Ford has taken the wraps off its new Focus Active wagon derivative, giving its estate “SUV-inspired” styling and a raised ride height.

While the Focus Active hatchback was revealed earlier in 2018, these are the first official images the Blue Oval brand has released of the raised wagon variant. It goes without saying, though, that we shouldn’t expect to see this particular model on South African roads (we will, however, see the new hatch in earlier 2019).

Ford says the German-built newcomer boasts a “bespoke chassis configuration” (as well as new “slippery” and “trail” driving modes) that allow it to deliver “rough-road ability and a higher driving position”. It furthermore gains a set of roof rails, while the suspension has been raised by 30 mm at the front and 34 mm at the rear.

The Focus Active also features a darkened grille with a unique mesh pattern, plus protective plastic cladding from the front bumper lip, over the wheel arches and side profile to the rear. Silver-finished front and rear skid plates and model-specific alloy wheel designs are also included.

The high-riding wagon will be offered in Europe with powertrains already doing duty in the hatchback, including the 1,0-litre EcoBoost and 1,5-litre EcoBoost petrol engines, as well as the 2,0-litre EcoBlue diesel unit.

Original article from Car