Prices and specifications for the highly anticipated 2017 Ford Fiesta have been announced, with the Fiesta Style starting from £12,715. The model will keep its Zetec, ST-Line and Titanium trims, as well as ushering in a tech-focussed B&O Play grade along with a luxurious Vignale model.

The Fiesta will be launched with the most sophisticated range of driver assistance technologies and connectivity features ever in a volume small car in Europe, as part of the most comprehensive line-up of variants in Fiesta’s 40-year history.

It will be the first Ford to deliver an enhanced version of Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection that can detect people who are in or near the road ahead, or who may cross the vehicle’s path, using light from the Fiesta’s headlights at night.

Also offered for the first time on Fiesta is Ford’s Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking, which helps drivers find suitable spaces and park hands‑free nose-to-tail and side-by-side with other cars. Further enhanced for Fiesta, the technology can now apply the brakes if drivers do not respond to system guidance and proximity warnings while performing forward and reverse manoeuvres, and a collision with a parked car or obstacle to the front or rear is imminent.

The most popular Fiesta variant is the Zetec, with 58 per cent of customers of the current model opting for Zetec. Customers can purchase the next generation Fiesta Zetec from £14,215 with 15-inch alloy wheels, Quickclear heated windscreen and Ford’s SYNC 3 DAB radio with a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Emergency Assistance, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

Ford will also launch a unique B&O PLAY series range available on Zetec and Titanium models offered in two striking exterior and interior colour themes – Bohai Bay Mint and Chrome Copper. The new B&O PLAY systems – exclusive to Ford’s global vehicle line-up – offer an elevated audio experience with ten speakers including a boot-mounted subwoofer and a central mid-range speaker on top of the instrument panel, incorporating the B&O PLAY aluminum logo and a unique radiating hole pattern. The stylish series also get the upgraded 8-inch floating tablet-inspired touchscreen and Navigation as standard and are available from £15,165.

The next generation Fiesta will for the first time be offered as an upscale Vignale model – part of the Ford Vignale range joining the Mondeo, S-MAX, Kuga and Edge Vignale. Priced from £19,345, the Fiesta Vignale features 17in alloy wheels, unique exterior body styling and front grille and distinctive interior in Black Ruby leather, heated seats and steering wheel, panoramic roof and rear view camera as standard.

Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain, said: “Ford’s 40-year reign of the UK car market began in 1976 when the Fiesta was first launched.  Since then Fiesta has been firmly established as part of the fabric of Britain – and remained at the top of the sales charts for the last eight years.  With so many new Fiesta faces coming this year, including B&O PLAY Editions for music lovers and the luxurious Vignale execution, it’s set to stay at number one.”

Fiesta Active crossover and the recently-announced Fiesta ST pricing will be subject to a later release.