NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Ford Focus sedan breaks cover

The wraps have come off the facelifted 2015 Ford Focus sedan ahead of its public debut at the 2014 New York motor show on April 16.

The midlife makeover for the four-door Focus sedan follows in the footsteps of the updated three- and five-door Focus hatch revealed at last month’s Geneva motor show.

Boasting a completely revised front-end design, the refreshed Focus offers a more upmarket look via a sharper bonnet and grille and new LED daytime running lights. Out back the Focus sedan gains updated LED brake lights and a restyled bootlid.

The interior also features what Ford calls a "clean, modern look" with updated seat trim, new switches and controls, a restyled centre console with adjustable cup-holders and new satin chrome accents.

Ford Australia expects the new-look Focus hatch and sedan to arrive in Australia in about 12 months, by mid-2015, although it remains to be seen if the new model will be offered here with the ultra-efficient 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine.

Several new technologies will also be offered on the new Focus, including the latest version of Ford SYNC Applink, which works with Android and iOS platforms to integrate various apps with the car.

New driver aids include blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping systems, while rear-view cameras will be standard across the range.

Jim Farley, Ford's head of global marketing and sales, said the new 2015 Focus has "raised the bar again" and demonstrates Ford’s "commitment to continuous improvement – adding better technology for drivers and a sleeker, more modern exterior across the entire Focus family".

Ford claims the Focus was the world’s best-selling vehicle nameplate in 2013, when it sold 1,097,618 cars – up 8.1 per cent on 2012, with China contributing more than 400,000 registrations.

"It is remarkable to see Focus again lead the industry as the number one selling vehicle nameplate on the planet," noted Farley.

Toyota will argue that's a case of semantics, however. The Corolla regularly sells in higher numbers globally but because it is named differently in some regions it cannot technically claim the best-selling 'nameplate' title.

In Australia the Focus was the fourth-best selling model in the small car segment for the first three months of 2014, with 4789 sales equating to 8.1 per cent market share. The local market leader is currently the Mazda3 with 12,117 registrations and a 20.5 per cent market share.