Ford Focus

But Britain’s best-selling car of the past decade has had a whole lot more than a makeover for 2011.

It is now armed with the sort of new technology you might expect to find only in the premium class, together with a peach of an engine.

The new Focus is built on the Blue Oval company’s new C platform and is expected to notch up sales of 2.5 million next year in 120 markets around the globe.

Here in the UK, we have loved the driving dynamics of the Focus ever since it made its debut in 1998. It is everyman’s car, operating in its various guises as fleet car, family carrier and hot-hatch.

At 1.484 metres high (on 17-inch wheels), 4.358 metres long and 1.823 metre wide, the new five-door model is 16mm lower, 21mm longer and 16mm narrower than the current Focus, which will remain on sale until the autumn. But although the loss of a little height is apparent, there’s no feeling of reduced width in the cabin.

Behind the wheel, the driver is cocooned in a cockpit-style layout, with the two main displays in the instrument cluster being controlled by twin five-way toggle switches on the steering wheel. In fact, the steering wheel is loaded with so many tasks that I wondered whether the next generation Focus might have to adopt a separate control system similar to those employed by Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

So far, so good. The ergonomics are up to Ford’s usual high standards and the quality of the materials employed do not disappoint.

But Focus owners have always been attracted by something more than comfort – the Focus has built an enviable reputation for being fun to drive. It might be argued that the extra comfort has watered down the fun element with the heavyweight 2.0-litre diesel versions, but that’s not the case with the new star on the Focus stage, the 1.6-litre turbo-charged Eco Boost petrol engine, which is available in Titanium and Titanium X specification.

It is a punchy, perfect match for the car, and can even match the diesel offerings for torque. What’s more, it delivers 47mph average fuel consumption and emits only 139 g/km. And it comes with an addictive, rasping engine noise when you want to play.

The ride is top-notch, benefiting as it does from updated chassis technologies, a stiffer body structure and even better steering than its predecessor.

When it comes to cornering, Ford has employed a torque vectoring control system – more typically found on high-performance cars – to improve grip and steering and reduce the level of understeer. It certainly inspires confidence and demonstrates yet again how the Focus has moved to a new level.

There’s a choice of three petrol and four diesel engines, and these are partnered by four trim levels – Edge, Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X, with a Zetec S coming later in the year that will be matched with a higher-powered EcoBoost engine. That should look and feel the part of a great fun-to-drive hatchback.

Ford has armed the Focus with an optional pack of driver-assistance features not normally seen in this sector. For the bargain price of £750, customers get a low speed safety system, lane departure warning, lane keeping aid, driver alert, traffic sign recognition, auto high beam and blind spot information system.

It has also given even the entry-level Edge model manual air conditioning, electric mirrors with turn indicators, DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connection, remote central locking and a rear spoiler.

Step up to the Zetec model, expected to account for 55 per cent of sales, and the extra features include 16-inch alloy wheels, heated windscreen, front fog lamps, leather trimmed steering wheel, centre console with armrest, sports style front seats, heated door mirrors and a chrome finish on the upper door line. Higher up the pecking order come some really nice touches such as LED driving lamps, cruise control, engine start/stop button and parking assist technology.

Make no mistake, this Focus is as good as it gets in this sector. Debate will no doubt rage over whether it is as good to drive as the previous Focus, but as an everyday car the new generation is in a league of its own.

Fact file

Ford Focus

Model: Titanium EcoBoost

PRICE: £19,750 (Focus range from £16,000)

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo-charged petrol, 150bhp

Transmission: Six-speed manual, driving the front wheels

Performance: Top speed 130mph; 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds

Economy: 47mpg combined

CO2 Rating: 139g/km