New Escort and Volvo S40/V50

No no, it wasn't the C-Max, it was the Estate version of the new Focus! Quite a rare beast I believe. I've only seen one of those, hence it is easily confused it with a V50 (by me).

Yes, and I appreciate that there are similarities. That's due to both cars being cased on the same platform and Ford owning Volvo, so design ideas possibly getting shared or copies to an extent.

I, OTOH, was pointing out your complete ignorance showed by stating that the Focus was little more than a rebadged Escort.

I've been trying to think which bits of the Escort carried over to Focus production. (Apart from the 1.8 and 2.0 litre Zetec E engines of course.)

The only thing I can come up with is the rear hub/brake assembly on those cars with drum rear brakes. Any others?

Chris

Did the last model Escorts get the Blacktop version of the Zetec E that the Focus has? The Blacktop was only introduced in 1998 when the Focus was launched. I know they put it in the Mk2 Mondeo because it had another 2-3 years of production but I'm not sure if it made it into the last of the Escorts.

Was there a significant difference between them then?

Chris

I know I know. That was a vain attempt of digging myself out of a hole. I shouldn't have posted at such a late hour after a tiring day. Funny how things can get mixed up.

Yes I did mean Focus, sorry guys. To settle this matter, I found these sites that shows the striking similarity between the cars. Compare this:

Here are some clear pictures of The New Ford Focus Estate

In message , Chris Whelan writes

Yes, the silvertops had hydraulic lifters which gave problems with sticking valves particularly if the wrong grade of oil was used. The later blacktops had bucket and shim solid lifters. There are other differences such as piston design and also cambelt/tensioner design.

Thanks for the info, I hadn't known that.

Chris

Lackluster dealers, and piss poor service at most of the aforementioned??

Wasn't the gear lever top the same on the early ones as that used in the nicer Escorts?

Cheers Dan.