The new 2015 Ford Focus is here and for me the most important change is to the dash. The entry price is also keen from €20,295 for the 1.6 Ti-VCT, 85bhp petrol version. The diesel entry version costs €21,935 for the 95bhp hatchback version.

There are four series in the new Focus range, from the entry-level Focus, Focus Style, Zetec and top of the range Titanium. The range is available in a three-model line-up of 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon and 5-door estate.

Ciaran McMahon, chairman and managing director, Ford Ireland, said at the launch that Ford expects to sell 4,500 Focus models this year, adding to the 115,000 Ford Focus cars already on Irish roads.

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The new Focus has a lower, wider stance, with a new bonnet, front fascia and grille. The bonnet design is different. The car has slimmer front headlamps and elongated fog-lamps, with a new design grille that’s similar to that of the Mondeo and Fiesta.

Engine options for the new Focus include the well-proven 1.6 litre (95bhp and 115bhp) and 2.0 litre diesels (150bhp). Ford’s acclaimed 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol (100 & 125bhp) will also be available.

The car has a higher specification than before with the entry level Focus getting ESP with Hill-Launch Assist, MyKey Gen 2, body colour bumpers and spoiler (5 door), electric front windows, tyre pressure monitoring system, power door mirrors with indicators, remote power locking with flip key, anti-allergic interior and capless refuelling.

This latest version of Focus will be available with the advanced ‘perpendicular parking’ park assist, a new hands-free parking technology that helps drivers reverse into spaces alongside other cars. The extra sensors associated with this system also enable Ford to offer technologies that help drivers as they manoeuvre out of parking spaces for the first time in Europe. This includes Cross Traffic Alert which warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them.