First drive: Ford Focus

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The Focus is a key model for Ford, no less than 1 in 20 cars sold in the UK over the past 9 years have been Ford's fleet and family favourite. But, can the kinetically face-lifted new model increase on the old models strengths and build on them? We headed to Nice to find out...

New Edge meets Kinetic
After sharp criticism of the Mark 4 Escort, Ford really needed to shake up the small family class with its new contender, the Focus. The first generation car, launched back in 1998, was possibly the most radical car that Ford had produced since the Mark 1 Sierra, as the New Edge styling of the Focus was very individual. Perhaps because the second-generation car lacked that individuality and because Ford's kinetic design themes have been such a hit with the recent Mondeo and S-Max we now have the new, face-lifted Focus range.

Exterior changes
Highlights of the new Focus's exterior, from the front, include the trapezoidal upper and lower grilles, the Mondeo-like swept back headlights and a re-profiled 3D bonnet. At the sides the rubbing strips have been removed, with bold wheel lips and a strong undercut added, all of which give a cleaner look. The changes from the back are more subtle, with revised hi-level rear lights (including LED technology depending what headlight option you go for), restyled rear bumper and a revised tailgate with bolder handle. So does the face-lift work? Yes, as it brings the design right up to date and gives the Focus the presence that it has been missing since the first-generation car.

What's under the bonnet
The engine range is pretty much unchanged from the current car, with petrol units starting from the lowly 1.4 to the fiery 2.5 litre turbo fitted in the ST. But, to stay ahead of the rivals, Ford is debuting revised versions of the 1.6 TDCi diesel engine. Various mechanical and electrical changes now mean that all these units deliver an average CO2 figure of under 120g/km, meaning that with the proposed changes to the Congestion Charge, these models would be exempt. Other engine changes include a Volkswagen DSG-Style PowerShift transmission available with the 134bhp 2.0-litre TDCi and green fans are well catered for with the ECOnetic model, which boasts a tax-busting 114g/km CO2.