Punch added to Kuga stable

Motoring Correspondent

– Ford Motor Company is bolstering its presence in the SUV category with a revised Kuga range that ticks all the right boxes for this segment: outstanding comfort and luxury, cutting-edge technology and safety, engaging driving dynamics as well as efficient performance.

Building on the sophisticated appeal of the new-generation model launched late last year, the revised line-up drops the Titanium specification in favour of the exciting new ST-Line for the powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost and TDCi models, giving greater credence to their sporting character.

The Kuga range gains a competitive offering in the frugal yet punchy 88kW 1.5 TDCi turbodiesel-engined models, available in Ambiente and Trend specification levels matched to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Says Doreen Mashinini, general manager, marketing at Ford South Africa: “The new Ford Kuga is an exceptional offering, and we’ve now made it even more appealing to buyers across the spectrum.”

The 1.5-litre unit shares the advanced diesel technologies with the existing 2.0 TDCi engine, including a lean NOX trap for cleaner exhaust emissions, components with a special diamond-like coating that reduce friction and a sophisticated variable nozzle turbocharger for enhanced engine breathing.

Power is rated at 88kW along with a peak torque output of 270Nm.

Two 1.5 TDCi models have been introduced, comprising the Ambiente and Trend series, both of which employ front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.

The 2.0 TDCi, which produces 132kW of power and 400Nm of torque, is exclusive to the ST-Line series, combined with Ford’s intelligent all-wheel drive system and sixspeed PowerShift automatic gearbox.

Pretoria

The 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol models are only available in FWD guise, starting off with the Ambiente that uses a six-speed manual transmission and delivers 110kW and 240Nm. Buyers can also opt for the six-speed torque converter automatic with 132kW on tap, available in Ambiente or the more luxurious Trend specification.

The most powerful offering is the 2.0 EcoBoost ST-Line, which delivers an exhilarating 177kW punch allied to 340Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the AWD system via a smooth-shifting six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.