Ford Announces U.K pricing for New Kuga 2.0 FWD and 2.5 Turbo

Ford is expanding the range of its European market crossover, the Kuga, with the addition of a 2.0-litre TDCi 2WD (diesel) and a 2.5-liter Turbo gasoline engine. Retaining the existing Kuga's 136HP 2.0-litre diesel unit but with a CO2 output of just 159g/km, the new front-wheel-drive version delivers both enhanced fuel economy (46.1 UK mpg for the 2WD vs 44.1 UK mpg for the AWD) and cost benefits from the legislation changes in the U.K. in April next year.

Priced from £18,595.64, the Kuga 2WD will especially benefit business customers who will be eligible for a 20 percent write down allowance against Corporation Tax for a car with less than 160g/km CO2 (compared with 10 per cent over 160g/km). Private buyers will also profit from the model's improved fuel economy as it falls into the new sub-160g/km banding for Vehicle Excise Duty.

The new performance flagship model for the Kuga range, pairs AWD with the a detuned version of the Focus ST's 2.5-litre Turbo engine. With an output of 200HP and torque of 320Nm (between 1,600 and 4,000rpm) the five-cylinder petrol-engined Kuga powers from standstill to 62mph in 8.2sec and on to a top speed of 129mph when mated with the six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic transmission is alternatively available with this engine. U.K. market prices for the Kuga 2.5T begin from £23,788.30.

FORD KUGA ZETEC

2.0l Duratorq (136PS) TDCi, 2WD - £18,595.64

2.0l Duratorq (136PS) TDCi, AWD - £20,460.64

FORD KUGA TITANIUM

2.0l Duratorq (136PS) TDCi, 2WD - £20,553.09

2.0l Duratorq (136PS) TDCi, AWD - £22,418.09

2.5 Duratec 6-spd manual (200PS) AWD - £23,788.30

2.5 Duratec 5-spd auto (200PS) AWD - £24,962.77

Ford Kuga 2.5 Turbo Individual to Premiere in Paris

While Ford’s people here in the U.S. are fooling around with the all-important big-hog daddy F-450, their German counterparts are getting ready to present a new model in the Kuga range equipped with a 200HP 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine matted to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the new powertrain options, the Paris Show Kuga 2.5 Turbo will also mark the debut Ford of Europe’s Individual vehicle customization program combining a new exterior body kit and 20-inch alloy wheels with new interior treatment options. -Continued

The rather aggressive, but quite tasteful aero kit was inspired from the styling of the iosis X Concept and Kuga preview show cars. The package consists of body colored wheel arch extensions, lower rocker claddings, and new bumpers which have been extended some 50 mm lower than the original design along with new chromed front grilles.

Other components include front and rear skid plates as well as door claddings, all painted in a contrasting silver color, and a new rear spoiler that has been lengthened by around 100 mm. The exterior styling is complemented by massive 20-inch wheels fitted with 255/35 ZR 20 tires. All of these body kit features are due to be made available to Kuga customers as production items in the first half of 2009.

The Paris Show Kuga 2.5 Turbo’s interior that also serves as a preview of what will be available to customers early next year, is fitted with dark leather seats that combine two different sets of materials - a softer Ebony colored Nappa leather for the seat bolsters and seatbacks and a more a more heavily grained 'Bond' leather for the rest of the seat. Both leathers are distinguished from each other by the use of a contrasting light grey piping.

Additionally, the Paris preview vehicle also features interior trim parts such as the center console cladding, center stack surfaces and the door-pull handles finished in a high-gloss 'Piano White' finish that supposedly matches the crossover's exterior color and seat-stitching. Our opinion is that we could have done without the glossy white accesories, but overall, the Kuga 2.5 Turbo Individual definetely looks the part. Too bad we won’t be getting to see it any time soon here in the States.

Ford to Present Bodykit and Bespoke Interior Treatment for Kuga at Paris

Following in the footsteps of the Mondeo, S-MAX, Galaxy and Fiesta, Ford will launch a new Individual interior treatment as well as a new a distinctive bodykit for the new Kuga at the Paris Motor Show next month. Ford’s new styling programme will be showcased on the all-new Kuga 2.5 Turbo 200PS (see details here). For the interior, Ford’s Individual Design team has developed a completely new color scheme, and combined it with more premium quality materials, with contrasting colors and textures. -Continued

In particular, the seats combine ebony colored Nappa leather with a more heavily grained 'Bond' leather. The two different leathers are distinguished from each other by the use of a contrasting light grey piping. For the Paris show vehicle, all prominent interior trim parts such as the centre console cladding, centre stack surfaces and the boomerang-shaped interior door-pull handles are finished in a high-gloss 'Piano White' finish.

As for the exterior enhancements, the styling kit consists of body coloured wheel arch extensions, lower rocker claddings, a larger rear spoiler, a new grille and restyled bumpers which have been extended some 50 millimetres lower than the original design. The kit is complemented by new 20-inch alloy wheels fitted with 255/35 ZR 20 tires. All of the items featured on the Kuga Paris show vehicle will be made available to customers as production items in the first half of 2009.

Ford Kuga SUV gets new 200HP 2.5-liter Turbo Petrol Engine

When Ford launched the new Kuga compact SUV/Crossover in Europe during May 2008, the only available engine was the 136 HP 2.0-litre TDCi diesel unit. That will change in early 2009 as Ford will extend the Kuga range with the availability of a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbo petrol engine found in the Focus ST as well as in the new Mondeo and S-Max models. Ford recalibrated the 2.5L unit for the Kuga as it now develops a maximum output of 200 HP (versus the Focus ST’s 225HP) at 6,000 rpm and a linear torque peak of 320 Nm available from 1,600 up to 4,000. -Continued

Gunnar Herrmann, C-Car Vehicle Line Director of Ford of Europe said, “We always intended the new Kuga to be the most dynamic crossover vehicle in its class. The new 2.5-litre Duratec Turbo petrol powertrain offers extra performance and is a perfect match for the vehicle. The added power and refinement adds a lot of fun when driving Kuga both on- and off-road.”

The Kuga 2.5 Turbo comes with a Haldex Gen 4 Intelligent AWD system and a manual 6-speed transmission as standard, but buyers will be able to opt for Durashift 5-tronic automatic transmission. With the manual gearbox the Kuga 2.5T can reach a top speed of 208 km/h (129mph) while achieving a combined fuel economy of 9.9 lt/100 km (23.8 mpg US) with an average CO2 output of 234 g/km. As for the automatic version, it can go up to 202 km/h (126mph) with the combined fuel economy being homologated at 10.3 lt/100 km (22.8mpg US) with an average CO2 output of 244 g/km.

More details of the Kuga 2.5 Turbo will be released during the vehicle's public debut at the Paris Show in October.

Ford Kuga Tuned by Wolf Racing

German tuning firm Wolf Racing has introduced a new sport package for the European Ford Kuga that includes a power kit for €795 that increases output of the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine from 136 HP to 158 HP. Wolf Racing also offers 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 275/30 R20 Pirelli tires at a cost of €2,850 in Germany that can be combined with a set of sport springs for €199 that bring the compact SUV 20mm lower to the ground. -Continued


Via: Diariomotor

Ford Kuga Achieves 5-Star Rating in Euro NCAP Safety Tests

In the latest phase of Euro NCAP safety tests Ford’s all-new Ford Kuga crossover was awarded with the maximum five stars for adult occupant protection, four stars for child occupant protection and three stars for pedestrian protection. According to Ford, these results place the compact crossover at the top of the table in the Euro NCAP Small Off-road 4x4 group. -Details and pics after the jump

EURO NCAP COMMENTS:

Front impact

The passenger compartment remained stable in the impact. However, there was insufficient pressure in the driver's airbag to prevent the head from bottoming it out and contacting the steering wheel. The knees and femurs of the front seat passengers were well protected. Ford showed that a similar level of protection would be provided for occupants of different sizes or those sat in different positions.

Side impact

The Kuga scored maximum points for its performance in the side impact and pole tests.

Child-protection

Based on dummy responses in the dynamic tests, the Kuga scored maximum points for its protection of the 1½ year dummy. A switch can be fitted by Ford dealers which allows the passenger airbag to be disabled. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. There was no clear warning of the dangers associated with using a rearward facing child restraint in the front passenger seat without first disabling the airbag. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection

The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet was rated as predominantly poor, as was the protection offered to the head of a struck adult by the bonnet surface.

Ford Kuga Update: New Image Gallery

FoMoCo has just released a new image gallery of its 2009 Kuga Crossover that was unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. As you probably already know, the Kuga won’t be coming towards our shores, which is pretty lame if you think about the free-fall of full-size trucks and the increasing popularity of compact crossovers in the U.S. market.

In Europe, the Ford Focus (Euro-model) based Kuga will go on sale this summer where it will be initially available with a 136Hp 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine that’s good enough to offer an average fuel consumption of 6.3 lt / 100 km or 37.3 MPG to the front-wheel-drive version and 6.4 lt / 100 km or 36.7 MPG to the all-wheel-drive variant. -Click through for the image gallery