Europe’s Kuga Declared Ford’s ’Most Electrified Vehicle Ever’
Kuga Plug-In Hybrid delivers ‘pure-electric driving’ and lets drivers choose when and how to deploy battery power.
Ford Europe’s all-new Ford Kuga SUV is being touted as Blue Oval’s “most electrified vehicle ever,” and for good reason. The all-new model sports a sleek new exterior design, a roomier interior, and is available in three versions: the sophisticated Kuga Titanium, the sporty Kuga ST‑Line (pictured below), and the more luxurious Kuga Vignale (pictured above). Plus, in addition to a progressive industry-first use of “free-form technology” in its infotainment system, all versions feature an advanced range of hybrid powertrains with best-in-class fuel efficiency and a range average improved by up to 28% compared with the previous model.
The Kuga powertrain line-up includes the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, Kuga EcoBlue Hybrid (mild-hybrid), and Kuga Hybrid (full-hybrid) variants, alongside Ford’s 2.0-l EcoBlue diesel, 1.5‑l EcoBlue diesel, and 1.5‑l EcoBoost petrol engines, and eight-speed automatic transmission.
The new Kuga comes equipped with a premium B&O sound system, the FordPass Connect modem, a wireless charging pad, and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system. Also included is an industry-first 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster with “free-form technology” that allows for curved upper edges, with circuitry embedded across the display and enabling designers to mold it into shapes beyond the traditional rectangular design.
‘Harmonious and airy, the all-new interior fuses premium materials, precise craftsmanship, and state-of-the-art technology.’
The new model, like the Kuga Titanium pictured below, also introduces a distinctive new exterior design that is more simplified. A streamlined silhouette incorporates a longer wheelbase that creates a larger footprint on the road benefitting ride and stability. Other features include a longer bonnet, reclined rear windshield angle, and a lower roofline.
“Kuga customers expressed that they were ready for even more emotional design, and our all-new Kuga is a sculpture skillfully articulated,” says Amko Leenarts, Ford of Europe’s Director of Design. “Visually sleeker, lower, and wider – it makes you feel excited just by looking at it. The all-new interior is a sanctuary space, designed to allow everyday life to happen. Harmonious and airy, it fuses premium materials, precise craftsmanship, and state-of-the-art technology.”
The Kuga is offered in 12 colors, including new metallic Diffused Silver and Sedona Orange. Blue Panther, a new finish offered exclusively on Vignale models, joins premium paint finishes triple coat Lucid Red and Star White pearl.
Unprecedented Powertrain Performance
Ford plans to offer an electrified version of every passenger vehicle it brings to the market in Europe and will grow its range of electrified vehicles in Europe to 18 on sale before the end of 2021. The all-new Kuga is the first Ford vehicle to be offered with plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid, and full hybrid powertrain technology.
Kuga Plug-In Hybrid: The all-new Kuga Plug-In Hybrid delivers the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine alongside the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain. The power-split architecture combines a 2.5-l, four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, electric motor and generator, and 14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 225 PS. Kuga Plug-In Hybrid delivers a 72 km pure-electric driving range. The battery can be charged using a front fender-mounted charging port and is automatically replenished on the move. When the battery reaches its lowest state-of-charge, the Kuga automatically reverts to EV Auto mode – supplementing petrol engine power with electric motor assistance using recaptured energy for optimized fuel efficiency.
Kuga EcoBlue Hybrid: The all-new Kuga EcoBlue Hybrid enhances Ford’s 150 PS 2.0‑ll EcoBlue diesel engine for even greater fuel efficiency. The mild-hybrid technology employs a belt-driven integrated starter/generator that replaces the standard alternator, enabling recovery and storage of energy during vehicle decelerations, and charging a 48-volt lithium-ion air-cooled battery pack. The BISG also acts as a motor, using the stored energy to provide electric torque assistance to the engine under normal driving and acceleration, as well as running the vehicle’s electrical ancillaries.
Kuga Hybrid: Available to order later this year, the Kuga Hybrid uses a self-charging full hybrid powertrain that enables pure-electric driving capability and combines a 2.5-ll Atkinson cycle petrol engine; electric motor; generator; lithium-ion battery; and a Ford-developed power-split automatic transmission. The Kuga Hybrid will be available with front-wheel drive and Ford Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, delivering from an anticipated 5.6 l/100 km fuel efficiency and 130 g/km CO2 emissions.
Kuga EcoBlue: The 190 PS 2.0‑litre EcoBlue engine delivers fuel efficiency that is enhanced using an integrated intake system with mirror-image porting for optimized engine breathing and low-inertia turbocharger. Standard selective catalytic reduction emissions after-treatment contributes to improved NOX reduction.
Kuga EcoBoost: The 1.5-l EcoBoost engine is offered with 120 PS and 150 PS, delivering fuel efficiency from 5.5 l/100 km NEDC (from 6.6 l/100 km WLTP) and CO2 emissions from 125 g/km NEDC (from 150 g/km WLTP) supported by Ford’s industry-first cylinder deactivation system for a three-cylinder engine. The technology can automatically stop one of the engine’s cylinders when full capacity is not needed, such as when coasting or cruising with light demand on the engine. Cylinder deactivation can disengage or re-engage one cylinder in 14 milliseconds – faster than the blink of an eye – with no compromise in performance or refinement.
“We don’t believe in technology for technology’s sake,” says Stuart Rowley, president of Ford of Europe. “Features like our FordPass Connect modem and new Lane-Keeping System with BLIS Assist – combined with our new Ford Hybrid range of powertrains solutions – are designed to reflect the ever-evolving ways that we use our cars, and to help the all-new Kuga slip seamlessly into our customers lives.”
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