Ford is ready to launch its new Focus-based SUV in less than 12 months.
The new SUV is based on the Focus C1 platform, and will get a similar sporty look as the Mazda CX-7.
Nothing is known yet about the name of the new car, which has been designed in Europe.
The newcomer is scheduled for release at this autumn's Frankfurt Motor Show, and upon its debut on the market in spring 2008, it will meet a large number of competitors, which are not easy to beat.
Among these are established models like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. There are also new rivals set to compete against it, such as the upcoming VW Tiguan and at the upper end the likes of Audi's upcoming Q5 and the revised BMW X3.
Power for the Ford is expected to come from the current range of 1.6-, 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol units, as well as Ford's excellent 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engines used in the Focus and S-Max, and ranging between 130 and 220bhp.
The car shares its wheelbase with the five-door Focus. This prototype's twin exhaust pipes also suggest that Ford is planning a range-topping performance version, most likely to use the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo motor found in the S-Max and Focus ST.
Prices for the as yet unnamed Focus 4x4 will likely start in the region of €35,000.