Ford has revealed the latest version of the Focus, its most important model, now in its fourth generation. Nearly two million Focuses have been sold in the UK alone since the car first went on sale in 1998, making it an important launch for the company. 

The new Focus is the first vehicle to be based on Ford’s new C2 platform, which the company has engineered to offer better crash performance, interior practicality and improved aerodynamics. The company is also putting a renewed emphasis on quality following a £550m investment in its factory at Saarlouis in Germany.

'Our all-new Ford Focus is the pinnacle of technology and driving appeal in its segment,' said Joe Bakaj, head of product development at Ford of Europe. 'The chance to build a completely new car from a fresh piece of paper does not come around often. We grabbed it with both hands, to develop the best mid-size family car that money can buy.'

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2018 Ford Focus ST-Line
2018 Ford Focus
2018 Ford Focus

Ford says that it’s tried to lower prices on the new car where possible: the range starts at £17,930 for the Focus Style – £2,300 below the model it replaces. The Focus Zetec and ST-Line models drop by £850 and £250 less respectively.

The Style models comes with 16-inch alloy wheels as standard, as well as air conditioning, DAB digital radio with Bluetooth and Emergency Assist, electronic parking brake, autonomous emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring, hill start assist and lane-keep assist.

The model in the range, the Zetec, which starts at £19,300, adds more features such as Ford’s acclaimed Sync3 with 6.5-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, cruise control with speed limiter, front fog lights and Ford’s QuickClear heated windscreen.

Head towards the top of the range and you’ll find an eight-inch touchscreen, heated seats, keyless go and parking sensors as standard. 

2018 Ford Focus ST-Line

The Vignale version of the new Focus will get an upgraded front grille and body styling with 18-inch alloys, full LED lighting front and rear, leather interior and a 675-watt 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system.

Ford says that the new Focus is its most connected model yet – in Europe all Fords will come with the FordPass internet connection embedded, giving drivers the option of getting the latest traffic updates and other information downloaded straight to the car. 

Vignale and Active models also join the Focus range for the first time. The estate and Vignale models go on sale in October/November 2018 while the Active version of the Focus will come in early 2019, following on from the Fiesta and Ka+ Active models.

Gallery: 2018 Ford Focus