Ford breaks the mould with innovative Puma
APUMA is back in the Ford line up and the Blue Oval brand hopes will turn the compact SUV market on its head.
Packed with innovation the new Puma breaks the mould for Ford with adventurous styling, a mild hybrid engine and an excess of family friendly features.
The Puma is based on the latest Fiesta platform and will be built in Romania alongside Ford’s other small SUV, the Ecosport.
It slots into Ford’s SUV range below the Kuga and the Puma is more than two inches wider than the Fiesta as well as significantly taller. It also has a longer wheelbase which adds up to a roomy cabin that can
seat four adults with ease – five at a pinch.
But it is what’s inside the Puma that is going to set it apart and its features include zip able, washable seat coverings and a fantastically flexible boot system that offers class leading space of 456 litres.
Cargo space is transformed from conventional to one with a deep well below floor level that can be used for anything from wet and muddy clothing to increasing boot height enabling golf bags to be carried upright, a baby seat stowed or room for up to eight suitcases.
The luggage blind is also fixed to the tailgate and is soft enough not to cause damage when closing. As family cars go the Puma is absolutely user friendly and more space is available by dropping the rear seats. Up front, the dashboard layout is familiar Ford with a central display screen for connectivity and sat nav but comes fitted with a 12.5-inch TFT instrument panel that includes an image of a puma on start up.
From the outside the Puma dares to be different - rounded body lines are another feature and there is a hint of Porsche Macan in the shape of the bonnet and front wings.
The Puma will be powered initially by a range of Ford’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost engines in various power outputs ranging from 95 to 155ps and the line up includes a 125ps mild hybrid.
A 1.5-litre engine is planned for introduction later as is a seven speed dual clutch transmission.
The new Puma is slated for release in the UK early next year and is likely to be priced from around £19,000.