THE first Ford which can park itself will be making its debut in the next few weeks when a sensational new C-Max goes on sale.

In more ways than one this new model is vitally important for Britain's top selling car company.

Not only does it give us a glimpse of what the next Ford Focus will be like but it's also Ford's first truly global model.

With engines made in the UK and the vehicle itself being produced in Spain, the new C-Max is the first evidence of Ford's One World strategy kicking into gear.

Seven seat versions will be exported from the Valencia factory to Ford's homeland in North America while across the globe the company will use the platform on which the C-Max is based to build two million cars a year in ten different guises - including a hybrid.

The One World plan was announced by Ford supremo Alan Mulally at the height of the economic crisis and was designed to put the Big Blue Oval back at the top of world car production.

If the C-Max is anything to go by it appears to be a touch of genius for the car is remarkable in almost every aspect.

Compared to rivals Ford could be accused of playing catch up with certain features of the latest C-Max but it has timed its strike to perfection.

The original C-Max came on the scene in 2002 and joined the likes of the Renault Scenic and VW Touran in a new market for compact people movers.

Over the years demand for such cars has grown to take up almost six per cent of UK sales and the family-friendly trend has shifted in favour of seven, not five, seaters.

Ford's solution is to make two versions of the C-Max with a five seater being more of a beefed up coupe-like hatch and a seven seat Grand C-Max catering for those who want a more conventional MPV.

From the front both have distinctive looks with large trapezoidal grilles in keeping with Ford's kinetic design ethos created by British style director Martin Smith.

The five seater is more of a baby S-Max aimed at those who want an above average sized hatch while the Grand C-Max is more with the family in mind.

Both have electric tailgates and fold flat seats which can be operated by one hand for convenience. The Grand C-Max has a wheelbase some six-inches longer and also features sliding side doors to make access easier.

Inside the dash is as much of a style sensation as the body, set off on high grade Titanium models by a gloss black control unit for the audio controls.

There's a generous glove box, door bins, a sunglasses holder mounted in the roof while in the back there's underfloor storage.

Cargo space ranges from 432 to 1,700 litres but with all seven seats in place in the Grand C-Max there's just 56 litres of space - enough only for a couple of shopping bags.

Yet, such is the flexibility of the seating arrangement the Grand C-Max can be configured as a spacious four seater with the rear pair folding flat and the centre middle seat stowed cleverly inside the adjacent right hand middle seat. The whole operation can be carried out in around a minute.

LED interior lights, a swish instrument panel with blue needles on the dials and a multi-function steering wheel complete the quality feel while standard equipment across the range includes Bluetooth/USB connections, voice control, air conditioning, a heated windscreen and a digital radio.

From a practical point of view both versions are spot on but the really special qualities appear out on the road.

Improved sound insulation has reduced engine and wind noise to almost nil - the C-Max is as quiet as a limo inside while the ride is smooth and balanced.

Under the bonnet the C-Max is breaking new ground as well with the arrival of a 1.6-litre version of Ford's EcoBoost engine.

Mimicking the economy of a diesel with the performance of a petrol engine it is outstanding, its 150bhp giving the car plenty of performance.

The EcoBoost range was introduced earlier in the year in the larger S-Max and Galaxy models and those used Ford's Powershift semi-automatic transmission.

In the C-Max the turbo engine is linked to a six speed manual box and the combination results in 0 to 60mph acceleration of 9.4 seconds, a top speed of 127mph with CO2 emissions of 154g/km and average fuel economy of 42.8mpg.

It is lively and responsive and with an uprated steering rack the drive is out of the top drawer. The handling is enhanced by what Ford calls torque vectoring control which gives great grip when cornering.

Other electronic aids include traction control, hill start assist and an anti-roll device while blind spot alerts, tyre pressure monitors and cruise control are also available.

Two other 1.6 petrol engines - one developing 105 and the other 125bhp - will be available in the line up as will two diesels, a 1.6 developing 115bhp and a two-litre with 140bhp on tap.

The larger diesel is the top performer in the C-Max range with 0 to 60 in 8.6 seconds, 130mph top speed, fuel economy of 55.4mpg and CO2 emissions down to 134g/km.

Compared to the original C-Max emissions are down across the range, economy is improved and so is performance.

Only two trim levels will be available, Zetec and Titanium, with prices ranging from £16,745 for the five seater with a 105bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine to £23,245 for the two-litre diesel complete with Powershift box.

The auto parking system - which can slot the car into a roadside space less than four feet longer than the vehicle - is an extra costing up to £525 and will be available only on top grade versions. Sat nav is also an option at £750 but both are likely to be popular features.

To keep prices competitive Ford is offering many of the extras in option packs and a top specification Grand C-Max with the likes of leather upholstery, xenon headlights, sat nav, auto parking plus extra body kit such as darkened rear windows and roof rails will come in just shy of £27,000.

Luxury touches aside Ford anticipates the most popular version will be the Grand C-Max in Zetec trim costing £19,745 which is actually £750 less than the previous models in similar specification.

It is hard to pick fault with either model, the engines, handling, specification and the overall quality is exceptional even by Ford's standards.

If this is a taste of what is to come, then the new Focus is likely to be incredible.