It was only a few days ago that we brought you spy shots of the Fiesta-based Ford B-Max, but apparently that won’t be the only model using the small hatchback’s platform. New spy shots reveal that Ford is also preparing a new baby Kuga which we expect will debut late next year.
The yet-unnamed baby Kuga will be placed below the current Kuga and will be offered with the same engines and gearboxes found in the Fiesta line-up. However, there may be a more powerful version offered to compensate for the higher weight of the SUV or a more powerful engine for the optional four-wheel-drive version.
The baby Kuga’s main target market will be Europe where it will take on models like the MINI Countryman, but judging from the fact that this test model was caught testing at the top of Pikes Peak, it may also be available in the US.
The Kuga SUV is already a very successful model in Ford’s line-up. A coupe version will surely be something that would turn heads. The company already announced plans to enlarge the five-door version and inspired by BMW’s X6 success the blue oval has also decided to come with a sporty version of the Kuga.
Of course inspired by its little brother, the coupe version will also take its inspiration from the smaller three-door Fiesta especially the C-pillar, while the front-end is inspired by the Iosis MAX concept.
The Kuga Coupe will also be offered in a two-wheel drive version, alongside the 4x4. Under the hood, Ford will put the same range of EcoBoost direct-injection turbocharged petrol engines as the upcoming third-generation Focus: a new 1.6 Liter turbo, available with 148 HP and 178 HP outputs. Diesel options for the Kuga Coupé are going to include a new 128 HP 1.6 TDCi and a flagship 2.0-litre, available with 168 HP or 197 HP options.
The Ford Kuga Coupe will be launched in 2011.
Ford Europe will unveil at the Geneva Motor Show the 2009 Kuga, the first ever crossover designed and built by Ford in Europe. Kuga was first presented as the Iosis X Concept in 2006 at the Paris Motor Show and then as a prototype version at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new Ford Kuga is based unashamedly on Ford’s acclaimed C-car architecture – well proven in both the Ford Focus and the Ford C-MAX. Available with a proven powertrain and two series levels the full-time Haldex intelligent AWD system is complemented by a front-wheel-drive (FWD) version that is perfect for those drivers that are attracted by the style and presence of Kuga but do not require AWD capability.
The Ford Kuga is available in a choice of two distinct series levels with further options available that enable the driver to personalise the car exactly to their needs. The standard Electronic Stability Programme ( ESP) with combined Anti Rollover Mitigation (ARM), and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) are just two of the significant driver assistance technologies of the new Kuga.
The Kuga will be made available with a 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 136 PS 100kW engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Applicable to both FWD and intelligent AWD derivatives the torque, performance and pulling power under all engine and vehicle load conditions have been perfectly calibrated to the new Ford Kuga. This engine provides high levels of torque – 320 Nm at 2,000rpm and 340 Nm in transient overboost. FWD and intelligent AWD variants return favourable fuel economy figures of 6.3 and 6.4 litres of fuel per 100 km respectively, using the combined fuel consumption figures. The intelligent AWD figure of 169 g/km of CO 2 is class-leading.
Press release after the jump. Full story
At the Paris Auto Show, Ford will take the wrapping off its latest package for its Kuga crossover. Called the Individual, the package was inspired by the Iosis X Concept first shown in Paris two years ago.
Taking full advantage of the ’kinetic’ shapes of the Kuga’s interior, the Ford Individual Design team has developed a completely new color scheme, and combined it with premium quality materials, with contrasting colors and textures.
Although the Kuga is currently only available in Europe, this is likely to be one of the cars Ford will start to sell in the U.S. as part of its vehicle downsizing program.
Ford will unveil a new powertrain for the 2009 Kuga at the Paris Auto Show. The new 2.5-liter Duratec Turbo petrol engine mated to on optional Durashift 5-tronic automatic transmission will be available in early 2009.
The new engine for Kuga is based on the well-proven and acclaimed Ford 2.5-liter Duratec Turbo engine already available in the latest Ford Mondeo and S-MAX models as well as the sporty Focus ST.
The Ford Kuga 2.5 Turbo comes with the acclaimed, Haldex Gen 4 Intelligent AWD system and manual 6-speed transmission as standard, and delivers impressive performance. With a maximum power output of 200 hp at 6,000 rpm and a linear torque peak of 320 Nm being available from 1,600 up to 4,000 rpm, the vehicle reaches a top speed of 208 km/h. For a vehicle in this segment and performance, the homologated combined fuel economy of just 9.9 l/100 km (average CO2 output 234 g/km) is very reasonable.
Press release after the jump.
Full story
