Launched: The Ford Puma. Stylish, Sporty and Seductive

Image: Supplied

It’s vibrant. It’s dynamic and a pleasure to drive. The media tested the Puma through parts of Cape Town including the picturesque Chapmans’ Peak recently. And many onlookers gave the Puma a thumbs up. The Puma’s availability will capitalize on the rapid growth of the SUV segment, and compact crossovers in particular. It’s ready to take on the likes of the T Roc and Taiga from VW and Hyundai’s Kona. Its powered by multiple award-winning 1.0L EcoBoost engine delivering 92kW and 170Nm, matched to seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

The Puma is available with two distinctive personalities, comprising the sporty Puma Titanium and the stylish range-topping Puma ST-Line Vignale. Under the skin, the compact crossover proportions deliver a raised ride height for a confidence-enhancing driving experience, while supporting an uncompromised luggage capacity of 456 litres. This is complemented by an extensive range of high-end features. These include a large fully digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, premium B&O sound system, lumbar massage seats, powered tailgate and sport suspension.

“The Ford Puma is a sophisticated urban compact SUV that combines a sporty design matched to exceptional interior functionality and unsurpassed connected technology to meet the demands of dynamic young individuals and professionals,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa.

 

Evocative design

Stylish, sporty, and seductive, the new Ford Puma relies on Ford’s B-car architecture, using an optimised wheelbase and track to deliver head-turning SUV proportions.

Puma features a low, sloping roofline for a dramatic, instantly recognisable silhouette, and bucks the trend for wedge-style crossover side profiles with a flatter beltline to deliver balanced proportions. Ford’s design team created highly emotional surfacing over the distinctively proportioned stance of the vehicle and, alongside the engineering team, delivered uncompromised style, access and load-space.

Sensual surfacing continues along the sides of the Puma, with pronounced wheel arches amplifying the sporty character. The expressive front-end features intricately designed “canoe-shaped” headlamps that sit high on the wings, while the LED fog lamps are positioned directly below, integrated into the front air curtain inlets that guide airflow across the front wheels.

Range

The Puma range starts off with the Titanium, which features unique black-machined 17-inch alloy wheels, and chrome elements for the grille, side skirts and fog lamps. The rear diffuser and skid plate are finished in metallic grey, and the window surrounds in high gloss black. Inside, Puma Titanium is offered with a leather-trimmed steering wheel, wood-effect appliques for the cluster bezel and instrument panel, and distinctive fabric inserts for the door interiors.

Image: Supplied

The sporty Puma ST-Line Vignale is offered with black 18-inch machined alloy wheels and a sports suspension. At the front, the ST-Line grille features matt black elements and a high-gloss surround, high-gloss foglamp surrounds, and a larger, functional roof-spoiler.

 

Hands Free

Loading the Puma is made even easier with Ford’s hands-free tailgate technology, which is standard on the ST-Line Vignale. The system allows access to the boot space, even with arms full of groceries, kids or sports equipment, using a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper.

Image: Supplied

The Puma tailgate features an innovative incorporated parcel shelf solution – solving the challenge of what to do with the parcel shelf when loading, unloading and carrying large items. The tailgate-mounted luggage cover moves in unison with the tailgate and removes the need for side supports, ensuring unhindered access to the rear load area. The flexible luggage cover easily moulds itself around bulky items.

 

Award-winning powertrain technology

“Our 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has already proven that fuel efficiency and performance can go hand-in-hand. As a three-time International Engine of the Year, and five-time winner of the sub-1-litre category, it’s a superb package that is perfectly suited to the Puma,” Mashinini says.

The 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost engine is common to both derivatives of the Puma. It produces 92kW of power at 6 000 r/min matched to 170Nm of torque across a broad range from 1 500 to 4 500 r/min. Power is delivered to the front wheels via an advanced seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which provides seamless performance allied to fast shifts for sporty driving.

The driver has access to five Selectable Drive Modes to suit the conditions, comprising Normal for everyday driving, Eco which optimises fuel economy, Slippery for low-traction surfaces, Trail for more challenging terrain, and Sport for moments when the driver wants to exploit the impressive dynamic attributes.

Image: Supplied

 

Hi Tech

There is no compromise when it comes to driving safety in the Puma, which is equipped as standard with a raft of active safety features including ABS, Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Launch Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Auto High Beam headlight activation, and the Lane-Keeping System and a whole lot more safety mechanisms.

 

FordPass

FordPass Connect on-board modem technology allows a range of convenient features via the FordPass mobile app, including Vehicle Locator; Vehicle Status (that checks fuel levels, alarm status, oil life and more); remote Door Lock Unlock; and Remote Start.

 

Pricing (incl)

Puma Titanium                                   R569 900

Puma ST-Line Vignale                       R613 900

Included as standard is Ford Protect comprising a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first.