New Ford Kuga Reinvents Itself As A Stylish SUV With Three Electrified Options


Ford has revealed the new Kuga, the company’s most electrified SUV ever with three electrified options.

The range will include the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, the Kuga EcoBlue mild-hybrid diesel and the Kuga Hybrid (self-charging), together with two diesel and two petrol engine options.


The all-new Ford Kuga is the company’s first SUV to use the C2 platform, also found in the latest Focus, making it longer, wider and with a more generous wheelbase. Ford claims that the new model is up to 90kg lighter than the outgoing Kuga.

The new plug-in hybrid powertrain of the 2019 Ford Kuga partners a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and a 14.4kWh battery pack for a combined 222hp (225PS). As Ford’s first plug-in hybrid model in Europe, the Kuga PHEV is going to offer a pure electric range of over 31 miles (50km) and just 29g/km of CO2 emissions.


The self-charging Kuga Hybrid also uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine together with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack but Ford didn’t release any output figures yet, as it’s expected to join the range later in 2020. The Kuga Hybrid will be available in front- and all-wheel drive versions.

The mild-hybrid Kuga EcoBlue diesel is powered by the company’s 147hp 2.0-liter diesel engine that’s been paired to a belt-driven starter/generator and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack. Ford expects the mild hybrid diesel version of the new Kuga to emit 132g/km of CO2.


The engine lineup also includes the more conventional options of the 118hp 1.5-liter and 187hp 2.0-liter EcoBlue diesels, as well as the 1.5-liter EcoBoost in 118hp (120PS) and 147hp (150PS) flavors. The non-hybrid engine options will be offered with either a six-speed manual or a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Ford will offer both front- and all-wheel drive versions.

The longer by 20mm wheelbase and the 44mm wider body means that room inside has improved by a lot, with rear passengers now getting 20mm more shoulder room and 36mm more hip room. And despite the new Kuga being 20mm lower than the outgoing model, Ford was able to improve headroom by 13mm in the front and by 35mm at the back. The second row of seats can now be moved backwards, offering best-in-class rear legroom, always according to Ford.


The new Kuga also incorporates the FordPass Connect modem technology, featuring not only a WiFi hotspot but clever features such as Vehicle Locator, remote door lock/unlock, remote start, and more via the specific mobile app as well.

Other interior highlights include the new fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, the 8-inch SYNC3 infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless charging pad and an optional B&O sound system.


As before, the new Ford Kuga’s range offer both the sportier ST-Line and the luxurious Vignale trim options, as well as Titanium and the base Trend.

carscoops

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Edition Ford GT 'Competition Series' Is All About The Track

Image
Ford's new GT Competition Series was built with weight-saving in mind, but also with an improved center of gravity for better road-holding. Among its features, you'll notice the lightweight carbon fiber racing stripes, A-Pillars and side mirrors, as well as the unique race-inspired Perspex acrylic engine hatch with integrated venting. Thanks to the manual latch and the carbon fiber prop rod, weight near the roof has been reduced, though Ford engineers went even further in their quest to make the car lighter, by making the bulkhead Gorilla Glass behind the driver about half as thick (and as light) as on other models. "The Ford GT has racing in its blood," said Ford exec Raj Nair, while adding that the Competition Series "was developed with the most hardcore track enthusiasts in mind, providing a tailored set of lightweight features and unique livery to match." There are also plenty of remaining performance features from the production car, such as ...
Read more

Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet Is A Crossover For Droptop Lovers

Image
Droptop crossovers have always been rather odd and the T-Roc Cabriolet is no different. It will be the only convertible Volkswagen on sale for the foreseeable future and will celebrate its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Rather than simply removing the roof of the standard T-Roc, Volkswagen has drastically altered the vehicle’s structure and body. In fact, its wheelbase is 37 mm longer than the standard T-Roc while its overall length is up by 34 mm. In addition, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet features structural strengthening in the underbody, side panels, cross members, doors, and windscreen frame to make up for the lack of a roof. The folding fabric roof developed by Volkswagen retracts in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 19 mph (30.5 km/h) and is similar in operation to the roof of the outgoing Golf Cabriolet. The presence of the soft top reduces trunk space by 161 liters down from the 284 liters of the run-of-the-mill T-Roc. We don’t think bu...
Read more

Alpine A110 Hits Geneva With Pure, Legende And GT4 Versions

Image
Renault’s reborn Alpine brand has been getting rave reviews for its new A110 and now, as promised, it’s revealed new versions of its coupe at the Geneva Motor Show. Following the success of the sold-out Premiere Edition, the A110 will now be offered in Pure and Legende trims. The A110 Pure is targeted at driving enthusiasts. It features one-piece Sabelt sports seats that weigh barely more than 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds) each and, combined with other weight-saving measures, helps keep the curb weight below 1,100 kg ( 2,425 lbs). It’s not entirely stripped out, though, and still comes with features like air-conditioning and satellite navigation. Buyers can also add upgraded Brembo brakes and an adaptive exhaust system and can upgrade to the adjustable comfort seats. Those come standard on the Legende model, which is geared more towards every day driving and grand touring and comes with leather upholstery. Customers can also choose between two Focal sound systems and two wheel...
Read more