally posted by mazdaspeedpower
I've heard the Mazda 3 is running a ford motor, similar to the focus motor.Please do not quote me on that, because I'm not really sure of what I'm talking about, but I'm pretty sure that the 3 is the first Mazda that Ford ahs been allowed to get its R&D boys into, and work on part of it(besides calloway with MSP). But I think it will still be good, because think about it, Mazda realiability, with Ford power, it will be interesting wheather or not it works out for them, won't it???
4-cylinder gasoline engines for the Mazda3/Focus II/Volvo S40 platform are 100% Mazda designed (with Ford's money). Mazda is Ford's 'centre of excellence' for 4-cylinder gasoline engine development. Volvo will make significant modifications to their version though (possibly a turbo, or even their own engine).
All diesel engines for this platform come from the Ford/Peugeot joint venture.
Edit: Just found out, the Volvo S40 engines will be 5-cylinders, some with turbos, and is designed by Volvo.
wongpres
07-31-2003, 08:49 AM
Originally posted by msubullyfan
Does anyone have pictures of the Ford/Volvo versions of the vehicle? I've seen the pics of the Mazda3, but can't find anything on the Volvo S40 & Focus.
Autobild has released 'illustrations' of the Focus hatchback and winter testing spy-shots of the Volvo S40. The rear of the Focus looks like the current one and the front looks like a mini-Mondeo. The Volvo S40 was heavily camouflauged but we will be able to see it soon enough - like the Mazda3, the Volvo is making it's world-debut at IAA Frankfurt.
CruzinAltitude
07-31-2003, 09:11 AM
Shouldnt this thread be renamed . . . "Old News"?
thackl
07-31-2003, 12:26 PM
My Focus rides and handles great. It the rest fo the car that sucks. Mine broke so much that I'm selling it. The MP5 is the replacement.
The focus would easily take my MP5 through a cone course. High speed sweepers feel much better in the MP5 though.
I know Ford-Euro is a lot better..
but....
I still hate FORD
I HATE FORD
DIE FORD DIE!!!
:)
Albino Flash
08-01-2003, 06:35 AM
Did you know that 95% of Ford's are still on the road. The other 5% made it home
CruzinAltitude
08-01-2003, 09:27 AM
Originally posted by Albino Flash
Did you know that 95% of Ford's are still on the road. The other 5% made it home
(laugh) My girlfriend and her father (who is a ford Mechanic) are DIE HARD Ford fans, needless to say Im using this at our next BBQ!!
Tronny
08-01-2003, 09:43 AM
Wow... I never realized that I had so much company when it comes to Ford Bashers. I wont say Ford doesnt have its strengths but Im definitly not a fan of the company. ;)
InitialDMP5
08-01-2003, 07:15 PM
why bash Ford, they pay the bills that the bastard step child couldn't pay. Ford saved Mazda from dying...they saw promise and decided to help them. If anything ford is a caring company, regardless of their products. I don't think that made any sense, as I am writing this leaving work...but who cares--Friday posts are not supposed to make sense
InitialDMP5
08-01-2003, 07:16 PM
why bash Ford, they pay the bills that the bastard step child Mazda couldn't pay. Ford saved Mazda from dying...they saw promise and decided to help them. If anything ford is a caring company, regardless of their products. I don't think that made any sense, as I am writing this leaving work...but who cares--Friday posts are not supposed to make sense
I don't care about Ford. Mazda is making good cars! Please, judge by the crudentials (Protege, Mazda6, rx8: all winners). And, I don't care if there is parts of Ford in the car. Mazda sure know's how to make it better!
fLyPiNoY7
08-01-2003, 09:55 PM
my brother owns the current s40 and i currently have the p5...when we put them next to each other, the distance between front and rear wheels is the same...is the current chassis of the p5 shared with the s40?
wongpres
08-01-2003, 10:16 PM
Originally posted by fLyPiNoY7
my brother owns the current s40 and i currently have the p5...when we put them next to each other, the distance between front and rear wheels is the same...is the current chassis of the p5 shared with the s40?
The current P5 and Volvo S40 are not platform shared.
NegatiZE
08-02-2003, 01:06 AM
Nope, not at all...the S40 is on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Charisma which was never sold here in the US.
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