The Sweeney is, for some, so beloved that already many of you will, by now, have the theme tune firmly lodged in your head where it will remain for the next several weeks.

It may therefore interest you to know that next year your favourite Flying Squad detectives Jack Regan (Ray Winstone) and George Carter (Ben Drew – better known as Plan B) will once again grace our screens. But this adventure will be so big that only a cinema screen will be able to contain it.

And all the fun will take place behind the wheel of Ford’s first global performance car – the new Ford Focus ST – which comes with a 2.0-litre 250PS four-cylinder EcoBoost engine and “explosive” acceleration so powerful that, Ford insist, “the criminals will struggle to make a clean getaway”.

Says Anthony Ireson, Ford Britain’s marketing director: “The new Focus ST is a hugely exciting car for Ford with terrific dynamic credibility. It will be a car for real driving enthusiasts, so Regan and Carter won’t be disappointed.”

The new Ford Focus ST, which goes on sale in 40 countries from next year, was shown in final production-ready form at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

The Sweeney will premier in September, but don’t get too excited. It’s directed and partially written by Nick Love of The Football Factory fame. This means that it will straggle the tedious line between laddishness and thuggishness and will, therefore, be all but unwatchable.

But the car looks nice, yes?

You know when you’re having your suit fitted and the tailor says “would sir mind not sucking his gut in, sir?” He’s basically saying – in the kindest way possible – that you’re quite fat, but it’s fine. Admit it. You’ll be more comfortable in the long run.

Well, that’s sort of what Ford have done with their new global Ford Focus. Launching a car in 120 countries is apparently something of a logistical challenge when it comes to accommodating the different and growing sizes of drivers from around the world. They got around this through using 3D body scans carried out on a large range of ages and races in order to ensure that they can cater for all global populations.

“We use a global database that gives accurate size ranges of drivers in different parts of the world,” says Ralph Gesang, Ford’s Driving Environment supervisor. “It shows not only heights but also the different types of body statures. This information helped us to ensure that more than 97 per cent of the world’s adult population can sit comfortably in the new Focus.”

I like those odds!

“The latest 3D body data directly influenced the development of the seat travel, the cushion shape and the adjustment range of the steering wheel and foot pedals,” says Ralf Nürnberg, Ford’s attribute leader for Occupant Accommodation. “Back seat head and leg room also were influenced when we visualised the 3D human models in our computer simulations of the new Focus.

“As well as the broad regional variations, the latest 3D body data also reflects the fact that, on average, the global population is getting taller and heavier, and the new Focus interior takes account of this trend.”

Now comes the interesting bit! According to these latest scientific studies, the average human height in industrialised parts of the world has increased by around 10cm in the past 150 years. This is due in part to better living conditions and a generally improved diet. This type of historical data can be projected onto developing countries to produce a model of expected growth patterns.

But it wasn’t just the shape of the seat which had to cater for all. Something as seemingly insignificant as drink preferences also had an influence upon the design of the latest Focus. Consider that in Europe, customers want storage for a 1.5-litre bottle of water. In China, on the other hand, cars often come with tea containers as standard.

Well, Ford took both of these into account when designing the door pockets of their new Focus in order to ensure that such needs were met without compromising upon the driver’s ability to sit comfortably and easily control the vehicle.

It’s the little things, isn’t it? The overall result is that the new Ford Focus can claim to combine a stylish, aerodynamic exterior design with highly competitive interior space. By considering the greater range of shapes and sizes of the global customer base, the engineers at Ford have worked to ensure that, no matter where in the world it’s sold, the new Focus is a good fit for customers.

And that’s just marvellous, isn’t it?

This year marks 100 years of Ford cars in Britain who have in many ways dominated the British motoring scene for the majority of that 100 years. To celebrate Ford managing to reach its British century Ford is saluting the pavilion with a limited edition model of their arguably most famous model – the Ford Fiesta.

The limited edition Fiesta, which is largely based on the Fiesta Zetec model, is available in a 3 door or 5 door variant and features a 1.25 litre engine and 81 bhp. The centenary also features add ons such as LED daylight running lights, chrome mirrors and metallic paint, although this is only available in one colour – black.

The colour choice is a nod to the historic Model T – the world’s first mass produced car and the first Ford model to be manufactured in the UK in 1911.

The car also comes with host of fancy gadgets including a rear view mirror mounted parking camera which allows the driver assistance in parking. There are also fitted parking sensors to assist the driver , automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers to sense the rain for you, always tough to gauge when its raining or not, and there are 16 inch seven spoke alloy wheels for the kind of driver who prefers the flashier vehicle and hasn’t managed to acquire alloys of their own during the Riots.

The owners of the limited edition will no only be joining Ford in their centenary celebrations but will be joining an exclusive club of ownership as only 1000 models of the Fiesta Centura will be being constructed, priced respectively at £13,395 for the 3 door and £13,995 for the five door.

So if you fancy becoming part of the Ford centenary celebrations the Fiesta Centura is available for purchase around the end of August this year, or for the more savvy – minded, it might even become a collector’s item one day…

Ford has announced that Britain’s bestselling car – the Ford Fiesta – will be receiving a subtle facelift for 2012.

Fiesta fans can expect to see a host of improvements to the range including two new models, two new exterior paint colours and improvements to the interior and equipment levels.

Exterior & Model Changes:

A few minor changes have been made to the exterior style of the Ford Fiesta. Two new exterior paint colour options have been introduced including Mars Red and Fashionista – an all-new colour unique to the Fiesta. The Morello colour has been discontinued.

The Titanium model has been further differentiated on the exterior by the introduction of a chrome strip on the Front Upper Grille.

Two new models have also been introduced to the Fiesta range including a Style model designed to help bridge the gap between Studio and the new up-rated Edge.  The Fiesta Metal will also replace the S1600 as the performance vehicle within the Fiesta range.

Interior & Equipment Levels:

The Edge, Zetec and Titanium all benefit from an interior upgrade, whilst the popular Zetec trim gets a new set of alloy wheels offered as standard.

DAB radio will now be standard on the Titanium trim and available as an option on all other series. However, as a launch incentive, Fords is offering DAB as standard on all Fiesta models built in July and August. 

ECOnectic Technology:

Finally, the ECOnetic will no longer be a unique entity and instead the 1.6 TDCi version of Edge, Zetec and Titanium will become the Edge ECOnetic, Zetec ECOnetic and Titanium ECOnetic.

All Edge, Zetec and Titanium ECOnetics will also come with 14″ wheels as part of the ECOnetic package.

The all-new Ford Fiesta 2012 is now available to lease from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595 to find out more and to get an instant quotation.

Which, of course, means an end to drivers moaning about the wrong CD being in the wrong case, shuffling their hands about in the door pocket trying to find the latest Coldplay CD whilst trying to drive safely in a traffic jam on the motorway, and whinging about the CD jumping because it’s scratched. And it helps keep the car a bit tidier too!

So, the Compact Disc joins the Mini-Disc, the Cassette and the 8-Track in the dustbin of car entertainment, meaning a generation of music lovers will have to shell out for digital systems to play their tunes on. No more borrowing a CD of bangin’ choons to play on the way to the clubs in the souped-up motor; no more Sade to help the kids moan even more in that ten mile tailback to Devon on a boiling hot day in August; and no more Singalong-a-Tweenies on repeat to keep the nippers quiet while slowly driving everyone else mad.

Unless there’s an iPod, iPhone or hard drive that you can now carry about with you and plug into the USB hub!

Because Ford sees the CD going the same way as the cassette – the Ford Focus is no longer available with a CD changer – all new models come with a USB port, Bluetooth and a DAB digital radio; a sign of the times.

Ford’s Ralf Brosig said that Ford “…will obviously continue to offer CD players while there is demand. However, over time we expect customer preferences will lead us quickly into an all-digital approach to in-car audio entertainment.” In fact, Ford claim that they were the first car manufacturer to offer DAB digital radio as an accessory in a car as an extra.

Ralf’s claims are backed up by Sheryl Connelly, Ford’s Global Trends and Futuring Manager, “The in-car CD player – much like pay telephones – is destined to fade away in the face of exciting new technology.”

In 2012 Ford will release Ford SYNC in the Focus, which will allow drivers to play music stored in an online ‘Cloud’ in their cars.

So those of us who still pine for the scratchy recordings of the old LP record will have to get used to the crystal clear sounds emanating from the ‘exciting digital age.’

Mind you, it’s still difficult to keep your eyes on the road when searching for that elusive Clash cover on the iPod! Meaning possibly more accidents, more excuses and more prosecutions.

Technology has a lot to answer for.

When you think of classic American cars there is always one name that just cannot be overlooked; the Ford Mustang. But unfortunately for the rest of the world the car has never been transferred especially across the Atlantic in a Europe – friendly model.

But never fear because 2014 is the year. The year that the Ford Mustang is finally, exclusively and for the first time ever released in the UK not only to be sold in showrooms nationwide but to be sold with right hand drive too.  The legendary American sports car is planned to be exported as part of the new ‘One Ford’ scheme which looks to reduce company costs by making less models worldwide. The new Mustang therefore will be a ‘World’ model; the same spec will be available globally, with V8s for the fastest models everywhere. This means that the Mustang will be taking up its place in Ford showrooms across the country alongside more commonly seen models such as the Fiesta and the Focus.

The new model Mustang is said to be being modelled on the more classic 1964 Mustang as well as smaller than the current model available.  The new improved global muscle car is also planning a technical overhaul, with reduced CO2 emissions, increased fuel efficiency (both down to a reduced total weight) and as well as being the most technologically gifted Mustang so far being completely kitted out with gadgets it’s also going to be the fist independently rear suspension Mustang for improved ride and traction.

There will be a 2.5 litre turbo four cylinder engine under the bonnet pushing out a more than respectable 300bhp which should satisfy customers on both sides of the Atlantic. Ford’s biggest challenge will be marketing the global Ford to markets both inside and outside of America at the same time, with different standard and specifications to meet in different markets it will be hard to find the right balance but come 2014 I think we’ll be in for a treat.

Unchanged in name only, the new Ford Ranger pick-up was unveiled in Birmingham at the 2011 Commercial Vehicle Show before its European release later this year. Despite having the same name the Ranger has been completely redesigned from the ground up, with a dominant new look and new features such as increased capacity, smarter in built technology and innovative safety features.

The Ranger also boasts improved performance and economy as well as increased comfort whilst still maintaining the strength and durability associated with the model.

The Ranger has been built to the slogan “Ford Builds Tough”; a promise of a rugged and reliable pickup, and is the first vehicle to be released under Ford’s new ‘One Ford’ programme. The ‘One Ford’ programme is a global scheme which pulls together the full engineering prowess of Ford from around the world, in this case Australia where it was developed. The Ranger will be produced in South Africa, Thailand and Argentina for sale in more than 180 markets worldwide.

The new Ranger is incredibly flexible in choice offering variations on almost every aspect in order to fit everyone’s needs and funds: Single Cab, Rear Access Cab, and Double Cab, the option of 4×4 or 4×2 drivetrains and 2 different ride heights to ensure each Ranger meets the buyer’s needs.

An increased load box offers a best- in –class towing capacity of 3350 kg and an impressive cargo capacity of 1.82 cubic metres on the single cab variant; however the Ranger isn’t just a work horse to carry things from A to B. The Ranger offers increased comfort and a completely redesigned cab offering smart technologies more at home in passenger vehicles such as Blackberry®Connectivity, voice control and a Rear view camera system, unique in the pick up class, displayed in the rear view mirror making the Ranger as perfectly suited to a leisure trip as to hard labour.

By combining unique technology and comfort with leading practicality stats, the Ranger is useable in any situation, and well worth a look.

Since Ford first launched the Mondeo in 1993, they have sold 1.3 million models in the UK to date.

The latest version which is now in showrooms is a facelift of the third generation Ford Mondeo that came out in 2006.

The new car has revised styling, revamped interior trim, new engines and 1,365 various new parts. There is a new bonnet and a slimmer upper grille.

The model has been given LED daytime lights at the front and at the rear there are new standard fit LED taillights which sit beneath a revised boot lid.

All these changes give the Mondeo a more premium upmarket appeal and strengthen its position even more in the sales chart.

As before, prices for the Mondeo start at £17,295. There are five trim levels- Edge, Zetec, Titanium, Titanium X and Titanium X Sport and these will be offered with a choice of eight engines.

The new petrol 2.0 litre 240 PS EcoBoost model will be arriving next month and prices are set to be around £29,000. The New EcoBoost model is now the flagship of the Mondeo range that consists of four petrol and five turbo-diesel engines.

The new revamped version of the Ford Mondeo may not break the mould like the original when it first came out but it will definitely help Mondeo stay at the top of its game.

By Mr.Clarkson’s own admission, 2010 was a poor year for motoring, debuts of fire-breathing supercars were scarce, instead international motor-shows were dominated by small, ultra-frugal city cars and members of the next generation of motoring, electric cars.

Indeed 2010 was the year of electric, manufacturing of the Nissan Leaf, the first mass-produced electric car, began and numerous other manufacturers announced details of their first tentative steps into this brave new world (see previous post).

Even the curly-haired messiah of motoring had something to get excited about in 2010, a year dominated by austerity and tentativeness. Jaguar made speed demons sigh with relief as they revealed their CX-75 concept, an electric powered beast that hinted at what was to come from sports car manufacturers in a world where vehicles will be propelled by volts instead of unleaded.

So what of the coming year? 2011 looks to be a bumper year for petrol (and electric) heads with some exciting new model launches on the cards. Let’s take a look at what’s in store;

Ford Focus Coupe

Some are optimistically calling this confirmed model the ‘new Capri’, but whether or not Ford rekindles this iconic name, the Focus Coupe is set be a real classic. Refining the Focus’ lines, the Coupe looks sleek and smooth and is set to rival the VW Scirocco, Renault Megane and Vauxhall Astra.

Aston Martin Cygnet

No, you haven’t had one too many festive Sherries, Aston Martin really is releasing a super-mini! The Cygnet is motivated by new emissions laws which mean that manufacturers must hit a target average emissions figure for their entire range, this city runaround will significantly bring the figure down for the prestige British marquee. Some will be delighted by the prospect of getting their hands on the sought after badge for £30,000, but at such a high price point for it’s size, it is bound to attract criticism

BMW 1-Series M Coupe

BMW recently announced its ‘baby’ M car, this will build on the success of the 1-Seies coupe, dropping in 3 lire turbo engine and beefing up the body work. The car is an understudy to the M3 and M5, but at just under £40,000, it certainly doesn’t have a baby price tag!

Range Rover Evqoue

This British 4×4 manufacturer has been going through a gradual image change for some time now. In days gone by the brand was associated with ruggedness and agriculture, but the shift towards people seeing 4x4s as luxury vehicles and fashion accessories has meant Land Rover capitalising on the trend. The Evoque is low, sleek, stylish and almost certainly won’t make it up a muddy hill!

Nissan Leaf

Ok, ok so you might not be bubbling over with anticipation for Nissan’s new flagship electric model, but it deserves a mention for being the first of its kind and a true innovation. The Leaf does not come cheap, but the government is offering a grant to entice punters, and it will eventually pay for itself, considering the amount you’ll save on petrol.

This is just a small sample of what motoring-enthusiasts have to look forward to in the New Year, there is more quality automotive action on the horizon and like 2010, there will no doubt be a few surprises! You can rest assured that Nationwide Vehicle Contracts will strive to stock the best new releases in 2011, all available on attractive contract hire deals.

The latest Ford S Max models are now available to lease from Nationwide from only £319.95. The S Max is available in Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X specification which are all fabulously kitted out with features including air conditioning, alloy wheels and CD player. Selected cars are available with a Powershift automatic gearbox or a super efficient Ecoboost petrol engine. For more information please follow the link below:

Ford S Max