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Two of the most important cars of the year debuted on the Ford stand at the Geneva Motor Show. The all-new Focus, first seen at the Detroit Motor Show and the C-Max were unveiled to a packed hall.

The worst-kept secret at the Geneva Motor Show was the European debut of the all-new Ford Focus. In the run-up, all Ford would say is it would unveil an "all-new C-car" - industry language for a Focus-sized car.

But the coup for Geneva was the new Ford Focus Estate - with its Mondeo-like styling - which looks even better than the five-door hatch. Critics compared its looks to the Kia Ceed and Hyundai I30, but in the metal the new Focus is classy and distinctive.

The interior is a huge leap forward over the current car with the centre console wrapping around the driver like a cockpit, although there wasn't the opportunity to peek inside. There's a good amount of interior space, and Ford will have paid special attention to the way it drives - another Ford Focus hallmark.

For the first time, Ford is offering the C-Max in five- and seven-seat configurations. The seven-seat Ford Grand C-Max features sliding doors and a novel seating arrangement which sees the middle seat in the second row tumble and fold, allowing a corridor to the rearmost seats.

Ford has introduced the Grand C-Max to head off competition from the likes of the Renault Grand Scenic and Volkswagen Touran in the battle for buyers who need extra seating, but don't want the bulk of a full-size MPV.

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