Ford offers a sportier experience with some of its most popular models, but without the added expense. It would seem a lot more drivers would have chosen the Focus ST, but for the cost of owning one. Now there's a slimmed-down version.
Not everyone wants, or can afford, a car like the Ford Focus ST, a souped-up version of the road-going car.
However, the January sales figures from Ford show quite a few buyers were keen enough to go for a cheaper version - the Focus ST-Line - to get a driving experience with more pep but with less expense. The Focus ST-Line may a 1.5 diesel engine that makes it cheaper to run, but it also has some of the styling and profile of Ford's established performance cars.
The ST-LIne does not aim to deliver the full ST experience but rather a near enough one. Higher output engines, sports suspensions, alloy wheels, a body-coloured styling kit, sports seats, alloy pedals and a sport steering wheel are all standard.
Some 200 customers have bought the Focus ST-Line this year, with most opting for the 1.5 diesel. It has a starting price of €25,920.
The ST-Line version of the Mondeo
Ford has also launched ST versions of the Fiesta, Mondeo and Kuga models. The Fiesta starts at €21,350 for the 1.0 litre Ecoboost petrol version (100 HP), the same engine in the Focus version (but with125 HP) starts the line-up at €24,875, the Mondeo with a 2.0 litre diesel engine (150 HP) starts at €34,295 and the Kuga (120 HP) ST-LIne starts at €36,145.
Higher engine outputs are available on the Focus, Mondeo and Kuga.
