When you think of a Ford Puma, you probably think of a nimble, sporty coupé, perfect for posing on the city streets. Well think again – the Puma is back, but this time it’s bigger and better – a compact crossover to be exact. This isn’t so much of a revival as a resurrection of the nameplate. And why not? While it may not be the same car, Ford’s latest offering is just as fierce.
Designed for life
The Puma might be based on the seventh generation Fiesta’s platform, but it represents a whole new design philosophy for Ford. This charismatic car features aerodynamic lines and distinct styling cues, including wing-top mounted headlamps. The SUV-inspired body adds an imposing presence and the increased ride height means you’ll always enjoy a superior view of the road ahead.
Trim levels
So far, two trim levels have been announced for launch – ST Line and Titanium.
Puma Titanium The Titanium trim has 17-inch alloy wheels and chrome detailed side skirts, front grille and fog lamps as well as a metallic grey rear diffuser and skid plate. At a glance, this car looks ready to take on anything. Move closer and you’ll find the interior has a classy finish with a leather-effect steering wheel, wood-effect appliques and fabric inserts in the doors.
Puma ST-Line Styled like a high-performance model, the ST line has the option of 18-inch alloys or the more extravagant 19-inch black machined alloys. The look is enhanced with the addition of a larger roof spoiler as well as matt black details on the grille and fog lamp surrounds. Inside, you’ll find a flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching, which can also be found on the optional part-leather seats. The sporty character is enhanced with an aluminium gear stick and allow pedals.
Advanced hybrid technology
While the Puma has sporty looks, lift up the bonnet and you’ll find a highly efficient powertrain that uses Ford’s EcoBoost Hybrid 48-volt technology. The 1.0-litre engine integrates a small electric motor which provides additional support when required, helping keep emissions low and fuel economy high. And there’s no need to plug in the Puma overnight. All you have to do is drive and the battery pack is charged using regenerative braking technology. The engine is available in 123ps and 153bhp variations, with a six-speed manual transmission. As six-time winner of International Engine of the Year, Ford promises this innovative powertrain has all the performance of a conventional 1.5-litre engine but with far lower running costs.
Technology to improve your drive
The suite of Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies will seriously enhance your drive. Adaptive Cruise Control, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Centring help you to focus on the road ahead while the vehicle stays on course and within the speed limits. Stop & Go will bring the vehicle to a complete stop in stop-start traffic, but will pull off again if the duration is less than three seconds. The Puma is also enhanced with Road Edge Detection which can recognise different types of surface and can apply torque to the steering to prevent the vehicle drifting off the main road.
Parking has never been easier with 180-degree camera which displays the rear view on the touchscreen. And Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking both help locate suitable spaces so that you can park hands-free. Any near misses can be avoided with the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, which raises the alarm if a vehicle is crossing behind and can even apply the brakes if there is imminent danger.
Connectivity and convenience
Inside the bright interior, you’ll find a 12.3-inch high definition instrument display alongside an 8.3-inch touchscreen. This controls a range of features through the SYNC 3 infotainment system which gives you access to your phone, music and navigation systems. To keep everyone connected, you also have the option of the FordPass Connect modem with 4G Wi-Fi for up to ten devices as well as delivering the latest traffic updates directly into the navigation system. You can connect your Puma to your phone with the FordPass app so you can control your car with your fingertips, allowing you to remotely lock and unlock the doors, monitor vital systems, programme the sat nav or even locate it if you’ve parked in a hurry.
Room for life
The Puma has a boot capacity of 456 litres, unrivalled in its class, and with 60/40 split rear seats you get plenty of versatility to give you extra space when you need it. But that’s not all – lift the boot floor and you’ll find the MegaBox, a lower load compartment that provides an extra 80 litres of storage space and can house items up to 115cm tall. It also features a waterproof lining and drain plug, making it easy to clean and providing the perfect storage space for muddy boots or wet clothes. There’s also an adaptive parcel shelf which fixes to the second row of seats and raises with the tailgate, meaning it can be adjusted as required if you are moving larger items. And if your hands are full, you don’t need to worry about finding keys to get the boot open. The hands-free tailgate works in conjunction with a KeyFree fob, so all you have to do is wave your foot under the rear bumper, and your boot will open.
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