Ford introduces Puma SUV

FRESH-FACED FORD ADDS CHARM AND CONNECTED TECH TO SMALL SUV RANGE

Ford’s new small SUV, the Puma, is aiming to win sales for the blue oval with a combination of a fresh personality and technological punch. The all-new Puma will go on sale in the second half of this year. Like the upcoming Escape, which is based on the Focus platform, the Puma is sourced from Europe. It uses the same turbo-charged 3-cylinder 1.0-litre engine as in Ford’s current EcoSport small SUV — a motor that has racked up 11 engine of the year awards — but the new car’s styling sets it apart from the crowd.

The Puma updates Ford’s SUV line-up, which runs through the Escape and Endura models to the seven-seat Everest. The name was previously used for a European market three-door coupe from 1997 to 2002. The new Puma is the smallest car in Ford’s SUV line-up but the equipment is impressive and features the new technology suites Ford is rolling out across its range in New Zealand. Features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping aid with lanedeparture warning, traffic sign recognition, cruise control, driver impairment monitor, rear parking sensors, 180-degree split-view reverse camera, ISOfix hardpoint attachments, tyre pressure monitor, and side and side curtain airbags for the driver and passenger as well as the usual front airbags.

The vehicle also has voice-activated, in-built satellite navigation on an 8-inch full colour touchscreen, Bluetooth audio streaming, a seven-speaker audio system, and wireless smartphone charging.

It also has Ford’s new Ford Pass Connect modem — a ‘connected car’ technology that pairs with the FordPass smartphone app. It opens the

door to — well, opening the door, with remote unlock/lock, as well as remote start, remote vehicle locator and monitoring, live traffic updates, and vehicle health alerts.

It will also provide fast access to roadside assistance, service scheduling online, viewing the car’s service history, an online owners’ manual, and access to a ‘Ford Guide’, who can explain connected services by phone or email.

The Puma will initially be available in two models, the standard Puma and the ST-Line, which has red stitching on the interior trim, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a unique front apron with a different fog-light treatment, side skirts, and integrated rear spoiler, different 17-inch wheels on a lowered, sports suspension, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, paddle shifters, and metallic foot pedal inserts.

Both models have the same 92kW and 170Nm engine with high-pressure direct fuel injection, twin

independent variable cam timing, and fuel saving cylinder deactivation — no hybrid version at this stage — mated to a seven-speed gearbox. The Puma is Ford’s first urban SUV to be equipped with selectable driving modes. Five modes are available: normal, sport, eco, slippery, and trail. The 60/40 split-fold rear seat can be lowered for cargo space of up to 1170 litres. With the seats upright, boot space is 410 litres. That’s less than the EcoSport but the Puma does have a ‘Mega Box’ under the boot floor, which makes it easy to carry tall items like plants or even golf clubs upright. It also has a drain plug so you can hose it out. Just note that the mini spare tyre is carried in the Mega Box. If owners want to use the box and take the spare out, Ford recommends they carry a tyre inflation kit.

RRP for the Puma is $33,990 while the ST-Line model goes out at $37,990.