Auto Channel

Ford's not been able to keep its upcoming Focus models under wraps too well recently, with leakage of the facelifted ST model hitting the web only last week. The nip-tucked new Focus hits showrooms from January and is to be followed by a refreshed estate version shortly afterwards, the first photos of which have been leaked by dutch magazine Autoweek.nl.

As with the hatch and the outgoing Mondeo, the new Focus in estate guise adopts Ford's European 'kinetic' design language. The front of the car adopts the facelifted Focus' fresh new face, while the rear hatch remains unchanged from the previous generation.

A range of trim levels will be available, including base trim 'Studio', 'Style', 'Zetec' and 'Titanium'. The engine line-up will consist of three petrol units - a 100 hp 1.6-litre, 125 hp 1.8-litre and 140 hp 2.0-litre. Three turbodiesel TDCi drivetrains will be available in the range from the 90 and 110 hp 1.6-litre units to 115 and 130 hp 1.8-litre TDCis.

Ford's expanded more fuel efficient and emissions-reducing ECOnetic range will include two 1.6-litre TDCi-powered models in the Focus Estate line-up, producing just 115 gm/km of CO2 and fuel consumption of some 54 US mpg. Five and six speed transmissions are to be available across the range with the choice of a standard manual gearbox, a conventional automatic or all-new dual-clutch automated gearbox.

Sporty ST and Coupe-Cabriolet versions are to follow closely behind the facelifted hatch and estate models, lagging by only several months and due early summer 2008.