First look 2009 Ford Focus range

The Focus goes on sale next month and like the current car, will be available as a five-door hatch and four-door sedan.

Prices have risen $300 and $1500 depending on the model but buyers get more equipment and improved safety levels.

Anti-skid brakes are standard across the range while electronic stability control and traction control are standard on LX, TDCi and Zetec models.

Apart from the refreshed exterior, Ford has answered criticism of the car's low-rent interior with vastly improved quality and enhanced comfort levels.

There is a black soft-touch dash pad, along with the soft-touch upper door trims, contrasting with a tan coloured inner roof lining to visually lighten the cabin.

The dark dashboard is designed to reduce reflection in bright conditions common in Australia.

In front of the driver is a large-face tachometer and speedometer set deeply into individual binnacles.

Positioned above are small-face water temperature and fuel gauges, with each surrounded by a silver bezel.

And LCD information screen displays time, outside temperature, trip meter and odometer.

The LCD screen also has a trip computer.

The revised centre console and redesigned window and mirror switches accompany intuitive controls for air conditioning, heater and ventilation system.

At night, the centre stack controls are illuminated in soft red light which is more soothing,versus the stark white of the previous generation Focus.

The centre console is more user friendly with a sliding armrest, two cupholders and storage cubbies.

The 107kW 2.0-litre Duratec engine carries over and can be mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

Ford is also debuting its innovative six-speed PowerShift automatic in the TDCi, in combination with the potent 100kW/320Nm 2.0-litre Duratorq turbodiesel engine.

The TDCi with Powershift returns a fuel economy figure of 5.9 litres/100km.

The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...