Thursday 6th September 2007

Ford Kuga Has Arrived

First official pictures of the Ford 4X4

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The Ford Kuga, due on sale next year, has been unveiled by Ford. The official launch is at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, but the pictures have been released already.

Following the Fiesta replacement, the Verve, it demonstrates Ford's commitment to improved design, featuring a trapezoid grille and massive headlights.

The engine range will be taken from the Focus, with a 217bhp 2.5 litre turbocharged five-cylinder at the top. A 136bhp 2.0 litre turbodiesel will start the range, and is expected to cost about £16,500.

Ford are known for making decent handling cars, can this one follow suit? No word on its off-road ability yet either.

 

 

[Hendry]

Ford produces a RAV4 10 years after the original. Not much to shout about. Doesn't look anywhere near as funky as the concept.

[Stig]

I like it - Ford's design dept. are on the money these days - IMHO.

[mackie1]

That interior trim is a little 80s retro! I quite like it!

[900T-R]

Well, at least it looks better than the Vee-dub Tiguan. Note, though, that this goes for just about anything mainstream available today with the notable exception of the VW Touran.

[collateral]

Not bad at all, but the wheels and lights are too busy IMO

Aggressive driving S-Max rep guy is calling the Ford dealer as we speak

make a new Puma!

Edited by collateral on Thursday 6th September 11:55

[L100NYY]

I'm going to hate myself for saying this but....... I quite like that.

[Vodka Margarine]

L100NYY said:

I'm going to hate myself for saying this but....... I quite like that.

I like it too, but as Collateral said, I would rather they made a new Puma.

[Fetchez la vache]

Was the interior designed by Tron?

[L100NYY]

Vodka Margarine said:

L100NYY said:

I'm going to hate myself for saying this but....... I quite like that.

I like it too, but as Collateral said, I would rather they made a new Puma.

I concurr,

[g4ry13]

Is this the same platform as the Volvo XC90?

[Silverbullet767]

Great, I cant see the name being at all confusing for the not so informed.
A cougar? there rubbish....

Nice looking 4X4, clogging up the fast lane near you soon....

[flattotheboards]

looks like a nissan qashqai at the back.

[900T-R]

Which raises the question - why can Ford make their niche models (S-Max, Kuga) look somewhat interesting while at the same time putting out visual blancmange in the form of Fiestas, Focii and Mundanos - an obvious ploy to make us go for the product with more interesting margins for its manufacturer, even if we don't strictly want or need the ground clearance or high seating position (cynical? moi?)?.

[JonRB]

Kuga? So no confusion there with the old Ford Cougar then?

What's next, new models called "Mundyo", "S-kort", "Fewshn" and "Score.P.O."?

[900T-R]

JonRB said:

Kuga? So no confusion there with the old Ford Cougar then?

What's next, new models called "Mundyo", "S-kort", "Fewshn" and "Score.P.O."?

Sorry Jon, Porter's been there before you on Sniff Petrol (the old format, even!).

[JonRB]

900T-R said:

Sorry Jon, Porter's been there before you on Sniff Petrol (the old format, even!).

Arse.

[Witchfinder]

This 2.5 turbo is a nice engine - I love the sound of it in the Focus ST. However, I can't help thinking it's a bit low tech and hefty on the CO2 emmissions.

[Frimley111R]

It is based on the Focus I think with Volvo V40 4x4 running gear. It is white because the concept was and the wheels are also direct from the concept - or so says Auto Express this week!

[pdV6]

Ford testing the waters for a Volvo XC50?

[BDEng66]

Silverbullet767 said:

Great, I cant see the name being at all confusing for the not so informed.
A cougar? there rubbish....

Nice looking 4X4, clogging up the fast lane near you soon....

...I think you'll find it's actually an 'overtaking' lane...