Description
A year after introducing the first generation of the Focus, Ford finally released the Estate version, which, thanks to its ample trunk space, targeted families and companies alike.
In the late ā90s, most compact-sized vehicles were available with station wagon versions. Customers appreciated these cars because they could carry a lot and still have a small footprint, allowing them to fit in tight parking spots. As a result, Ford also made the Focus Wagon, which had to tick, if not all, the most boxes on customersā checklists. It shared its platform with the rest of the range but was 28 cm (11 inches) longer than the hatchback and about 7 cm (3 inches) than the sedan. To make the car more appealing, the blue-oval brand announced the same price for all body versions, which sweetened the deal for those looking for a family car.
At the front, the 1999 Ford Focus Wagon polarized the market just like its stablemates with its unusual look. The triangular-shaped headlights swept back integrated only the parking lights, and the high and low beams, since Ford placed the turn signal lamps below them, integrated into the bumperās corners. On the elliptic grille between them, the automaker put its blue-oval badge, which could be swiveled to reveal the keyhole that opened the hood. It was an unusual but secure way. On the apron, the car manufacturer placed a broad air intake that housed the available fog lamps.
Ford tried to keep its production costs down, so it used the same front fenders adorned with triangular, orange turn signal lamps as the rest of the range. Furthermore, the front doors were carried over from the sedan and the five-door hatchback version of the vehicle. Unlike those, the 1999 Ford Focus Wagon had its roof extended beyond the rear passengers, above the trunk. That forced the car manufacturer to use new door panels for the rear passenger area than on the other vehicle versions. In addition, it placed a wide glass area between the C- and D-posts. Finally, at the back, the blue-oval brand installed narrow, vertical taillights on the rear quarter panelsā ends that flanked the wide tailgate. In addition, the automaker cut the upper side of the rear bumper and made it lower to ease loading and unloading.
Inside, at the front, there were no differences between the 1999 Ford Focus Wagon and its five-door hatchback or the four-door sedan siblings. However, things were different for those seated in the back. As expected, headroom was higher, and behind the split-folding (60/40) bench seat, the car manufacturer created a 520-liter (18.4 cu-ft) trunk space that customers could extend to a whopping 1,580 liters (55.8 cu-ft) with the rear seatsā seatbacks folded down.
Under the hood, the automaker installed a variety of gasoline and turbodiesel drivetrains ranging between 75 PS (74 hp) and 131 PS (129 hp). All versions were paired as standard to a five-speed manual transmission that sent all the power to the front wheels. Those who craved a comfortable driving experience could choose a four-speed automatic for specific versions.
