THE Fiesta might sell more units, but the Focus remains Ford's icon in the European market, which is why each new generation is the very best it can be.

On sale in September, the latest Focus will have more technology, better economy, improved materials quality and even better handling.

Starting with Style (at £17,930), the range progresses through Zetec (£19,300), ST-Line (£21,570), ST-Line X (£24,050), Titanium (£21,550), Titanium X (£22,820) and Vignale (£25,450).

Each model has an outstanding combination of comfort, safety and driver assistance technologies, helping to make the all-new Ford Focus the most accomplished and technically-advanced Focus ever.

Focus Style comes with 16in alloy wheels, air-conditioning, DAB digital radio with Bluetooth and Emergency Assist, electronic parking brake, autonomous emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring, Hill Start Assist and Lane-Keeping Aid as standard.

Zetec models add highlights such as Ford’s acclaimed SYNC3 DAB Radio with a 6.5in touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, cruise control with speed limiter, front fog lights and QuickClear heated windscreen.

Titanium models bring additional comfort and convenience features including front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, a larger 8in colour touchscreen, satellite navigation and FordPass Connect wireless connectivity, while the Titanium X boosts the luxury further with partial leather trim, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, privacy glass and 17in alloy wheels.

For sporty drivers, the ST-Line offers unique body styling, including unique upper and lower grille, rear spoiler and polished twin tailpipes. Inside are a flat-bottomed steering wheel, black headlining, aluminium gearknob, alloy finish pedals and red stitching. The ST-Line X adds 18in alloy wheels, red brake calipers and many of the luxury features found on the Titanium X model.

At the top of the all-new Focus range sits the luxurious Focus Vignale, joining the upscale Ford range that already includes Mondeo, S-MAX, Kuga, Edge and Fiesta Vignale models.

Featuring a unique front grille and body styling with 18in wheels, the Focus Vignale is distinguished by full LED lighting front and rear. Inside, it presents a distinctive character with leather upholstery, head-up display, rear view camera, heated steering wheel and the 675-watt 10-speaker B&O Play Premium Audio System. The Focus Vignale will also be available in an exclusive Dark Mulberry body colour.

It's a very safe car, too.

Ford claims it has a wider range of advanced driver assistance features than any of its vehicles before, enabled by three radars, two cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors.

Safety tech highlights include: Adaptive Cruise Control now enhanced with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane-Centring for negotiating stop-start traffic; Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System with new camera-based predictive curve light and sign-based light that pre-adjust headlamp patterns for improved visibility by monitoring bends in the road and – for the first time in the industry – road signs, and Evasive Steering Assist, which uses radar to detect slower-moving and stationary vehicles ahead and provides steering support to enable drivers to manoeuvre around a vehicle if a collision is imminent.

Should an accident occur, new Post-Collision Braking technology helps to reduce the impact of a potential secondary collision by automatically applying moderate brake pressure when an initial collision event is detected. Slowing the vehicle can potentially lessen injury to occupants and further damage to the vehicle.

In addition, Ford’s first head-up display to be offered in Europe helps drivers focus their attention on the road ahead, while a rear wide-view camera offers a 180-degree view for improved visibility when reversing from parking spaces or driveways.

Finally, the Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them, and can apply the brakes for the first time to avoid or mitigate the effects of collisions if drivers don't respond to warnings.

Naturally, Ford has high hopes for its new mid-market hatch.

If the driving experience lives up to its predecessors, the latest Focus looks set to move the game on to a new level in its class.