Your new Ford Puma and forget everything you knew about it

The new Ford Puma will reach the market this very year to satisfy the market’s thirst for crossovers

I’ll only say this once: between this new Ford Puma of 2019 and the previous Ford Puma from the late nineties and early 2000s, there is nothing in common beyond the oval of the brand’s logo and its name. With that in mind, let’s forget everything we knew about that affordable, good-looking compact sports car that disappeared from the market at the start of this millennium.

Ford adds one more crossover to its SUV family, the new Ford Puma, which will arrive at the end of this year. A vehicle whose underpinnings are based on the architecture of the new Ford Fiesta platform and which sits between the Ford Focus Active, the Ford EcoBoost and the new Ford Kuga.

Although it shares DNA with the Ford Fiesta, the chassis receives modifications typical of a crossover. That’s why the rear axle suspension is different, stiffer, and, for all four wheels, there is more space between the tyre and the wheel arch. In addition, the track width increases by 60 mm compared with the urban compact.

Engines

The engines chosen to power this car will be, from launch, the EcoBoost engines, three-cylinder, 1-litre units with two power outputs, 125 CV or 155 CV, with the second option including mild-hybrid system as standard, and in either case, paired with a manual gearbox.

Later, a 125 CV version with an automatic gearbox but without the option of an electric assist system will appear, and a 120 CV Ford Puma diesel with manual transmission will also go on sale.

Consumption

The Ford EcoBoost Hybrid system is linked to a 48 V battery that provides energy when starting the petrol engine and also delivers a torque boost of up to 20 Nm above the level available from the petrol engine at full load, providing up to 50 percent more torque at low revs.

As a result, the manufacturer claims that petrol consumption is reduced from 5.9 L/100 km for the exclusive petrol-engined model to 5.4 litres for the mild-hybrid version. Consumption for the 155 CV engine is 5.5 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres.

Both the EcoBoost and the 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid engines incorporate the cylinder deactivation system, which automatically shuts off one of the engine’s cylinders when the full working capacity of the block isn’t needed. The system can disconnect or reconnect a cylinder in 14 milliseconds.

Trim levels

The colour palette is wide, up to 10 options: Blazer Blue, Desert Island Blue, Red Lucid, Race Red, Frozen White, Magnetic White, Metropolis White, Solar Silver, Matter Grey and Agate Black. The trim levels also carry familiar names: Titanium and ST-Line.

Ford Puma Titanium

In the case of the Ford Puma with the Titanium pack, the highlights are 18-inch alloy wheels in pearl grey and chrome details for the grille, side skirts and fog lamps. The rear diffuser and footrest are finished in metallic grey, and the window surrounds are in gloss black.

Inside, the Ford Puma Titanium is available with a steering wheel with a leather-effect finish, wood-effect trim for the bezel and instrument panel, and fabric inserts for the door interiors.

Ford Puma ST Line

The ST Line trim has a sportier character, with 18- or 19-inch wheels as standard and a sport suspension with specially calibrated springs and dampers.

At the front, the ST Line grille features matt black elements and high-gloss trim, a high-gloss fog lamp surround and, optionally, a larger and more functional roof spoiler. Some elements of the pack have a dynamic function, such as the lower wings of the ST-Line range, which direct air to the air curtain inlets.

For the interior of the Ford Puma ST Line, specific details include a flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching, alloy pedals, an aluminium gear lever and a black roof. Partial leather seats are also available as an option.

Practicality

The interior is approved for up to five seats and, thanks to the panoramic roof made of two tinted panes, it feels more spacious. Its boot offers 456 litres according to the manufacturer’s measurements, and it can accommodate a box measuring 112 cm long, 97 cm wide and 43 cm high. Loading is made easier by the hands-free tailgate opening, which is activated by a foot movement under the rear bumper.

As for driver assistance and safety technologies, it has 12 ultrasonic sensors, three radars and two vision cameras working for the Ford Co-Pilot360 system, which increase safety and enhance handling.

The 12.3-inch main screen is the element of the central infotainment system that prioritises the display of information, including driver assistance technologies and satellite navigation notifications.

A notable new feature is the Local Hazard Information function, which, thanks to the FordPass Connect onboard modem connection, can warn drivers of a dangerous situation on the road, even if the hazard is out of visual range. These warnings range from roadworks and broken-down vehicles to animals, pedestrians and objects on the carriageway, or other environmental conditions.

Among others, the usual systems are included, such as Stop&Go, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Speed Sign Recognition, and Lane Centring with speed and safe distance adjustment to vehicles travelling nearby.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverFord Puma12 versions · from 28,731 €