Ford launches Kuga, its first crossover

The new Ford Kuga, launched in Malta by local agents Gasan Enterprises last Wednesday, is Ford of Europe's first entry into the highly competitive crossover market.

Well-balanced and with good proportions, the dynamic Kuga provides spacious accommodation for driver and passengers despite being based on a compact footprint.

The Kuga comes with full-time All-Wheel-Drive (AWD), while a Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD) model is also available.

Standard equipment includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with combined Anti-Rollover Mitigation (ARM), and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), plus a 'Ford Power' start button.

With a wheelbase of 2,690mm, the overall footprint of the Kuga is compact and its proportions are balanced by relatively short body overhangs to front and rear. There is a carefully selected palette of 10 exterior body colours.

The 'liftgate in liftgate' tailgate offers maximum flexibility and convenience with separate access via micro switches to either the upper tailgate section only or both sections simultaneously. When the upper section is opened, access can be gained to the luggage area without having to move the standard tonneau cover, enabling smaller items to be placed in the luggage compartment quickly and easily.

A lower finishing panel in matt anthracite hugs the lower edges of the entire car, offering resistance to long-term dirt accumulation and providing a degree of protection against flying debris.

The interior of the new Ford Kuga has a spacious feel, with or without the optional large panoramic glass roof. The clean, ergonomic design of the instrument panel and centre stack converge into a large centre console for maximum accessible storage.

The bonnet is visible to the driver and front seat passenger and enhances the 'on top of the road' feeling. The production interior incorporates high quality fabrics and gloss finishes on key areas in a choice of shades. Colour-matched details and integrated colours highlight the instrument panel and door trims, creating a complete, unified look of design-led quality and sportiness.

On the Titanium model, a highly contemporary 'techno' feel matches the vehicle's top-of-the-range aspirations, and is synonymous with the positioning of Titanium series on other recent Ford products. A darker, coloured part- or full-leather trim is offered.

Standard exterior features on the Ford Kuga Titanium include rain-sensing wipers, 20-inch alloy wheels, blue tinted glass, liftgate with split opening features, body coloured handles, door cladding, rear spoiler and bumpers with metal finish skid plates, power adjustable, heated mirrors with side indicators and puddle lights, and dual exhaust pipe.

Interior features includes leather gear knob, footwell illumination, folding tray tables on the front seat backs, four-way adjustable seats, anti-allergic interior, four-spoke leather steering wheel, front driver and passenger airbags, a rear parking aid and remote central locking with keyless engine stop/start button.

Other features include halogen headlights, front fog lamps, dual zone air-conditioning, electric windows, ABS with ESP and EBA (electrohydraulic brake assist), disk brakes front and rear, and a passive anti-theft security system (EPATS).

The new Kuga is powered by Ford's 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 136 PS engine mated to the Durashift six-speed manual transmission for both FWD and intelligent AWD derivatives. This engine provides high levels of torque (pulling power) - 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm and 340 Nm in transient overboost for easy overtaking.

The efficient 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine powers the Kuga from 0-100km/h in 10.6 and 10.7 seconds respectively, for the FWD and intelligent AWD variants, with a maximum speed of 182 km/h for the FWD model and 180 km/h for the intelligent AWD variant.

Euro Stage IV emissions standards are met through the utilisation of an oxidation catalyst with Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and maintenance-free closed loop Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) for best possible diesel particulate absorption.

The intelligent AWD model achieved a class-leading CO2 figure of 169 g/km, while the FWD model delivers 165g/km and combined fuel economy of 6.3 l/100 km.

The FWD Kuga Titanium retails at €42,700 and the intelligent AWD model at €51,400.