Ford has revamped its Kuga SUV.
Featuring a more ‘advanced, refined and sportier redesign’, the new Kuga will offer technologies and updates to make driving simpler, safer, more enjoyable and more affordable, say Ford. These include the new SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, innovative driver assistance technologies, an ergonomic and comfortable interior and a new 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine.
Ford’s Perpendicular Parking technology - that helps drivers park hands-free in spaces alongside other cars - joins an enhanced version of the Active City Stop collision avoidance system and Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System for optimised visibility in low light. Further technologies include Hands-Free Tailgate and Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive.
Ford’s new SYNC 3 connectivity system delivers faster performance, simplified commands, and supports five additional languages. Simply by pushing a button and saying “I need a coffee,” “I need petrol,” and “I need to park,” drivers can locate nearby cafes, petrol stations or car parks, and find train stations, airports, and hotels. A new interface features larger, easier to operate buttons and enables pinch and swipe gestures for the first time.
The new Kuga features Ford’s latest design language for a bold and sporty look that is shared with the EcoSport compact SUV and all-new Edge large SUV. A large upper trapezoidal grille and a smaller lower grille are flanked by sleek new headlamps incorporating LED Daytime Running Lights, complemented by fog lamps.
Restyled taillights complete the sporty look, while a new range of 17- 18- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs also will be available in variety of finishes including Luster Nickel. One new colour, the vibrant shade Copper Pulse, will be offered throughout the range. A power-operated retractable tow bar automatically stores itself out of sight below the rear bumper when not in use, to retain the new Kuga’s sporty looks.
On the inside, Ford says the interior has been refined to offer a ‘more ergonomic, stylish and comfortable experience for occupants’. 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 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine is introduced, offered with front-wheel drive, Ford says it is targeting a fuel efficiency improvement for the new engine of about 5 per cent to 64.2mpg and 115g/km CO2 while producing the same power.
Also available will be a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with 150PS in front-wheel drive and Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive versions that achieve from 60.1mpg and 122g/km CO2; and a 180PS Intelligent All Wheel Drive version that delivers from 54.3mpg and 135g/km CO2.
Ford’s 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine in 120PS or 150PS front-wheel drive form achieves 45.6mpg and 143g/km CO2; and a 182PS Intelligent All Wheel Drive version delivers from 38.2mpg and 171g/km CO2.
Ford is launching the new Kuga and the larger Edge SUV this year, after introducing an updated EcoSport last year.