The 250hp Ford Focus ST will cost from £21,995 when it hits dealers in June, with the estate version set to cost from £23,095.
Ford's pricing strategy makes it more than £3K cheaper than the £25,330
VW Golf GTI
, and £2,840 cheaper than the cheapest Megane Renaultsport.
The three trim levels available are ST1, ST2 and ST3, and 18-inch alloys, keyless start, Bluetooth and DAB radio are standard even on the most basic model, while part or full leather, rain-sensing wipers, and keyless entry are all offered on higher-spec models.