Motoring Editor Malcolm Baylis casts his eye over the new Ford Focus.

MARKET leader Ford has kept a firm hold on its British sales crown and remains the country's favourite car brand for the 28th successive year, outselling its nearest rival by more than 42,000 vehicles.

This means that the latest Focus, launched a few days ago, is likely to continue as Britain's best selling car (a position it has held for the past four-and-a-half years), especially with more than 9,000 customer orders already banked.

In the past, the Focus has proved to be the choice of company car drivers, and after driving the new car here and abroad it will, I have no doubt, continue to hog the sales charts.

In the way it handles and rides, looks after its occupants, and delivers levels of refinement and quality construction, it has all the ingredients of long-term success.

Not that it exactly seduces at first glance. Some of the distinctive Focus DNA is there - the pointed headlamp glasses, the high-mounted tail-lights, the sporty silhouette. But the overall effect is more restrained than the avant-garde original. Surprisingly, in the three-door and five-door hatchbacks which made up the launch fleet, the overall effect borders on the anonymous.

Inside, too, the dramatic swoops and slashes of the predecessor's fascia have been replaced by architecture and instruments which could have come straight out of an Audi. Overall, the effect is restrained yet quite classy.

Of the four petrol engines and brace of turbo diesels, two stand out: the 134bhp 2.0-litre petrol and the 143bhp two-litre TDCi. The diesel is a grand runner, bags of power, lots of driving force, and plenty of mid-revs punch. But the petrol is also notable for its throttle response and flexibility, and is noticeably quieter than the two-litre Focus it replaces. Ford, incidentally, expects the diesels to capture 30 per cent of sales.

Slick gearboxes - five-speed for the petrol, six for the diesel, add to the driving fun.

It is in the chassis department, though, that this new Focus shines. The predecessor made lots of friends because it handled so well. The latest takes the driving experience a step further. The international route took the testers for two days through the mountains and valleys of Tuscany, which turned out to be more a 200-mile series of rolling and sharp Z bends.

But the Focus lapped up every yard. Road holding was tremendous, cornering balance superb and the steering precision absolute ... and it had to be on some of the bends.

Never a cramped car, the Focus now has significantly more leg and knee room in the back, although the sloping roof, could prove a bit restrictive for some. However, the seats are well shaped and comfortable, and those up front have a generous range of adjustment.

Luggage space has been increased by ten per cent.

There's a real quality feel to the interior. The trademark Focus oval air vents are retained, and the centre stack controls have been moved slightly upwards to make them more accessible.

Verdict: If ever there was a car that flattered the driver, this new Focus is it.

Dealers: Polar Ford, Monks Cross, York. Phone: 01904 625371

Polar Ford, Station Road, Thirsk. Phone 01845 524808

Polar Ford, Seamer Road, Scarborough. Phone 01723 501501

Reliance Garage, Station Road, Helmsley. Phone: 01439 770404

Benfield Motors, Wetherby. Phone:01937 585311

Lawtons of Tadcaster, York Road, Tadcaster. Phone: 01937 833997

Selby Ford, Canal Road, Selby. Phone: 01757 700800

Updated: 11:27 Friday, January 21, 2005