Ford Kuga Hits Local Shores!

The all-new Ford Kuga is now available. Sharper new styling aside, the second-generation Kuga also ushers in a host of new safety technologies, EcoBoost powerplants and a new intelligent all-wheel drive system.

While the outgoing car was eye-catching in its own right, the new Kuga’s adoption of a more purposeful take on Ford’s kinetic design language moves the car further in line with more contemporary offerings such as the new Focus.

Among the highlights are a steeply raked windshield, a more aggressive front airdam and headlamp treatment, raised beltline and large wheel arches.

Three engine options are offered – a 1,6-litre EcoBoost turbopetrol in two states of tune and a 2,0-litre TDCi turbodiesel. The entry-level petrol unit is coupled to a front-wheel drivetrain and produces 110 kW. Mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, this engine returns a combined fuel consumption of 6,6 litres/100 km. This particular setup is augmented by a start/stop system.

Next up is a 134 kW version of the same engine. This unit is coupled to a six-speed, develops 240 N.m of torque and consumes 7,7 litres/100 km.

The 2,0-litre turbodiesel is mated with ford’s Powershift dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission and makes 120 kW and 340 N.m. The claimed fuel consumption for this model is 6,2 litres/100 km.

The new adaptive all-wheel drive system reacts within milliseconds to assess terrain conditions and splits drive between the front and rear axles accordingly. In a more dynamic driving scenario it works in tandem with Ford’s Curve Control system, which applies controlled braking when the system detects that a driver has carried too much speed into a corner to counter excessive understeer. This is further augmented by a torque vectoring system first seen in the Focus that applies a small degree of braking to an inside wheel under cornering to draw the nose in line.

In terms of trim the Kuga range kicks off with Ambiente, which incorporates front/rear foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, cruise control and an audio system with Bluetooth and voice control.

Trend specification adds rear parking sensors, leather sports seats, electrically folding mirrors, dual-zone climate control and a nine-speaker Sony audio system with TFT screen.

Range-topping Titanium specification adds bi-Xenon auto headlamps with auto high beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, curve control and a hands-free motorised tailgate.

Titanium-spec models can be further kitted up with the R35 000 Titanium Option Pack comprising radar-actuated braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Pricing:

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Ambiente FWD - R289 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Trend FWD - R324 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Trend AT AWD - R364 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Titanium AT AWD - R398 900

Kuga 2,0 TDCi Trend Powershift AWD - R384 900

Kuga 2,0 TDCi Titanium Powershift AWD - R428 900

Pricing includes a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 4-year service plan (80 000 km on petrols and 90 000 km for diesels) and a 3-year roadside assist plan. Service intervals are 20 000 km for petrols and 15 000 km for diesels.

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Original Source: Car Mag