The new Ford Puma It has just been unveiled and anyone who was expecting a compact and agile coupé like the original will be disappointed. It's the reality of our days, with the new Puma assuming the body of a crossover, although, like the coupé from which it takes its name, it is worth noting the strong emphasis on the aesthetic component.
Positioned between the EcoSport and the Kuga, the new Ford Puma, like the original homonymous coupé, is directly linked to the Fiesta, inheriting the platform and interior from it. However, being a crossover, the new Puma takes on a much more practical and versatile aspect.
Super luggage compartment
The dimensions have not yet been announced, but the Puma grows in all directions compared to the Fiesta, with reflections on the internal dimensions and above all on the trunk. Ford announces 456 l of capacity , a remarkable value, not only surpassing the 292 l of the Fiesta, but also the 375 l of the Focus.
It's not just the capacity that impresses, with Ford's designers and engineers extracting maximum versatility and flexibility from the trunk. It features a base compartment with a capacity of 80 l (763 mm wide x 752 mm long x 305 mm high) — the Ford MegaBox — which, when uncovered, allows you to carry taller objects. This plastic compartment has one more trick up its sleeve, as it comes equipped with a drain, facilitating the task of washing it with water.
We're not done with the trunk yet — it even has a shelf that can be placed at two heights. It can also be removed, giving us access to the advertised 456 l, with this one that can be stowed against the back of the rear seats.
To access the trunk, the new Ford Puma makes the task easier, allowing you to open it with… your foot, through a sensor under the rear bumper, a first in the segment, according to Ford.
Mild-hybrid means more horses
It was in April that we got to know the mild-hybrid options that Ford intends to introduce in both the Fiesta and the Focus when combined with 1.0 EcoBoost. Being based on Fiesta, the new Puma would naturally be a candidate to receive this piece of technology as well.
Dubbed the Ford EcoBoost Hybrid, this system marries the multi-award winning 1.0 EcoBoost — now with the ability to disable one cylinder — with a belt-driven engine generator (BISG).
The small 11.5 kW (15.6 hp) electric motor takes the place of the alternator and starter motor, the system itself allows you to recover and store the kinetic energy in braking, feeding the cooled 48 V lithium-ion batteries air, and we gained features such as being able to circulate in a free wheel.
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Another advantage is that it has allowed Ford engineers to extract more power from the small tri-cylinder, reaching 155 hp , using a larger turbo and a lower compression ratio, with the electric motor ensuring the necessary torque at low revs, mitigating turbo-lag.
The mild-hybrid system takes two strategies to assist the combustion engine. The first is torque replacement, providing up to 50 Nm, reducing the effort of the combustion engine. The second is torque supplement, adding 20 Nm when the combustion engine is at full load — and up to 50% more at low revs — ensuring the best possible performance.
THE 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid 155 hp announces official consumption and CO2 emissions of 5.6 l/100 km and 127 g/km, respectively. The mild-hybrid is also available in the 125 hp variant, featuring official consumption and CO2 emissions of 5.4 l/100 km and 124 g/km.
THE 1.0 EcoBoost 125 hp it will also be available without the mild-hybrid system, just as a Diesel will be part of the range of engines. There are two transmissions mentioned, consisting of a six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The other advantage of the BISG is that it guarantees a smoother, faster start-stop system (only 300ms to restart the engine) and wider use. For example, when freewheeling until we stop, it can turn off the engine when it reaches 15 km/h, or even with the car in gear, but with the clutch pedal pressed.
technology concentrate
The new Ford Puma integrates 12 ultrasonic sensors, three radars and two cameras — the rear allowing a 180º viewing angle — equipment that is part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 and guarantee all the necessary assistance to the driver.
Among the various assistants we can have, when the Ford Puma are equipped with a dual-clutch gearbox, adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function, recognition of traffic signs, and centering the car in the lane.
A new feature is the Local Hazard Information, which alerts drivers about potential problems on the road we are on (works or accidents) before we can see them, with up-to-the-minute data provided by HERE.
The armory also includes the parking assistant, perpendicular or parallel; automatic maximums; roadway maintenance; pre- and post-crash systems, which help reduce the severity of injuries in the event of a collision; and even alerts if we enter an oncoming road.
From a comfort point of view, the new Ford Puma also debuts in the seat segment with back massage.
When arrives?
Sales of the Ford Puma will begin later this year, with prices still to be announced. The new crossover will be produced at the factory in Craiova, Romania.
