The new bodystyle is likely to account for 15% of Ford Focus sales in the UK and over 30% in Europe.

New Focus estate shares the same appeal as the five-door model with a full range of low-CO2 powertrains, class-leading driving dynamics, outstanding quality and safety, and an unprecedented level of smart new technologies

The estate shares the same wheelbase as the five-door model, but is 198mm longer at 4,556mm. This gives a load compartment volume of 476 litres, which rises to 1,502 litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down. These figures compare to 503 litres and 1,546 for the outgoing model.

The suspension layout has been designed for the lowest possible floor height, while also maximising load width between the wheel arches. The estate can accommodate loads measuring 1,149mm wide, an increase of 119mm compared with the five-door model. Accessory options include floor liner mats, luggage nets, dog guards and load retention barriers.

Polished aluminium roof rails come as standard and can be used as the basis for a cross bar roof carrier system, designed for use with items such as bicycles and skis.

The estate is available with the same choice of engines as the five-door Ford Focus, including the new 150bhp 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost turbocharged direct injection petrol engine, and a choice of improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines.

Various Ford ECOnetic technologies have also been incorporated to help help minimise fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, including standard Auto-Start-Stop on 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol and 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engines, giving CO2 emissions of 109g/km on the diesel model.

Prices start at £17,100 for the Edge spec 1.6-litre petrol.