FORD has dramatically streamlined its Escort range to offer a choice of just two engines, two body styles, and two trim levels. The realignment effectively started last year with the launch of Focus, Ford's other lower medium contender, and the manufacturer has gradually sold out of Escort engine, body style and trim variants.

It has confirmed, however, that the Ford Escort 'Flight' and 'Finesse' will continue into the new millennium powered by either a 1.6-litre 16v engine or 1.8 turbodiesel unit, and available in five-door and estate forms. The Flight will come in three solid colours - white, blue and red - and feature a sunroof, power steering, central locking and electric front windows, starting at £10,500 on-the-road for the five-door petrol, £11,000 for the petrol estate and five-door diesel, and £11,500 for the diesel estate.

The Finesse adds metallic paint, front fog lamps, alloy wheels, air conditioning and CD-player, starting at £11,800 for the five-door petrol, £12,300 for the five-door diesel or petrol estate, and £12,800 for the diesel estate. This represents a price cut for the 1.6 Finesse five-door, and a price rise for the 1.6 Finesse estate, which were previously priced identically at £12,020.