NO other industry has made so many giant strides towards reducing carbon emissions into our atmosphere during the past 10 years than the motor manufacturers.

What began as an anti-car movement in California was quickly adopted as a common-sense policy that is gradually being honed to ultimately provide cars with zero emissions.

But if the scientists who blame past emissions for global warming are right then at least we can try to enjoy what we can of the glorious summer weather in the months ahead and for many years to come.

Agreeably, the prospect has occurred at a time when the popularity of the convertible coupé has reached an all-time high.

Enter then, the Focus Coupé Cabriolet.

Styled by the Pininfarina design house of excellence in Turin, the fixed-top convertible, was, oddly enough, unveiled as a sculpted block of ice at the British Motor Show at the ExCel Centre on the hottest day in the capital last summer. Cool indeed!

St Tropez it wasn't when I drove the car for the first time a few weeks ago - the environs of Leeds don't have quite the same gravitas - but the car certainly provided its fair share. And Ford has certainly made a fine job of its first stab at a foldable metal roof.

Opening or closing of the roof by way of a push button takes just 29s - and when it's closed the Coupé Cabriolet offers 534 litres' worth of luggage capacity.

Buyers have the option of two petrol and one diesel engines, all of them proven in other Fords.

The versatile 99hp 1.6 litre petrol unit provides zero to 60mph acceleration in 13.5s and a top speed of 114mph. The 144hp 2.0 litre petrol engine produces a 0-60mph time in 10.2s and a performance high of 130mph.

The 135hp 2.0 litre turbo diesel powertrain cracks the acceleration yardstick in a fraction over 10s and achieves a top speed of 128mph.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the diesel while the petrol units are offered with five-speed manual change.

The big worry with open top cars in the past was the fear they might roll.

To this end, Ford's innovative rollover protection device is designed to protect passengers in the event of a vehicle rollover. How about this - if the system detects an imminent roll then two safety roll-bars fire and extend out by up by 20cm to provide a supportive safety strut.

Prices start at £16,795 for the 1.6 litre CC-1.

The 2.0 litre CC-2 costs £17,795 with the petrol and engine and £19,270 as a disel while the range-topping CC-3 is available for £18,795 and £20,210 respectively.

Standard equipment for CC-1 includes alloy wheels, an embossed rear chrome Focus logo, an active roll-over protection system, four-seats with a sculptured rear bench, electronically operated and heated door mirrors with side turn indicators, a CD player, category one alarm and air conditioning.

CC-2 features 17in 10-spoke alloy wheels, three-spoke leather steering wheel, Sony MP3 player and Quickclear windscreen.

CC-3 additionally offers leather seats, cruise control, a Sony six-CD player, automatic lights, screen wipers and mirror, a chrome detailed front fog light and a grille surround.