This is how the Ford Puma now looks, a new crossover with Mild-Hybrid technology

Look who’s back! In the 2000s the Ford Puma was discontinued as a compact coupe due to poor sales, so almost 20 years later we were a little surprised that Ford had decided to bring the Puma back. When its silhouette was first teased a few days ago, we already imagined where things were heading, but now we can confirm that the Puma is back, but as a compact crossover.

Attractive design and technological interior

It will remain a compact vehicle aimed at the B-segment, but its design and architecture allow for better dimensions. Overall, the new Ford Puma features a low roofline that gives it its own distinctive silhouette, along with balanced proportions thanks to a waistline that is flatter than the rest of the competition. From the front, the Ford Puma has an aggressive design and, as is the house style, a large front grille, but it stands apart with headlights that seem to want to spill out of the bodywork, giving it a completely different look.

That said, there will be several trim levels that give the Puma a different personality. From Ford, the ones that stand out for their looks and equipment are the Titanium trim, with chrome and grey exterior elements, plus leather and wood-effect inserts for a more elegant image, and the ST-Line trim, with matte black and high-gloss black elements, as well as new suspension and wheels to emphasise a sporty character. To complement these two trims and the rest, 10 colours will be available to choose from.

Inside the Ford Puma we find the simple yet attractive design the brand is known for, but for this new generation of Puma we will also have the latest technological advances, which can be expanded depending on the trim and the list of available options. Depending on the trim, it can be fitted with washable covers for the front and rear seats, front seats with lumbar massage, a panoramic roof, a wireless smartphone charger, or the B&O sound system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer installed in the boot without taking up space. By the way, the boot offers a capacity of 456 litres, plus an 80-litre false floor and a handy drain plug in case you want to wash it out with water.

The infotainment system is powered by an 8-inch touchscreen that includes connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at no extra cost, through which you can also use the FordPass Connect services, including WiFi access for up to 10 devices at once. You can also equip a 12.3-inch colour screen for the instrument panel, which is fully customisable to prioritise the information the driver wants to receive, with intuitive, easy-to-read images and icons in a tint that prevents eye strain.

In terms of safety, the new Ford Puma can be equipped with systems that put it at the very top of the B-segment, some of them new even for a vehicle of this type within the Oval brand. Thanks to 12 sensors, two cameras and three radars, you can use the range of functions grouped under Ford Co-Pilot 360, which assist with various tasks such as parking and driving. This includes systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, Speed Sign Recognition, Lane Centring, Local Hazard Information, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking, and the 180-degree rear-view camera, among others.

Mild-Hybrid technology as the main star

Mechanically, the new Ford Puma relies on Mild-Hybrid technology backed by the 1.0 EcoBoost three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, offered with power outputs of 122 CV and 155 CV. This engine incorporates a BISG starter-generator of 11.5 kW that replaces the conventional alternator, capable of recovering energy during braking and storing it in a 48 V battery, and subsequently providing an extra 50 Nm of torque and improving consumption to 5.4 l/100 km in the 122 CV version and 5.6 l/100 km in the 155 CV engine, as well as CO2 emissions of 124 and 127 g/km respectively.

Another interesting function the BISG gives the new Ford Puma is the ability to coast with the engine off when driving below 15 km/h, restarting as soon as it is needed again in just 300 milliseconds. It will also feature a cylinder deactivation function, which can switch one of the cylinders off and back on in just 14 milliseconds, a function that activates when the engine does not need its full capacity.

But those who do not want the Mild-Hybrid technology in the Ford Puma can opt for a conventional petrol variant of the 1.0 EcoBoost engine, which produces 125 CV, with a consumption of 5.8 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 131 g/km, all of them linked to a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox. Later on there will be an EcoBlue diesel option, which will be paired with the seven-speed automatic gearbox.

We do not yet know the price of the new Ford Puma in Spain, but we do know that sales will begin at the end of this same year.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverFord Puma12 versions · from 28,731 €