Haynes shows you how on YouTube: Mk1 Ford Focus

Buyer’s guide: the Mk1 Ford Focus story

Introduced to universal acclaim in October 1998, the Ford Focus won the prestigious Car of the Year award in 1999. With its bold ‘New Edge’ styling and class-leading fully independent ‘Control Blade’ rear suspension, the Focus could not have been more different from the Escort range which it replaced. 

Models are available in three- and five-door hatchback, four-door saloon, and five-door Estate configurations, and all are impressively equipped with safety and security equipment. Safety features include door side impact bars, airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger, anti-submarining front seats, and (for the time) an advanced seat belt system with pre-tensioners and load limiters. Vehicle security was enhanced, with an engine immobiliser, shielded locks, key-operated bonnet release and security-coded audio equipment being fitted as standard, as well as double-locking doors on most models. 

The Zetec and Zetec-SE 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engines are derived from units previously used in the Fiesta and Mondeo, available in 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre capacities. The engines are controlled by a (for the time) sophisticated engine management system combining multi-point sequential fuel injection and distributorless ignition systems with evaporative emissions control, exhaust gas recirculation and a three-way regulated catalytic converter to ensure compliance with increasingly stringent emissions control standards, while providing the levels of performance and fuel economy expected. 

The Endura-DI turbodiesel engine is also based on an earlier engine used in the Mondeo, but features so great a number of revisions as to almost be called a new engine. Very much a ‘state of the art’ unit, the direct injection Endura-DI has an electronically-controlled injection pump, and an engine management system very similar to the petrol-engined models, ensuring good performance and economy, with low emissions. 

The transversely mounted engine drives the front wheels through either a five-speed manual transmission with a hydraulically operated clutch, or through an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission (available on 1.6-litre petrol engines only). 

The fully independent suspension is by MacPherson struts and transverse lower arms at the front, with the unique ‘Control Blade’ independent suspension (derived from that used in the Mondeo Estate) at the rear; anti-roll bars are fitted at front and rear. 

The vacuum servo-assisted brakes are disc at the front, with drums at the rear on most models; disc rear brakes and an electronically controlled anti-lock braking system (ABS) are fitted on some models, with a traction control system (TCS) available as a further option where ABS is fitted. 

The steering is power-assisted, the pump being belt-driven from the engine, and the rack-and-pinion steering gear mounted behind the engine. All models have passive rear-wheel steering geometry built into the rear suspension, which helps to steer the car in conditions where the rear suspension is at full load (during heavy cornering or a sudden lane-change manoeuvre). Models with ABS may also be equipped with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which senses when the front or rear end of the car is sliding, and can apply the brakes at individual wheels to help steer the car.