Ford Puma Coming Second Half of 2020

[csv8]

"Ford is set to bolster its SUV range later this year with its European-sourced Puma compact SUV. The Ford Puma is an all-new model for Australia, with Ford announcing that it’ll find its way into Australian dealerships in the second half of 2020.



Its arrival should be a boon for Ford’s fortunes in the commercially critical SUV market. The Puma will go a long way to providing Ford customers with a more up-to-date and technologically-minded replacement for the unloved Ford Ecosport, which is the company's current contender in the light SUV segment.


The Puma features a low, tapered roofline that slopes back toward the boot, which offers a generous 456 litres of cargo space. The interior borrows a number of design cues from the new Fiesta (which will only come here in ST spec) and Focus, like an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and adds a fully-digital instrument cluster.



The Puma is powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine. It’s offered with two different tunes in Europe, a 92kW/200Nm version and a more powerful 114kW/240Nm specification.

Built in Romania, the Puma is also offered with a 48-volt mild hybrid system as standard, with Ford predicting that half its passenger car sales worldwide will come from vehicles fitted with some form of electrification.



The Puma is only offered with a manual in Europe, but it'll likely be specced with an automatic transmission only when it comes Down Under.



Ford is, however, staying quiet in regards to specification and price, which will be detailed closer to its launch later this year.

The Puma will drop into a competitive space currently dominated by the Mazda CX-3 and Mitsubishi ASX, so it will need to offer lots of spec, razor-sharp pricing or a combination of both to get a toe-hold in a flat local market.



“Puma will appeal to customers looking for a fun-to-drive, stylish SUV that’s loaded with smart tech,” said Kay Hart, CEO of Ford Australia.



“The Puma is a great opportunity for us to connect with Australian customers in a new way, and we’re excited that it will arrive alongside a new-generation Escape [in] 2020.” https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-news...g-to-australia

[kypez]

Much better than the EcoSport... It has the potential to do well locally.

Wish it came as a plug in hybrid or EV though. Differentiate in a crowded market

[au2000]

Knowing fords pricing model ATM they will probably throw it up about 8 grand higher than it's competitors then wonder why it's a slow seller,
Hope to god I'm wrong and this actually becomes a strong seller

[Sprintey]

It's got the looks, should do OK.

[jstanovic]

I reckon it looks like a Porsche Cayenne!

[superyob]

Originally Posted by kypez

Much better than the EcoSport... It has the potential to do well locally.

Wish it came as a plug in hybrid or EV though. Differentiate in a crowded market

How long would it take to charge if EV???

[csv8]

"A Ford Puma ST has been spied testing, confirming rumours the Blue Oval will launch a hot-hatch version of its smallest SUV.

And with news the Puma is confirmed for Australia, you'd have to assume a go-fast version would be high on Ford's wish-list here.

The normal version will touch down this year, essentially replacing the largely unloved EcoSport, and thoroughly modernising the brand's smallest SUV offering.

The Puma is based on the Fiesta, launching it into one of Australia's most competitive segments, where it will do battle with cars like the Mazda CX-3, VW T-Cross and Toyota C-HR.


But while the Puma might be based on the Fiesta, this go-fast version is based on the Fiesta ST, and that means a bucketload of extra grunt and a host of performance goodies.

While the details are yet to be confirmed, expect the Fiesta ST's turbocharged three-cylinder engine, good for around 150kW and 290Nm, fed to the front tyres via a manual gearbox.

Ford is yet to confirm details of the Puma ST, but we have reached out to the brand in Australia for comment. " https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...onfirmed-78033

[4stanger]

Puma, ST Line & ST Line V, will be available.
https://www.ford.com.au/suv/puma/

[Franco Cozzo]

Puma ST - what an oxymoron.

Here's a Fiesta ST with the same driveline but on stilts! So it handles worse, goes slower and uses more fuel, but ST badge yo!

I feel if you want to have a 'performance' SUV it has to be like the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or something like the Exploder with circa 500 ponies.

[roddy1960]

Looks okay ...Not the best , not the worst . They might sell a few maybe but given so many manufacturers building similar style vehicles it'd probably need some clever advertising like Hyundai does with Kona .

[kevino]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Looks okay ...Not the best , not the worst . They might sell a few maybe but given so many manufacturers building similar style vehicles it'd probably need some clever advertising like Hyundai does with Kona .

Good car.
But 33k on the road base model.
Way too expensive.
A manual at 23 24
An auto 25
Higher versions 27 w9 etc
Ford only want to sell Ranger Mustang Everest

[sly_ba]

More eurotrash...

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Puma ST - what an oxymoron.

Here's a Fiesta ST with the same driveline but on stilts! So it handles worse, goes slower and uses more fuel, but ST badge yo!

I agree with you points but keep in mind it's ST line not a full on ST.

[deesun]

Better not need PULP. By then prices will be back to 160 p/l and cars will still be a hard sell.

[Ben73]

How is that an SUV.
There's nothing S or U about it. It's just a V. But whatever marketing technique sells I guess.

It's a lifted hatchback that won't scrape on driveways or the concrete stopper things in car parks. I'm all for that. Low cars are annoying around town.

This Puma looks pretty decent for a tall hatchback. Front looks a little goofy, but overall it's ok.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by superyob

How long would it take to charge if EV???

Depends on the tech. But the beauty of EVs are that you just plug in at home when you get home and they charge up off peak and are ready to go in the morning.

Will cover the use car for most of the population.

Look at the runaway success the new hybrid RAV4 is; 9 month wait! Market wants it. Ford are being laggards again and it will hurt them.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I agree with you points but keep in mind it's ST line not a full on ST.

Oh wow so it's even worse

[arronm]

1.0.......

[Eurotrash]

Originally Posted by Ben73

How is that an SUV.
There's nothing S or U about it. It's just a V. But whatever marketing technique sells I guess.

It's a lifted hatchback that won't scrape on driveways or the concrete stopper things in car parks. I'm all for that. Low cars are annoying around town.

This Puma looks pretty decent for a tall hatchback. Front looks a little goofy, but overall it's ok.

I agree. The term 'SUV' gets thrown around too much these days, it's a Crossover or 'CUV' if anything. The one that gets my goat, is when Suzuki markets the Ignis as an SUV!! At least in other markets is comes with AWD, not like ours, a FWD small hatch with a slightly raised ride height.

[ivorya]

I don't think our Aussie version gets the 48V Hybrid setup the europeans get.
I asked the ? on a social media post. The response was to check out the Hybrid Kuga.

I just hope the social media team have know idea!!!

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by ivorya

I don't think our Aussie version gets the 48V Hybrid setup the europeans get.
I asked the ? on a social media post. The response was to check out the Hybrid Kuga.

I just hope the social media team have know idea!!!

Yes I hope they have ‘no’ idea also

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Eurotrash

I agree. The term 'SUV' gets thrown around too much these days, it's a Crossover or 'CUV' if anything. The one that gets my goat, is when Suzuki markets the Ignis as an SUV!! At least in other markets is comes with AWD, not like ours, a FWD small hatch with a slightly raised ride height.

CUV is perfect - Cuck Utility Vehicle

If we're going to have SUVs as our only choice at least give us the real ones like Expedition and Explorer.

[ivorya]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Yes I hope they have ‘no’ idea also

You can build a price online now. It doesn't mention the hybrid system at all.

[turbo4]

Originally Posted by ivorya

You can build a price online now. It doesn't mention the hybrid system at all.

Yeh, only 1 engine option in Aus, I think it's a missed opportunity by Ford.
There may be a method to the madness though. They may be going gauge the interest in hybrids using the Escape, before they bring too many others in.

[jaydee]

Built in Romania, just gets worse.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by jaydee

Built in Romania, just gets worse.

Just spotted that, which prompted me to look further, I wish I hadn't:

Ford bought the Automobile Craiova plant for $57 million, planning to produce automobiles at a rate of over 300,000 units a year by 2010.[3][4][5] Ford said it would invest €675 million (US$923 million) in the former Daewoo car factory

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by jaydee

Built in Romania, just gets worse.

A lot of the Euros manufacturer in these countries. Slovakia, Romania, Croatia, Hungary etc. I know Renault, VW, Skoda etc do. Pretty sure Kia and Hyundai do as well.

[Dr Smith]

It irrelevant which country a car is built in as long as the QC is of the highest standards.

X series BMW's and GLE/S MB's seem to be fine out of the US and I'm led to beleive Chinese built Ford's have some of the highest quality ratings internally within Ford.

Plus an enginneer of some note once reminded me, quality doesn't start at the plant where it's assembled, quality starts at the design steps.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

It irrelevant which country a car is built in as long as the QC is of the highest standards.

X series BMW's and GLE/S MB's seem to be fine out of the US and I'm led to beleive Chinese built Ford's have some of the highest quality ratings internally within Ford.

Plus an enginneer of some note once reminded me, quality doesn't start at the plant where it's assembled, quality starts at the design steps.

I reckon a lot of the quality also depends on the outside suppliers.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

It irrelevant which country a car is built in as long as the QC is of the highest standards.

X series BMW's and GLE/S MB's seem to be fine out of the US and I'm led to beleive Chinese built Ford's have some of the highest quality ratings internally within Ford.

Plus an enginneer of some note once reminded me, quality doesn't start at the plant where it's assembled, quality starts at the design steps.

The first X5's built in the US do not have a good reputation