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The Ford Focus is to be the first car to receive the company's latest EcoBoost engine: a 1.0-litre, turbo-charged three-cylinder unit that boasts the power of a naturally aspirated 1.6.

It will be available in two guises: a 123bhp version which returns fuel economy of 56.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 114g/km, and a 99bhp unit returning 58.9mpg and emissions of 109g/km - a best-in-class for petrol models.

The low emissions figures mean the EcoBoost Focus will be exempt from road tax in its first year and then only liable for £20 per year thereafter (£30 for the 123bhp version). Compared with the current range of equally powerful 1.6-litre engines, this represents a saving of at least £200 over two years.

Ford claims the new engine is small enough to sit on an A4 piece of paper. Despite its diminutive dimensions, it should deliver the driveability of a much larger engine, as it develops a peak pulling power of 125lb/ft, which is available between 1,400-4,500rpm.

The 1.0-litre engine is the latest addition to the EcoBoost range, which is currently made up of 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre engine options, and offers power outputs of 148-237bhp. It will feature first on the Focus before making its way into the C-MAX, Grand C-MAX and all-new B-MAX later this year.

The new Ford Focus range is available from £13,995 on the road, with the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine being priced £250 above the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine. It will be available in dealerships from February.

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