The 2010 Detroit Auto Show has just kicked off and Ford's plans for the 2011 Focus have been made official. While others might care more about the 155bhp or new six-speed dual-clutch transmission, we're best pleased by the inclusion of the
MyFord touch control system. This setup was designed to drag the car dash into the modern touchscreen era, and
our comprehensive hands-on revealed it to be a most impressive bit of tech. Two displays flank the analog speed gauge, but the
pièce de résistance is an 8-inch, 800 x 480 optional screen landing in the center of the dash. Endued with a web browser, it'll connect via 3G or 4G modems and concurrently act as a WiFi hotspot. Add in a bunch of forthcoming apps and compatibility with any Bluetooth device, and you've got a tech lover's dream system. The next generation Focus should enter production near the end of 2010, giving us a full year to write a
"vroom, vroom" app for our smartphones.
posted January 12th 2010 4:31AM
Ford is doing amazing things. Ironically, the Japanese car manufactures are having difficulties putting proper iPod compatibility (let alone iPhone) in their cars, even on their luxury lineup.
@pika2000
AHAHAH!!
Silly FORD FOCUS... you think you are a Nissan with that redesigned Nose...
@pika2000
+1 for my crappy Subaru iPod hookup. It may be the worst UI experience ever....
However, I've owned several Fords and would still buy the Subaru.
@mikeweezer
.... and luckily, for the price of several Fords, you can own one Subaru.
I will state again touch input for a car = accident waiting to happen. Since you have to actually look at the screen to touch it instead of just pressing a physical button sometimes even with markers for "blind" use.
I wonder what can be done to improve it.
@kyphem
then do it like infiniti does with multiple ways of input
steering colum, knob/arrows in the center stack, or touch screen
@kyphem You do know that there are voice command and buttons on the steering wheel too, don't you? It's not like the touch screen is the only way to do things.
@Drakkor
Well there is nothing revolutionary or new then, since you still have to use the good old knob on a steering wheel to control the thing... but a nice slot for my Apple tablet would be nice Ford! You listening? its 2010 god dammit!
@pika2000
Voice input is unusable for people with accents, in a loud car with music or many other situations. Buttons on a steering wheel is nothing new and we ALL know how usable or ergonomic it is.
@kyphem: you want the m to prepare their car now for a product that doesn't even exist?
@kyphem Actually my 2006 car uses voice commands and has no problems with accents. You can select from a few languages , and it deals with accents in English rather well unless it's fairly thick. Also, when you press the button to speak your command, the car goes into a listening mode where it mutes the volume on your entertainment system.
@kyphem
you complain about the touch interface and then complain about the buttons on the steering wheel not being innovative. What the hell do you want, Ford gives you virtually every which way to interact with the system and you still dont think its innovative. Please, get a clue. Show me a system thats even close to this thats available with 10 grand of this car.
@kyphem
it scared me that it was my only choice too since I'm really interested in this car, but looking at the high res pic of the interior, the basic controls that I use everyday (climate control and radio) have physical buttons as well.
@kyphem
Yes sort of.
For starters, Ford makes a point of saying that all of the features you'd like to access while the car is moving will be available via the steering wheel. So you don't have to worry about trying to use a touch screen to, say, change the climate in your car while driving. In fact, you won't be able to anyhow: Most of those touch screen features are disabled when the car is in motion.
To your point about voice commands: It may be true that the voice software is not good, but we'll just have to wait and see. I've seen very few voice command problems in cars, but who knows until they release the car?
I'm not sure how they've implemented everything, since I've only seen brief walkthroughs. It could turn out to be a disaster, but it certainly *sounds* like they've thought of the safety issues.
Also, it's important to remember that this is all optional. Don't like it? Don't add it.
I have to admit ... Ford looks like they are heading in the right direction. That new Focus is looking pretty sweet. The interior looks nice too. They definitely listened to a "focus" group. HAHAHAAHA ... ahem.
Now, the question remains ... is it reliable?
@Meekermoloko
I agree, Ford seems to be doing quite well during the downturn. Even with the disastrous 2009, theyve managed to come up with some amazing designs with the Fiesta and now the Focus, along with their partner brand Mazda. The Australian Falcon is also much nicer than the competition and ive always loved the look of the new Mondeo.
GM however are still pushing out the same old crap. Here in Australia under the Holden brand almost everything is a shockingly designed rebadged Daewoo. One look at the Epica makes you want to vomit. They also feel and look cheap while Fords generally give off the well built vibe.
GM will be touting its Volt for another 50 years because its got nothing else...
@Adamgs
hey, its funny you mention the falcon being awesome. i just spent a while in australia and every time i saw the falcon, i literally said "jeez, why can ford australia do this and not ford america?!". the falcon is one awesome looking car...
Hey wait... are they allowed to use the word 'Touch' without asking Apple?
@Douglas
as long as they don't name it the Ford Multi-Touch, they should be safe.
Ford has finally gotten smart and brought there European line-up to America even the design. They have a model in Europe called the Mondeo that even gives the German high brands a run for there money in-terms of cost and reliability. Ford has been growing at a steady rate for awhile. I remember when I first arrived in Germany and all the taxi's where Mercedes and everybody either had a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, or a VW with a few and I mean a few none German models on the street. Now you can find the Polizei driving Ford's for vehicles and see a bunch on the street.
The car looks like a de-branded Volvo. Oh, wait. (Still not happy with what they did with Volvo).
@lecti for the US yes but this design has been on Ford Europe vehicles for a while the Volvo's where actually given this design to make them more appealing. This style Focus has been out for at least 6 years here I was actual surprised when I went home and still saw the original Focus style being used but that was before the US Makers realized they needed to wake up.
I guess I'll ask it then...Will there be a monthly fee to use the 3g/4g? Or will it be similar to Nook and Kindle, where you just pay a large upfront price and call it even?
Sorry tech enthusiasts, but i hope the EU bans this stuff if Ford decides to sell it here. Putting touchscreen interfaces and fancy graphics in front of a driver is just asking for trouble.
@(Unverified) With a heavy heart I have to agree being allowed to surf will driving is just not a good thing especially with young people they would be to being checking youtube instead of driving.
@TheOne people check facebook, not youtube :P
@(Unverified)
Take some personal responsibility for your actions
@(Unverified)
You can't surf while driving. The web browser is disabled while the vehicle is in motion. (It's in one of the links.)
@(Unverified) Putting a steering wheel in front of most drivers is a bad idea most of the time.
@carnodriver
You plug in whatever USB 3G/4G modem you have. I don't think it works with phones that tether however. So if you don't have a 3G/4G modem and the service you will have to pay extra. If you already use one, you wouldn't pay anything extra.
The future of the car is taking shape
@zMastaa
So is the future of insurance companies.
The day they make a car that can drive itself will be the day I'm impressed by internet connectivity through my gauge cluster. Seriously. Sure, there's voice commands, and steering wheel controls, but the whole point of this 'MyFord Touch' concept is visual and physical interaction with the system - otherwise, what is the touch screen for? The idea sounds great on paper, or on a trade show demo, but the practical application means we'll have a lot more distrated drivers on the road, as if we needed any more. Lets face it, the concept isn't 'only' meant for the passengers, or while at a stop light. There are some real concerns with this. A navi system is enough of a distraction without having to process tweets at the same time.
Cool car, though. Ford is really stepping up their game in the design department, at least for the US market. It's about time. However, they can keep MyFord Touch.
This car is so ugly.. but.. but.. i just NEED to have it...
The focus' interior is actually much less awesome..
http://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2011-focus_sedan/1600x1200/wallpaper_08.htm
Where's the neat dual screen thingie?
@RiRaRoyston
supposedly there are two levels, one with and a cheaper option without the dual screen
@one2gamble
I hate it when they do that :p
.
dude
.
"endued" isn't a word, is it?
perhaps you meant
"endowed"
"infused"
"imbued"
"encrusted"
"entrusted"
"infested"
.
@kaibeezy http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/endue
Hopefully it'll work with the Tether app
www.tether.com
The article says 2012, not 2011. Although the gallery says 2011. Confused.
@obtusechicken
2012 focus, will be out in 2011
@one2gamble
"Focus should enter production near the end of 2010" I think engadget means 2011 here... I was reading about this elsewhere, and someone had changed the model from 2011 to 2012, apparently Ford wasn't clear to everyone.
Touchscreen's are great and all but where are the freaking heads-up displays? GM has had them for years, you would think that there would have been some improvement in that technology by now.
I'd like to that technology on all cars, even if it only displays your speed and fuel level. Never have to take your eyes off the road - literally.
Finally! I've been waiting for this car to come over for so long & damn it looks good. Go Ford!
With Microsoft Sync in my Mercury Mariner I control my phone, music, navigation, personalized news, weather and sports by having a verbal conversation with my car. Ford is rockin way ahead of the others.
Great technology, crappy car
I'm moderately interested since I read that this car includes a dual clutch manual transmission. This could actually be a winner.