Ford has announced the launch of a new ST-Line version of the Kuga mid-size SUV later this year.

The new Kuga ST-Line

Priced from £25,845 and due to start deliveries by the end of this year, the Kuga ST-Line brings sporty styling inspired by Ford Performance models, alongside EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines as well as sports-tuned driving dynamics.

The Kuga ST-Line brings exterior styling including a bespoke grille design, body colour front skid plate, side-skirts, mirror caps, door handles, door cladding, rear roof spoiler and wheel arches in body colour, ST-Line exterior badging and a choice of new 18in high-gloss black alloys wheels with a bright machined surface or 19in alloy wheels in Ebony Black.

Interior features include a sport seat design in partial leather and contrasting stitching.

The new Kuga ST-Line will offer the sportiest Kuga driving dynamics yet, with chassis enhancements including thicker anti-roll bars and a 10mm lower ride height for reduced body roll and sharper responses.

Ford’s Electronic Power Assisted Steering system also features a revised calibration to deliver a tighter, more responsive and sporty feel.

The full range of Kuga powertrains will be offered, including Ford’s 118bhp 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine that replaces the outgoing 118bhp 2.0-litre TDCi diesel – this model is expected to enhance fuel efficiency to 64.2mpg and deliver up to 115g/km CO2.

Also available will be a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with 147bhp and either front-wheel drive or Ford Intelligent AWD, offering from 60.1mpg and 122g/km CO2; and a 177bhp model with Intelligent AWD, homologated to 54.3mpg and 134g/km CO2.

In addition, Ford’s 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will be offered in 118bhp or 147bhp front-wheel drive versions and is expected to achieve from 45.6mpg and 143g/km CO2; with a 179bhp Intelligent AWD version offering from 38.2mpg and 171g/km CO2.

“With our sporty Kuga ST-Line joining the new Kuga and our upscale Ford Kuga Vignale, Ford will offer a Kuga for every lifestyle,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “We predict sales of 200,000 Ford Kuga, EcoSport and Edge SUVs in Europe this year – up by 200% from 2013.”