Ford has pulled off something of a surprise at Detroit by unveiling its new global Focus. Due in UK showrooms by 2011, the all-new Focus is a hugely significant model for the brand, taking the fight to the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra in the sales charts.

Outwardly it's got a new look, Ford canning the rather conservative current lines for a sharper more dynamic style. Inside Ford is promising improved quality, so it's likely that Ford's interior people will have been poring over the cabin of Volkswagen's Golf to match its upmarket feel. Crucially for car enthusiasts out there, Ford is claiming that the Focus will retain its class-leading drive - with much of the dynamic set up being done on European roads.

A global model, the Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 per cent parts commonality worldwide. The chassis will differ little with Ford claiming only minor tuning and local tyre specifications altering the set up to suit specific conditions. Alan Mulally, Ford's president and CEO says: "The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations."

Production will commence late 2010 in Germany, USA and China, Ford offering as many as 10 variations off the same platform. Shown in hatchback and saloon guise in Detroit, it'll be beaten to the showrooms in Europe by the C-Max and Grand C-Max variants mid 2010.

Promising greater safety, improved quality and premium levels of standard and optional equipment, the Focus will also be more efficient than the outgoing car. EcoBoost engine technology sees the 2011 Focus feature better emissions and economy over the outgoing model by as much as 20 per cent. Further details will be revealed closer to its likely European debut at the Geneva motor show in March and on-sale date early in 2011.