Photo: Ford
Ford is continuing its electrified model offensive in Europe with the start of production for the Puma subcompact crossover, one of its most anticipated new car models of the year. The Blue Oval announced on Tuesday (October 8) assembly of the model has begun at the factory it owns in Craiova, Romania.
The car, powered by a single engine paired to a mild hybrid system, is the first electrified vehicle to be manufactured in the east European country. To sell on a high number of markets, the Puma joins a team of seven other electrified cars Ford has planned for this year on the continent.
“New Puma represents the next chapter in Ford’s human centric design philosophy that is elevating the quality, technology-rich and fun-to-drive DNA of the Ford brand in Europe,” said in a statement Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe.
“I have no doubt that Puma will be a huge success across Europe.”
The Puma uses a 1.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine and a 1.5 kW belt-driven starter/generator to work. The engine is fitted with the industry’s first cylinder deactivation system for a three-cylinder unit, introduced four years ago by Ford.
Thanks to this, the engine, which comes in two power outputs, namely 125 ps and 155 ps, has a fuel consumption figure measured at up to 5.6 l/100 km (42 mpg).
The crossover comes equipped with wireless charging, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and of course, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto connectivity. An 8-inch touchscreen controls the car's infotainment system, and all the required data about the trip and car is relayed by the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Puma joins a growing SUV lineup of Ford cars in Europe, one that also includes the Fiesta Active, Focus Active, EcoSport, Kuga, Edge, and Explorer.
Apart from the name, the new model has no connection whatsoever with the Fiesta-based three-door coupe Puma introduced back in 1997 and killed in 2002.
“New Puma represents the next chapter in Ford’s human centric design philosophy that is elevating the quality, technology-rich and fun-to-drive DNA of the Ford brand in Europe,” said in a statement Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe.
“I have no doubt that Puma will be a huge success across Europe.”
The Puma uses a 1.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine and a 1.5 kW belt-driven starter/generator to work. The engine is fitted with the industry’s first cylinder deactivation system for a three-cylinder unit, introduced four years ago by Ford.
Thanks to this, the engine, which comes in two power outputs, namely 125 ps and 155 ps, has a fuel consumption figure measured at up to 5.6 l/100 km (42 mpg).
The crossover comes equipped with wireless charging, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and of course, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto connectivity. An 8-inch touchscreen controls the car's infotainment system, and all the required data about the trip and car is relayed by the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Puma joins a growing SUV lineup of Ford cars in Europe, one that also includes the Fiesta Active, Focus Active, EcoSport, Kuga, Edge, and Explorer.
Apart from the name, the new model has no connection whatsoever with the Fiesta-based three-door coupe Puma introduced back in 1997 and killed in 2002.
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