It"s not the first time...

It"s not the first time the firm has offered a Fiesta Zetec S, but there has never been a diesel version before. The car goes on sale in the UK in Dec-ember and will be powered by a new 89bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder oil-burner. It will be joined by a 99bhp 1.6 petrol variant, and both models will get an ST- style bodykit including 16-inch alloys.

But if you want to go a rung higher up the performance ladder, you should opt for the ST itself, also available towards the end of the year. Under its bonnet will be a 148bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit, and we"ve learned engineers are aiming for a 0-60mph time of eight seconds and a top speed of 130mph.

You can always count on Ford for an impressive display at the British Motor Show, and this year it has its biggest ever stand, covering an astonishing 7,400 square metres.

Along with the new Fiestas, there will be two new Mondeos. A 155bhp diesel sporting flagship, the ST TDCi, will be the big attraction, but a new special edition is on the bill, too. Ford enthusiasts will also get the chance to see the GT supercar"s debut in the UK, months before the first European buyers take delivery next year.

Meanwhile, Ford"s Bridgend plant in south Wales has been given a boost with the launch of a new production line. It will be used to manufacture the 4.4-litre V8 engine that will power the all-new Land Rover Discovery.