FORD is predicting a sales surge as estate versions of the new generation Focus are about to hit the streets.

The outgoing estate, which was introduced in 2008, sold 179,000 models accounting for some 12.5 per cent of Focus sales.

But with 2,000 UK customer orders already in the bag for the all-new estate, the Blue Oval brand is expecting that percentage to leap to 18 per cent.

Mark Simpson, Ford Britain's marketing director, said: "The all-new Focus has been a big hit with UK customers looking online and visiting dealerships and our attractive Focus estate completes the line up for them

"The new Focus estate's athletic looks gives the car its own unique personality and we believe will broaden its appeal."

The estate boasts the same technologies as the five-door, including the optional £750 Driver Assistance Pack comprising Active City Stop, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Blind Spot Information System, Auto High Beam and Driver Alert.

It is also available with the same engines, the most popular being the 1.6-litre TDCi 115PS unit which comes with standard Auto-Start-Stop and has CO emissions starting at 109g/km. 

Also in the line-up is the new 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost 150PS turbocharged direct injection petrol engine, which debuted on the C-MAX last year.

Compared to the five-door Focus the estate is 20cms longer, has 10cms greater width between the wheel arches and a maximum load capacity of 1,502 litres with the back seats lowered.

Priced from £17,100, the car also comes with more than £1,000 of additional standard equipment compared to the equivalent outgoing model, including Bluetooth and voice control, USB connection, aluminium roof rails, tonneau cover, driver lumbar adjust and torque vectoring control all as standard.