All-new Ford Kuga Unveiled; Gets Three Hybrid Powertrain Options

• The SUV is based on the new global C2 architecture making it lighter than before
• The Kuga will be offered with three hybrid powertrains - a plug-in, mild- and full-hybrid system.
• Along with hybrid powertrains, will also be offered with the choice of two Ecoblue diesel engines and one EcoBoost petrol engine.
• It will rival the likes of Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Creta if and when launched in India.

Ford has unveiled the third-gen Kuga which is also known as Escape in the US market. The Kuga is Ford’s first vehicle to be offered with electric powertrains from the start - this includes mild-, plug-in and full-hybrid systems. The new Kuga is larger than before and could potentially take on the likes of the Tata Harrier if the company decides to launch it here.

The SUV now features a sleek silhouette with proportions that support more cabin space and comfort. In comparison to the model it replaces, the SUV now carries a more swooping design language with the now omnipresent Ford’s Aston Martin look alike grill upfront. Kuga is the first SUV to be based on Ford’s new global C2 architecture which adds 10 per cent more torsional stiffness and saves around 90kg weight compared to the model it replaces. Kuga is also the most electrified vehicle from Ford’s lineup with the option of plug-in hybrid, mild-hybrid and full-hybrid setup.

As far as engine options go, the Kuga will come with two diesel engines and a petrol engine. The 2.0-litre Ecoblue diesel engine will make 190PS of power and is tuned for efficiency and lower emissions above all. The smaller 1.5-litre Ecoblue diesel engine will produce 120PS of power but is expected to return an even more impressive efficiency figure. The 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will arrive in two states of tunes – 120PS and 150PS. The EcoBoost unit will also feature an industry-first cylinder deactivation system for a three-cylinder engine which can disengage or re-engage one cylinder in 14 milliseconds. These three engines will also be coupled with Ford’s latest eight-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system.

The SUV will come with three hybrid options starting with a plug-in hybrid setup which uses a 2.5-litre petrol engine coupled with a 14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 225PS of power. What’s most interesting about this setup is that it returns an astonishing 83kmpl as fuel economy. The mild-hybrid is coupled with a 2.0-litre Ecoblue diesel engine making 150PS but uses a belt-driven generator which 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. The full-hybrid version uses a self-charging full-hybrid powertrain that enables pure-electric driving capability and combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine.Both the mild and full-hybrid setup is claimed to return an efficiency figure of around 20kmpl.

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The all-new Kuga is 40mm wider and 89mm longer than the outgoing model, while the wheelbase has also increased by 20 mm, all of which translates to more shoulder and hip room in the front seats than the outgoing model. But, the new Kuga is still behind the Tata Harrier which is clearly ahead in terms of dimensions ( except for overall length), thanks to its chassis that is based on the LandRover D8 platform.

The Kuga will be offered with FordPass Connect embedded modem technology that turns the vehicle into a mobile WiFi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices. In addition, it also incorporates a Vehicle Locator, Vehicle Status, Door Lock Unlock, Remote Start, and eCall functionality. Features like these may become popular in this segment, both MG and Hyundai have ‘connected’ technologies in the Hector and the Venue, respectively.

Also Read: This SUV is manlier than yours

Apart from this, the SUV will also come with Ford’s SYNC 3 system coupled with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is an 8.0-inch central infotainment system and a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster which has curved edges for seamless integration with the interior design. A new 10-speaker B&O Sound System coupled with an external subwoofer will also be provided. Apart from these, the SUV will also feature a panoramic sunroof, Ford’s hands-free tailgate technology and active noise control to cancel out unwanted engine and transmission noises.

Do let us know in the comments section if you would like to see the Kuga compete with its much established arch rivals in India.