THE love affair between Brits and sports hatchbacks or saloons is an enduring one - especially when it comes to fast Fords.

There have been lots of them, from the Escort RS2000 of the early 1970s through the Fiesta XR2 and Escort XR3 models of the next decade and on to the explosive Focus RS Mk 2 of more recent times.

The most fiery version of the latest Focus generation is the recently launched Zetec S, and it has been developed specifically for UK drivers.

While several engines come under the Zetec S banner, it is the 1.6-litre 180ps EcoBoost petrol that puts some serious punch into the current Focus - which will remain the most powerful in the line-up until the ST model arrives in the summer.

Based on the existing Zetec model, the S adds a full sports styling kit including front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions and 17-inch alloy wheels together with sports suspension, aluminium-style sports pedals, rear LED tail lamps and Power start button.

With the turbocharged 1.6 EcoBoost under the bonnet the Focus can scorch from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 138mph.

It also carries Ford's ECOnetic technology badge, which means the car benefits from auto start-stop, a gear shift indicator, active grille shutter and smart regenerative charging.

The upshot is Combined cycle fuel economy of 47.1 miles per gallon, terrific for a car of this type, though my own, largely urban, average was almost a dozen short of that figure.

Technology is certainly the name of the game with the new Focus and its level of refinement, comfort and advanced features that you would normally associate with the premium German brands. That's how far the blue oval brand has come in the past few years.

Comfortable, simply laid out, well built and spacious to boot, it's hard to find fault with the Focus. And the well balanced feel you get from behind the wheel is lifted to a new level in the case of the Zetec S.

Stiffer suspension and the torque vectoring which balances power to the driven wheels combine to make this a truly rewarding car to drive, with a touch of snarl from the exhaust for good measure.

Zetec S prices are £1,250 higher than the equivalent Zetec derivative, though Ford stresses that the car's additional features would add more than £1,700 if bought separately.

There are also options, the tested model featuring a Driver Assistance Pack for an extra £1,000 that comprises Active City Stop, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Alert, Auto High Beam and Blind Spot Information System.

Active City Stop helps drivers avoid low speed collisions, Driver Alert can spot signs of waning concentration while blind spot recognition, lane keeping aid and lane departure warning all speak for themselves.

But the Focus is highly specified as standard with the likes of Bluetooth with voice control, DAB radio/CD player, air-con, capless refuelling, curtain airbags and electric windows on every car.