MOTORING

AN ELECTRIFIED

The distinctive Ford Kuga SUV – Ford’s most electrified vehicle ever – introduces sleek new exterior design with premium proportions for improved roominess and comfort.

Line

The new Kuga Titanium, sporty Kuga ST Line and upscale Kuga Vignale are offered with an advanced range of hybrid powertrains that delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency with the range average improved by up to 28% like-for-like compared with the outgoing model.

The Kuga line-up includes Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, Kuga EcoBlue Hybrid (mild hybrid) and Kuga Hybrid (full hybrid) variants, alongside Ford’s 1.5 litre EcoBlue diesel manual.

The range offers even more intuitive comfort and driver assistance features, including the FordPass Connect modem that helps owners better manage their Kuga PlugIn Hybrid with new electrified vehicle features for the FordPass app. Further sophisticated technologies include a wireless charging pad and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system1 supported by an eight inch central touchscreen. A premium B&O Sound System produces a high-quality audio experience, while a new industry-first, free-form, 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster with ‘true colour’ is more informative, intuitive and easier to read.

New Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Centring technologies help drivers negotiate a stop-start and traffic with greater confidence than ever before, while predictive curve light and sign-based light help drivers see more clearly in the dark. Head-up display technology helps drivers to keep their eyes on the road ahead, and Active Park Assist 2 enables fully automated parking manoeuvres at the push of a button. Furthermore, increased rear legroom and luggage space can be realised using sliding second row seats, able to easily move forward or rearward up to 150mm.

“The all-new Kuga is our best example yet of Ford’s human-centric design approach; developed in close collaboration with SUV customers to deliver distinctive style, unprecedented powertrain choice, premium comfort and advanced technologies that make life easier for owners inside and outside of the car,” said Stuart Rowley, President, Ford Europe.

The Kuga is based on Ford’s new global front-wheel drive flexible architecture that supports improved aerodynamics for better fuel efficiency and helps reduce Kuga’s weight versus outgoing models by up to 80kg when comparing equivalent powertrain variants.

In addition, the Kuga introduces a distinctive new exterior design that is more sculpted and simplified with premium proportions. A streamlined silhouette incorporates a longer wheelbase that creates a larger footprint on the road benefitting ride and stability; a

longer bonnet; further reclined rear windshield angle; and lower roofline. The result is a more energetic, nimble and capable appearance.

A tailored spectrum of choice includes differentiating executions for Kuga Vignale, ST-Line and Titanium variants, each with a unique character to reflect customers’ personalities. With contemporary and confident styling, Kuga Titanium is indicative of the high specification and quality that will be offered to customers. Highlights include a sporty front skid plate and rear diffuser, bodycoloured mirrors, side cladding and door handles, LED daytime running lights and standard 17-inch, or optional 18-inch alloy wheels.

The upscale Kuga Vignale conveys exclusive specification and meticulous craftsmanship through bespoke Vignale ornamentation including satin aluminium finishes for the roof rails, bumpers and rocker inserts, as well as unique, elegant front and rear bumper designs. The exterior also features signature Vignale chrome finished front mesh grille and twin tailpipes, alongside standard 19-inch alloy wheels. Windsor leather seats with an exclusive Vignale hexagon design, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and velour floor mats further enhance the interior.

Bold Kuga ST-Line styling inspired by Ford Performance models includes body-coloured bumpers and side skirts; and a grille, front skid plate, rear diffuser and roof rails finished in black. A large rear spoiler, standard 18 inch alloy wheels, and twin sports exhausts add to the sporty character. Inside a dark headliner, exclusive ST-Line seat designs with contrasting red stitching, alloy pedals, flatbottomed steering wheel, and ST-Line floor mats and scuff plates reflect the performance personality.

POWERTRAIN DIVERSITY

Ford is committed to offering an electrified version of every passenger vehicle it brings to market in Europe and will grow its range of electrified vehicles in Europe to 18 on sale before the end of 2021. The all-new Kuga is the first Ford vehicle to be offered with plug-in hybrid, powertrain technology.

The all-new Kuga Plug-In Hybrid delivers the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine alongside the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain.

The battery can be charged using a front fendermounted charging port, and is automatically replenished on the move using regenerative charging technology that captures kinetic energy normally lost during braking. To fully charge the battery from external 230-volt electricity supply will take less than six hours.

Drivers can choose when and how to deploy battery power using EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge modes. When the battery reaches its lowest state-of-charge, the Kuga automatically reverts to EV Auto mode – supplementing petrol engine power with electric motor assistance using recaptured energy for optimised fuel efficiency.

All-new Kuga customers can also choose the Ford EcoBlue diesel engine with optimised power and refinement. Powertrains are supported by standard Auto Start-Stop for reduced running costs, fitted with a slickshifting six-speed manual transmission.

All-new Kuga is offered in 11 colours and is available in four series: Titanium, ST-Line, ST-Line X and Vignale.

Citroën Ireland has announced details of their new tenth generation compact hatchback, the Citroën C4 and fully electric ë-C4.

The Citroën C4 was first launched as the French brand’s first compact vehicle. However, it is best known for the 2004 edition, which sold 3 million units globally and embodied Citroën’s boldness for technology.

The new C4 draws on Citroën’s long and rich experience in the compact hatchback segment, which started in 1928 with the first generation C4. This was later followed by the Ami 6 and Ami 8, which were renowned for their comfort in the 1960s. The following decade saw the introduction of the GS and GSA, featuring hydropneumatic suspension. The Citroën

BX was launched in the 1980s and the ZX in the early 1990s, followed by the Xsara in 1997, C4 in 2004 and first edition C4 Cactus in 2014.

The new C4 marks the tenth generation of compact hatchback from Citroën and with 92 years of segment experience and a related 12.5 million compact hatchback sales globally, Citroën are promising the new C4 will offer an innovative design and style.

THE

French CONNECTION

Available in petrol, diesel and all-electric, the new Citroën C4 offers the elegance and fluidity of a modern hatchback.

CITROËN IN IRELAND

As an international automotive brand at the heart of the mainstream market, Citroën has cultivated creativity since 1919. Citroën currently offers eight passenger car models in Ireland: C1, C3, C3 Aircross, C4 Cactus, Grand C4 Spacetourer, C5 Aircross, Berlingo and the Spacetourer. Also on offer is a range of commercial vehicles, including the Berlingo van (2020 Irish Van of the Year), the Dispatch and Relay.

The front end of the new C4 boasts a v-shaped lighting signature that incorporates Citroën’s new design standards and includes double-stage headlights with chrome chevrons stretched across the entire width of the vehicle. These iconic chevrons flow to the LED daytime running lights at the top and extend to the LED headlights at the bottom.

The bonnet, high and horizontal, echoes the concave shape of C5 Aircross SUV and exudes an energetic and assertive attitude. The unique roof-line, combined with the sloping rear window, clearly expresses the aerodynamics of the vehicle, while the rear spoiler enhances the vitality of the body shape. This gently sloping roof and overhanging side windows is a nod to the iconic Citroën GS, but also offers a design feature that allows for a generous boot volume of 380 litres.

SPACE IS ACE

The new C4 offers a choice of 31 colour combinations thanks to seven exterior colours options and five exterior colour packs. There are also six different interior choices and a host of alloy wheel options available to ensure optimal customisation.

On the inside, the C4 is modern, featuring a clean, contemporary dashboard, softly shaped door panels and supple materials throughout. The wide horizontal dashboard gives passengers a feeling of space and volume, while the chevron grain pattern on the dashboard and satin chrome (or high-gloss black) accents on the vents, steering wheel, instrument panel and cabin controls offer a comfortable cabin experience by clearly identifying useful touch-points.

The short front and rear overhangs, combined with the large-diameter wheels and ground clearance, give the C4 an elevated posture to offer occupants increased visibility.

ELECTRIC FEEL

The Citroën C4 will incorporate the Citroën Advanced Comfort programme, featuring suspension with progressive hydraulic cushions and advanced comfort seats to ensure driving comfort. The new C4 will also be paired with a wide variety of engine options, including three petrol variants: a PureTech 100 S&S six-speed manual gearbox and a PureTech 130 S&S with a choice of sixspeed manual or EAT8 gearbox. There will also be two diesel engines, the BlueHDi 110 S&S 6-speed manual and BlueHDi 130 S&S EAT8.

The C4 will feature all-electric drive for the first time; this ë-C4 will offer a 100kW (136hp) package with a WLTP range of 350km. This package is particularly powerful and energetic with 260Nm of torque instantly available for clean, linear acceleration of 0-100km/h in 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 150km/h. The 50kWh electric motor is high-voltage 400V Li-Ion battery and comes with an eight-year 160,000km warranty. The ë-C4 will also feature regenerative braking and a mode selector on the centre console for Eco, Normal or Sport modes.

Pat Ryan, Managing Director of Citroën Ireland, comments: “The new C4 finally squares the circle in terms of finding a comfortable family hatchback that offers everyday practicality without compromising on style. The C4 is compact on the outside, but spacious on the inside. It’s also an elegant and sturdy vehicle that I believe will do extremely well here in Ireland. First models have arrived in January 2021 and we will be announcing our prices and specifications for this fantastic new compact hatch in September.”