2017 Ford Fiesta - pricing announced

Alongside the Active and Vignale specifications, those who want a sportier look will still be able to specify an ST Line trim, which brings bespoke alloy wheels, a more aggressive grille and side skirts, sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and sports suspension.

The new Fiesta uses a development of the outgoing model’s platform, complete with retuned MacPherson strut front suspension, rack and pinion steering and a torsion beam rear end.

The front track width has been increased by 30mm and the rear by 10mm, so the suspension geometry can be optimised for larger, 18in wheels. There’s also a lighter, stiffer front anti-roll bar that’s said to contribute to better roll control and more steering feel, and torsional stiffness has been increased by 15%.

Overall, the aim was to retain the current handling balance and improve the ride of what is already one of the most comfortable cars of its kind and the benchmark for driving fun in the supermini class. Only the sportier models feel firm, particularly the ST hot hatch.

The ST won’t be replaced until 2018, but when it does appear it will have more dramatic looks than today’s car in an effort to help it stand out from the cheaper and slower ST Line cars that will be available from launch. The hot ST is likely to use an updated version of the current car’s turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, although power is expected to be hiked from today’s 197bhp on overboost.

Until the arrival of the full-blown ST model, the new Fiesta’s engines will all be small, frugal units, including a more efficient take on today’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost, which will be offered with 99bhp, 123bhp and 138bhp outputs, and a new, entry-level normally aspirated 1.1-litre three-cylinder petrol, available with 69bhp or 84bhp.

In its most frugal form, this new engine is expected to emit just 98g/km of CO2, although the 94bhp 1.5-litre diesel will remain the most efficient engine in the range, with CO2 emissions as low as 82g/km.

Inside the new Fiesta, Ford has opted for a complete overhaul. Gone is the buttonheavy dashboard of today’s model, replaced instead by simple rotary temperature controls and a ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment display (6.5in on lesser trims and 8.0in on Titanium and Vignale models).

The screen features big, clearly marked icons and is placed high up on the dash and in line with the instruments in order to minimise time spent looking away from the road when changing radio stations or adjusting the car’s settings.

In addition, the screen allows the sort of pinch and swipe gestures used to operate a smartphone. Alternatively, the infotainment system can be operated using simple, conversational voice commands, although this is likely to be a cost option on most models.

Perceived interior quality is much improved, too. The plastics are now as plush as those in a Mini or a Volkswagen Polo, while a semi-translucent piano black insert stretches all the way from the instrument binnacle to the centre console and is made in one piece so there are no unsightly shut lines.

The new Fiesta isn’t much bigger than today’s car. The rear seats flop down onto the bases when folded and there’s no adjustable boot floor to making loading and unloading easier. But the dashboard has been reshaped to free up more knee room, so four adults will be able to fit more comfortably inside the car.

There won’t be any budget versions of the new Fiesta, because Ford wants to leave room below it for the cheaper Ka+ model, which was introduced earlier this year.