Ford iosisMAX concept

What is it?

It's a next-generation Focus C-Max, basically. But more interesting than that, if we're honest, is that it's proudly displaying the mug of the next Focus. It bodes well, too. The pre-facelift current-generation Focus was a slightly dopey looking thing, only sharpened up by a cleverly crafted mid-life facelift; this one should look great from the start. Ford Kinetic Design at its tasty best.

Why's it here?

As usual, we're forced to see past a plethora of motor show concept ridiculousness (as cool as it all is) in order to see the showroom car, but the frippery isn't layered on as thick as it seems at first. Destined for the concept car cutting room floor are the rear view cameras, the all-too-complicated split tailgate that opens in three ways, the cantilever rear suicide doors, the standard issue concept chrome alloys and the multi-LED front lights (though the shape will remain). Oh, and the entire interior. Look through that stuff, though, and you're left with a handsome face grafted to a sharp-suited body.

Show stopper or floor filler?

This is definitely one of the more important cars at Geneva long term - you'll be seeing a slightly toned down version of that face an awful lot after the next Focus breaks cover in a couple of years - so start liking it, ok? There's a good chance you'll drive a car powered by the iosisMAX's internals too: the 178bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine is mated to a twin-clutch Powershift transmission tuned for economy and low emissions. It's plenty powerful, and Ford reckons it's around 20 percent more economical than a bog standard 1.6-litre petrol engine.

Mark Nichol