FORD Focus buyers will pay the same price for the new model at entry level as they did for the outgoing car.

The cars, available to buy from November, will start from £13,995, with top spec Titanium and Titanium X versions costing just £100 more than their current equivalents.

The new Focus range retains a six-series line-up of Studio (from £13,995), Style (£16,795), Zetec (£18,295), Zetec S (£20,045), Titanium (£19,795) and Titanium X (£21,795).

Already offering the likes of automated parallel parking, Active City Stop low-speed collision avoidance, Traffic Sign Recognition to monitor and record road signs and Blind Spot Information System, as optional extras, the new Focus is the first Ford to offer Perpendicular Parking, an additional hands-free parking technology to help drivers reverse into spaces alongside other vehicles.

With new engines in the line-up, such as the 118bhp 1.5-litre diesel, Ford is promising increased fuel efficiency - ten per cent in this case – and lower CO2 emissions – down from 109g/km to 98g/km with this model.

A new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine delivers 180bhp but with a seven per cent improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions reduced to 127g/km.

"The Ford Focus is the UK’s favourite family car, so the launch of the new model is an exciting time,” said Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain. “With unmatched levels of technology and impressive fuel economy, combined with Ford’s traditional driving dynamics and competitive pricing, we believe that the new car will not only delight our existing customers but also expand the appeal of the Focus brand.”