Ford is expanding its growing sports-pitched ST-Line range with the Kuga SUV.
The Kuga ST-Line will go on sale in September, with body and interior styling supplied by the brand’s Ford Performance division plus some chassis upgrades.
Exterior changes include honeycomb grille designs with matching mesh on the fog lamp bezels, the grille finished in ebony black. This black shade is repeated on the rear skid plate while the front skid plate, side skirts, mirror caps, door handles, door cladding, rear roof spoiler and arches are all finished in body colour.
Black roof rails, tinted front and rear lights and privacy glass are all included and there is a black belt line beneath the windows, with ST-Line badging added to the bumpers.
Buyers have a choice of two alloy wheels, 18-inch high-gloss black versions with a bright machined finish or 19-inch rims in ebony black.
Inside there are bespoke seats in partial leather with contrasting stitching, repeated on the gear gaiter and steering wheel, a two-layer metallic-effect paint finish to the centre console and a black headliner.
The chassis changes to the model include thicker anti-roll bars, a lower ride height, stiffer suspension bushes and retuned spring and damper rates. The electronic power steering is also revised to deliver what Ford describes as a tighter, more responsive and sporty feel.
ST-Line variants will be offered across all the powertrains available for the Kuga, at prices starting from £25,845 – £5,000 more than the cheapest Kuga model.
First deliveries are expected before the end of 2016 and the Kuga will join an ST-Line range that already includes the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo. It will also further expand the Kuga line-up that will see the launch of an upmarket Vignale model.
