2000 August: Ford / Tickford have released 100 limited edition Cougar "Eibach". The suspension is lowered 20mm and 215/45x17 tyres are fitted. The body is dressed up with a bonnet scoop, rear spoiler and side skirts.

The manual Eibach is priced from au43,380, the automatic from 45,259. 1409 buys "leather gear".

Ford may have to try harder - the Cougar is just not an `it car', lacking the appeal of its Japanese and European rivals.

The 1999 Ford Cougar V6 launched in Australia, October, to coincide with the Tickford, tricked (up) Ford, AU-based T-series.

The European bred Cougar has a 2.5-litre 24-valve V6 engine (125 at 6250, 220 at 4250).

Go to the Mondeo and Ford (main) pages