A NEW-LOOK Ford Fiesta will be on the road early next year as Britain's favourite supermini gets a mid-life makeover.

Significant changes are being made to the front design to differentiate between model variants while extra equipment including LED headlights are being fitted across the range.

Prices are up by only a few hundred pounds with the line up now starting from £16,620 although full UK pricing details are still to be revealed.

Extra technology is being fitted including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and advanced high-tech features such as sensors which alert drivers to unseen hazards ahead or if they pass through no entry signs are also becoming available.

Mechanical updates are minimal with the range continuing to feature a variety of powertrains including mild-hybrid options although the sporty Fiesta ST is getting a torque boost - up 10 per cent to 320Nm.

Roelant de Waard, general manager for passenger vehicles at Ford of Europe said: "Moving with the times to set new standards for fun-to-drive, technology and efficiency has been a huge part of Fiesta's enduring success.

"The new Fiesta is another big leap forward for the small car segment, and offers a model to suit every lifestyle."

The Wrong Way Alert technology uses a windscreen-mounted camera in combination with information from the car's navigation system to provide drivers with an audible and visual warning should they drive through two No Entry signs on a motorway ramp.

Further sophisticated technologies available include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Speed Sign Recognitiondesigned to help maintain a safe driving distance from the vehicle ahead. The system can automatically bring the car to a complete halt and automatically pull away again in stop-start traffic, in vehicles equipped with Powershift automatic transmission.

Also helping drivers negotiate cities with ease, Active Park Assistcan detect suitably-sized parking spaces and can control the steering to park hands-free nose-to-tail and side-by-side with other cars, while the driver controls acceleration and braking and gear selection.

Technologies designed to prevent or mitigate the effect of collisions with other road users include Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert and Active Braking,Lane-Keeping Aidand Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking.

There's also a Rear Occupant Alert which warns drivers to check the rear seats at the end of a drive if the car senses the back doors have been opened when starting off.

Since its launch in 2017 the current seventh generation of the Fiesta has remained at the top of the sales charts and with the car now available in a variety of guises including luxury Vignale specification, SUV-like Active bodystyles as well as the hot ST it has reinforced its appeal.

Van derivatives are also being updated with the new line up now starting from £16,715 before VAT for Trend models and £16,790 for Sport versions.