FORD has priced its new Focus Coupe Cabriolet to match its arch rival – Vauxhall’s Astra TwinTop.

The new Focus, which goes on sale in October, will be priced from £16,995 for the 100bhp 1.6-litre CC-1 model – exactly the same as the Astra 1.6.

Other engines available include a 2.0-litre petrol with 145bhp and a 136bhp 2.0-litre TDCi turbodiesel. The range-topping 2.0 TDCi CC-3 will be priced from £21,940 – over £1,000 more expensive than the top-spec Astra TwinTop.

The Focus is also priced competitively against the Peugeot 307CC and Renault Megane CC, which cost from £17,350 and £17,610 respectively.