Ford leads the charge in hybrid technology
FORD continues to dominate the UK new car sales charts – last year was the brand’s 11th successive annual number one spot – and judging by a host of both new and improved models it already look set to remain king of the market place.
Although a shade behind some rival car makers in introducing electric/hybrid powered models Ford is now steaming ahead with this new technology, aided by millions of pounds being invested in car hybrid technology at its Valencia factory in Spain.
Ford promises that by the end of 2020 it will have brought to the market 14 electric powered cars including, the first time in its 55 years of production an all-electric powered Mustang Mach-E with a performance to match its renowned sports performance and with a battery that has over 370 mile range.
More immediate new models available for the latest March registration plate though are two new cars – the small SUV Puma and the bigger Kuga again with hybrid technology on board.
The all new Puma, being made at Ford’s high tech factory in Romania, arrives with initially high specification First Edition models, ahead of the full range becoming available year.
The Ford Puma Titanium, available from £20,845, features segment-first driver and passenger lumbar massage seats as standard, in addition to advanced wireless charging. The Ford Puma Titanium First Edition, available from £22,295, features comfort and safety technology packs including Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, rear view camera, heated seats and heated steering wheel.
Available with 1.0-litrel EcoBoost Hybrid 125ps mHEV, the Puma Titanium also features exclusive exterior and interior details and finishes that complement the model’s seductive design. Puma First Editions are also available in ST-Line X trims, adding sporty interior and exterior design cues and sports suspension, alloy pedals, full digital instrument cluster and LED headlamps. Starting from £25,195, ST-Line X First Edition includes handsfree power tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels and 10-speaker B&O Premium Audio, available with the 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid 125ps or 155ps mHEV powertrains.
Puma ST-Line X First Edition Plus is available to order from £27,345 with 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid 155ps, adding a panoramic roof and 19-inch alloy wheels.
The Ford Kuga Zetec, available from £23,995, features FordPass Connect embedded mode, wireless charging and advanced driver assistance and safety features as standard.
The Ford Kuga Titanium First Edition, from £28,145, features B&O premium audio system and driver’s assistance pack as standard including front and rear view cameras, Adaptive Cruise Control and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Kuga First Editions are available with all powertrains including the 2.5-litre 225ps plug-in hybrid. The Titanium First Edition plug-in hybrid is available for £33,995 on the road, priced the same as 2.0-litre EcoBlue 190ps engine.
The plug-in hybrid’s powertrain utilises a highly efficient 2.5-litre Atkinson petrol engine that enables it to deliver fuel economy of 201mpg and NEDC CO2 emissions of 26g/ km. The PHEV can operate on electric power only, enabling electric only driving for approximately 35 miles powered by the 14.4kWh battery pack.
Kuga First Editions are available in Titanium, ST-Line and ST-Line X trims, adding sporty interior and exterior design cues and sports suspension, with 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Starting from £31,845, ST-Line X First Edition includes handsfree power tailgate, panoramic roof and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Ford is investing millions of pounds in car hybrid technology at its Valencia factory in Spain