Focus owners at PE tomorrow (July '06)

[don kalmar union]

There is a rolling road morning tomorrow at Power Engineering for Ford Focus owners.

My understanding is that there will be a few there with the Volvo engined Focus ST.

Might be an opportunity for a few of us to call in and show a few of them just what can be done with their 'T5' engines....

Regards, Don.Norchi.

www.kalmar-union.com

UK distributor of MTE Swedish Enginered Software.

[Dan F]

Hi Don.
As you alluded to, the engine in the Focus ST is a 2.5LPT badged as a T5 and as such, any real T5 engine will put it to shame. So it isn't really a fair contest. It would be fun though.

Dan.

[don kalmar union]

Good morning Dan,

The Focus ST and the small Volvo 'T5's, which are the same 'underneath', and certainly lighter than our bigger cars should be comparable in standard form...maybe not to the latest S60/V70 T5's.

The only difference between the new small Volvos and the ST is that Ford wrote their own software in Dunton using more of the ME9's considerable encryption capacity than did Volvo software engineers in Gothenburg.

The limits on these lower capacity 'T5's and the ST appear at present to be concerned with the very small intercooler and the small KKK turbo that has the exhaust manifold cast in one piece with it. Volvo have built one developement car with basically a current 'R' engine in it, so there will be some scope for developement with alternative standard Volvo components up to arround the 350 mark and a Company in Germany have already built and are offering a 300bhp ST with Volvo components and Ford Germany approval.....they claim.

What us Volvo fans have to ask ourselves is why pay £7000 or so more for an S40/V50 T5 over the price of the basic Focus ST. CAR magazine estimate that the ST will depreciate less over 3 years than the Volvos and the servicing costs are arround half over that period.

The same will presumably apply with the new Mondeos when they come to the market the same underneath as the next S60/V70's.

Best wishes, Don.

[Dan F]

Hi Don.
As most cars now share a platform (and usually more) with other cars, the purchasing decision is now more of a marketing ploy than ever before.
It is, simply put, do you want to pay more for this badge than that badge.
Volvo is a premium marque whereas Ford is not. The downside is, if 'non badge snob' (for want of a better term) people cannot see any reason why the S40 may cost more than a Focus other than a badge, then they will not buy the Volvo.
Those that choose the Volvo will do so because they just do not want to be seen in a Ford (in the true sense of the word) even though (ironically) they are still driving a Ford in all but name.
I don't think Ford is helping Volvo by sharing platforms with them, they *are* however helping themselves by using Volvo tech in their own badged cars and ultimately I think Ford will come out of this the better off and Volvo will be 'devalued' even though in the big scheme, they need to share platforms to survive. I think Volvo should be given the money to develop their own engines and platforms that are separate from Fords and therefore retain their true premium value and individuality.
Later,
Dan.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Dan F

I don't think Ford is helping Volvo by sharing platforms with them, they *are* however helping themselves by using Volvo tech in their own badged cars and ultimately I think Ford will come out of this the better off and Volvo will be 'devalued' even though in the big scheme, they need to share platforms to survive. I think Volvo should be given the money to develop their own engines and platforms that are separate from Fords and therefore retain their true premium value and individuality.
Later,
Dan.

Yes, and the same is true of the Saab's to as they share platforms with GM/Vauxhall.
The big players are turning the smaller premium players into also-rans and churning out the same old crappola that the big boys were/are, and turning people off in the same way.
I spoke to a guy in my local Volvo main dealer on pards and he said that the quality of parts for the Volvos (new ones) was not up to the same quality/standard as that for the older models...

Almost a good reason to look to German makers like Audi or Merc..
Certainly a good reason to stick to the older second hand Volvos which are pre ford..

Des. . .

[Dan F]

Originally Posted by CTCNetwork

Almost a good reason to look to German makers like Audi or Merc..
Certainly a good reason to stick to the older second hand Volvos which are pre ford..

Des. . .

I hear ya.
'Unfortunately' (I use that term loosely and only in-so-far as I have had 7 Volvos and it is a bit of a culture shock in some respects to find myself in an ultra performance german car) I went Mercedes way.
I will certainly not be buying a 'Ford' developed Volvo (except maybe the C30... Will have to check it out first) when I get another in the future.
I wonder when Ford will start using Aston platforms on other cars....? That will be a sad day.
Dan.

[SaffronC70]

What time does this kick off ?

10 am ish ?

Been to Goodwood today, so I don't know if I'll summon enough energy up to get up early and go have a looksee !

Chris

[IC]

See you guys there!

[Engineer]

Originally Posted by IC

See you guys there!

Shame, will be at Goodwood might catch you IC for a natter on Sunday though?

[IC]

Hi Gary, hope so!