The all-new Ford Focus was voted Car of the Year by Britain's biggest selling weekly motoring magazine, Auto Express. The Focus not only wins the best compact family car category against fierce competition in the publication's New Car Honours, but it gains the highest accolade of all, that of "Supreme Champion".

The award was presented to Roger Putnam, chairman Ford of Britain, by the magazine's editor-in-chief, David Johns.

He said: "The new Focus tackles every task, rises to every challenge and conducts itself beautifully. It's effortlessly easy to drive with perfectly weighted controls, has a highly practical attitude to passengers and luggage, is well equipped, affordable, safe, secure and has a miserly approach to running cost."

Roger Putnam said: "We are delighted and proud to see the new Ford Focus scoop the Auto Express Car of the Year trophy. Being crowned "Supreme Champion" is a fantastic accolade and just confirms that the all-new Ford continues to set the standard in the fiercely competitive compact family car segment."

The all-new Focus is now on sale in Australia.

2005 Ford Focus Zetec