Ford expand its range with the new Kuga SUV!
Ford reveals the new Kuga, offering customers a more technologically advanced, refined and sportier redesign of one of Europe’s favourite SUVs.
The sophisticated new Kuga will offer technologies and updates to make driving simpler, safer, and more enjoyable. These include Ford’s new SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, innovative driver assistance technologies, an ergonomic and comfortable interior and a new 120 PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine.
“New Kuga offers cutting-edge new features and technologies that will help drivers stay connected, comfortable, safe and stylish on the road,”
said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe.
“The sophisticated redesign has given Kuga a fresh and modern feel, while SYNC 3 enables drivers to communicate with their vehicle and connected devices in seamless ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.”
Ford is launching the new Kuga and the larger Edge SUV this year, after introducing an updated EcoSport last year. Ford is bolstering its SUV line-up just as it has been predicted by industry sales analyst IHS that sales in the SUV segment are poised to increase to 27 percent of all vehicle sales in Europe by 2020.
New Kuga and the Edge are among five all-new or redesigned Ford vehicles that will compete in the SUV and crossover space in the next three years.
“Ford is delivering a European SUV line-up that offers the stylish design, car-like dynamics, and sophisticated technologies that consumers desire,”
Bakaj said.
“Demand for SUVs is stronger than ever, and Ford is expanding its range to offer everything from rugged models with true go-anywhere ability to sporty models designed to suit urban lifestyles.”
Kuga drivers can operate SYNC 3’s 8-inch touchscreen in the same way that they use their smartphones. A new interface features larger, easier to operate buttons and enables pinch and swipe gestures for the first time.
“Whether you are craving your morning cappuccino on your daily commute or covering the cost of a journey by transporting a package, SYNC 3 brings to life innovative new ways of staying connected on the move,”
said Christof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering, Ford of Europe.
“Designed to complement modern smartphones, with an intuitive 8-inch touch screen, SYNC 3 understands more natural speech, is faster, and offers an easier-to-read graphical interface.”
The steering wheel and air-conditioning controls are even more intuitive, and feature fewer and more easily distinguishable buttons and switches, making the controls easier to recognise and navigate. The steering wheel is also offered with heated leather to improve comfort in cold weather, while all automatic new Kuga models will feature paddle-shift controls that enable drivers to manually select gears while keeping their hands on the wheel.
A new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine with 88.3kW replaces the outgoing 2.0-litre TDCi and is offered with front-wheel drive. Ford has focused on improving fuel efficiency and the new engine achieves the same power output as the previous engine, while using around 5% less fuel. Claiming to be capable of 4.4 l/100 km with emissions of 115 g/km CO2.
The second variant of the new Ford Kuga will be a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with output of 110.3kW and is also offered in front-wheel drive. With the Ford ‘Intelligent All Wheel Drive ‘versions that can achieve 4.7 l/100 km with emissions of 122 g/km CO2.
The highest spec’d diesel variant of the Ford Kuga will be featuring a 132.4kW ‘Intelligent All Wheel Drive’ engine with a fuel economy of 5.2l /100 km with emissions of 122 g/km CO2.
Ford’s 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine in 88.3kW or 110kW front-wheel drive form achieves 6.2 l/100 km and 143 g/km CO2; and a 132.4kW ‘Intelligent All Wheel Drive’ version with fuel efficiency of as little as 7.4 l/100 km with emissions of 171 g/km CO2.
Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System is available for the first time on Kuga and monitors ambient light conditions and automatically optimises visibility by adjusting the beam angle of the new bi-xenon headlights to one of seven settings depending on the vehicle’s speed, steering angle and distance to an object in front.
Timing for introduction in South Africa is yet to be confirmed.