Feast your eyes on the new Ford Focus; the third generation of what has become one of the Blue Oval’s most successful models in recent years.Built upon the same platform that underpins the current Ford C-Max, the new Focus is the first world car to be released under the firm’s new “One Ford” philosophy and is set to be sold not just in Europe, South Africa and Australia but in North America and China too. Building upon all the strengths of the current second-generation Focus – read affordability, practicality and excellent drivability – the new model promises to deliver enhanced levels of refinement and, due to the latest evolution in Ford’s Kinetic design DNA, an extra dollop of style thanks to the revised shape of its sheet metal. The new Focus also comes loaded with a much suaver interior; one that’s been lined with the sort of soft-touch plastics and hard-wearing upholstery fabrics that finally allow it to compete on the same level as its traditionally more plush German rivals. You can also expect to see a snazzy new sound system too that, developed with electro gods Sony, promises to please those with discerning audiophile ears. In-car ergonomics appear top-notch, with a driver-focussed cockpit making you feel very much at one with the machine while ensconced behind the steering wheel. And that’s vitally important, especially in a car like this that offers up some of the best driving characteristics in its class.

In the metal you can expect no less than two Focus body derivatives: a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan. The latter, I think, is particularly impressive as it no longer looks like a last-ditch attempt at glueing a boot onto the severed body of a hatchback. From snout to tail it looks wonderfully resolved and the rear now shares the same visual oomph as the current Mondeo. Nice. The hatch, whilst not as immediately exciting, retains its familiar sporty silhouette but adds a derriere more reminiscent of the current Ford Fiesta. A little bit more fussy, perhaps, but definitely more interesting and boundary-pushing than what’ll you find on the back of current Focus hatch. Both these models share the same bold trapezoidal front grille, heavily sculpted arches and generously sized alloy wheels. Under the hood you can expect to find the latest Ford EcoBoost petrol and common-rail diesel engines, manual and PowerShift gearboxes and the debut of something called Dynamic Cornering Control; an electronic aid that helps quell understeer by limiting the slip of the inner drive wheel during bouts of hard cornering. Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) will be standard on all models and, according to Ford executives, will be endowed with brisk responses and a fine amount of feedback.

The new Ford Focus debuts at the 2010 North American International Motor Show that kicks off later today and it should receive a considerable amount of attention, especially since GM and Chrysler don’t really have anything as sorted in their lineups to take it on. Check out these exclusive pictures and let me know what your thoughts are about Ford’s latest release…