| All-New Model Preview | Frankfurt Motor Show | Ford Kuga |
Meet Ford's new Kuga, making its world debut this week at the
Frankfurt Motor Show. Blurring the boundary between hatch and SUV, the Toyota RAV4 rival will also have
VW's Tiguan to deal with when it is released in the UK in summer 2008.
Based on the Focus C-Max platform, the Kuga draws inspiration from the
iosis X concept first shown in
Paris in 2006. Since then, the roof line has been raised to better accommodate five adults and now features a split rear-tailgate. The Kuga's waistline is now also a more pronounced crease that runs the length of its flanks - Ford wanted to create a more rugged look than that of the
Mondeo and Focus, adding mildly blistered wheelarches and bold front intakes, similar to that of the
Focus ST. In all, the 'Ice White' show car looks great. Sitting on 19-inch wheels that we are assured will make it to production as an option.
On launch, the Kuga will only be available with a 2.0-litre 134bhp Duratorq TDCi diesel, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Although expected to be the biggest seller, the diesel unit may eventually be offered alongside the 2.5-litre turbo found in the Focus ST.
Although using a standard dash design found in other Fords, the Kuga has retained some characteristics of the iosis X, such as piano white door trim and a centre console also in white, whilst seating sees dark leather contrasted with orange piping along some of the central stitching lines.
Ford will build around 65,000 Kugas a year at its Saarlouis plant in Germany, but won't find itself sold in the US.
Kyle Molyneux - 14 Sep 2007