Looks like they finally moved it out of the Coupe and 2 door Hatchback area to give the Festiva some more room.
The Focus historically came as a 2.0l so this doesn't surprise me.
Almost feels like a RWD? Is that what they're suggesting in their article? I like the Titanium Interior too.
It's funny to see the comments on NYTimes Vs AutoBlogGreen. The link you provided to AutoblogGreen has you and two or three others commenting. The NYTimes version has 6-7 Diesel fans complaining about,"why no diesel with manual?" The main comment section on Autoblog has 200 comments by Honda lovers, FocusFanatic/Focaljet boys, and various oddballs
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And a 1.0liter in a Focus? They're making a 1.3 Ecoboost for the Festiva so I doubt they'll do the same for the Focus. The 1.6liter is just right for an Ecoboost Focus on Gasoline. But on E85 the Foci will torque steer you into the wall. Ford doesn't even make anything smaller than a 1.3 for the US. I checked
. Suzuki is the only maker of <1.4liter Engines for Automobiles using MPFI and computers. The 1.3liter G13 is the smallest motor made with MPFI. Honda only made 1.6liter SOHC with MPFI and OBDII compliant. Ford had a captured domestic import 1.4 liter that was junk IMHO in the early Festiva and later Aspire.
Hopefully the electric and hybrid versions are up to snuff. I remember looking up Pancake motors and finding Magna International as some no-name with a factory in New York with the motors I liked but no way to purchase the motors. A couple weeks later I found Magna had a deal going on with Ford for their motors
. I approve.