IF you have not owned, or driven one yourself, you will know someone who has.

Not for nothing is the Fiesta Ford's most successful small car, with more than 12 million of them sold since it was first introduced in 1976.

Now the Blue Oval is out to satisfy a whole new motoring generation with its latest fun-loving, fashionable take on the popular supermini. It goes on sale throughout Britain this coming autumn.

The all-new Fiesta's exterior and interior design is taken from the striking Verve Concept, first seen at the Frankfurt, Germany, Motor Show last autumn.

That design exercise picked up a few awards, which means the next-generation model has the promise to shake-up Britain's supermini scene.

Radically different in design from the outgoing version, the 2008 Fiesta is more stylish, with better build quality, and features quality materials.

Model choice is better, too, says Ford, but the firm says it will still be as affordable, and remain true to Fiesta fundamentals of practicality, agility and safety.

Compact, traffic jam-busting dimensions stay, yet the new structure is both lighter and stronger than before.

This sixth generation of the Fiesta will be offered in both three and five-door body styles, and the coupe-like profile of both versions clearly state that this is a small car with a big presence.

The Ford Convers+ system - already available on the firm's Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy models - will feature in the cabin, and there is keyless ignition, a convenient tray, with sockets, for MP3 players, along with the traditional 12-volt outlet.

Bluetooth connectivity with voice control will be an option. Engines are a mix of efficient petrols and diesels, with the 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre petrol units joined by a new 1.6-litre option.

For economy, Ford's TDCi common-rail diesel engines will continue to be offered in 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre guises. Later this year, a Fiesta ECOnetic, with CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km, will become available.

All Fiestas will get the Durashift five-speed manual transmission, and a four-speed automatic transmission will be optional on certain models.

Electric power-assist steering is available in the Fiesta for the first time. Full technical details and UK trim levels for the new Fiesta will be released closer to the model's UK launch this autumn 2008.

By the way, as the on-sale date approaches, watch out for some real Fiesta bargains as the old model ends its run. Expect special editions, and dealer promotions, in the UK this summer.

Finally, the other news from Ford concerns its newcomer to the crossover market, the Kuga, which arrives in Britain this June. The Blue Oval has just issued prices for the 2.0-litre, 44.1mpg, diesel's two variants - the Zetec will cost £20,495, and the Titanium £22,495.

With seating for up to five adults, and a luggage capacity of 1,355 litres when in two-seat mode, the stylish Kuga also has six-speed manual transmission, keyless start, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, electronic stability, the Ford Easy fuel system, and an MP3 connector.

Roelant de Waard, chairman, Ford of Britain, said he was confident the Kuga would give the competition a run for their money.