Focus shows why we’re big on estates

WHILE the world, or at least Europe, has fallen in love with the crossover, I remain doggedly loyal to a much more traditional form of family car – the estate.

There’s something very British about it; dogs, picnics in the countryside and seaside holidays.

We used to buy more of them than our continental cousins, and still do.

I’ve owned plenty over the years, from Citroens to Subarus to the iconic and bulletproof Mercedes-benz E-class (the W124 model from the late 80s). So we kick off this road test of the new Ford Focus estate in a positive frame of mind.

One of my first cars was an Escort estate and I went on to have several. Attractive they were, too. As is this one.

We’re testing the St-line version which looks particularly good with its sexily styled alloy wheels, rear spoiler and body kit. It rides 10mm lower than the other estate models which gives it a more purposeful stance.

The car’s vital statistics are an overall length 290mm longer than the five-door hatchback, but with Ford Focus St-line Five-door estate

Price: £26,400

Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder, 180bhp 0-62mph: 8.5sec Fuel consumption: 49.6mpg

an identical wheelbase. There’s no extra legroom in the front of the car so you won’t know you’re in the estate version, but rear seat passengers will as there’s a bit more headroom. Of course the whole point in paying your extra £1,080 over the price of the hatchback is to get extra luggage space.

Seats up, the Focus gives you 608 litres – folded, it’s 1,653 litres. That’s more than you’ll get in a It had been all quiet on the ‘Black’ edition front for a while, but now we have a couple of Mazdas that follow the recipe.

First up is the Mazda2 Black+ Edition which is limited to 500 cars and costs £15,795. It’s based on the 90bhp SE-L Nav+ but adds 16in black alloy wheels, privacy glass and a black roof spoiler.

The other special is the CX-3 Sport Black+, again based on SE-L Nav+ trim, and adds 18in alloys, chrome side and bumper trims, a heated steering wheel, reversing camera and a colour heads-up display. Yours for £22,195 with a manual box and £23,195 for the auto. Available to order now.

Motorcycle Live is being held as usual at Birmingham’s NEC and takes place between November 17-25. This year the organisers are staging a Get the Band Back Together theme in which old biker mates who have lost touch can reunite at the event. You can win tickets for up to 10 friends by going to Motorcycle Live’s Facebook page and explaining why you and your friends deserve the tickets. Special credit will be given to those who include then-and-now photos. You’ve only got until Monday to do it though.

Volvo claims this could challenge short-haul air travel. It’s the 360c and is a fully autonomous and fully electric car needing no input from its driver.The Swedish firm says it would be perfect for routes of about 185 miles. The idea is you’ll be able to work in it, sleep in it or watch films while silently being driven to your destination. No check-in or noisy airliner to worry about.Just the thought of there being a wobble in the software and you having an accident while you’re asleep. And that’s why I can’t see it happening in my lifetime. Cars I’ve tried with autonomous features simply don’t work properly.