Ford Kuga 2012 News

Ford has recalled 8878 examples of its Kuga mid-size SUV over a potential fire risk.

Speaking this week at a media event this week, Ford Australia boss Graeme Whickman confirmed the facelifted Kuga arrival.“The vehicle will be arriving on our shores in early 2017, with some rather significant upgrades,” he said.As to what those upgrades will be, Whickman said he’d reveal more closer to the launch, but buyers can expect new technology such as the latest version of Ford’s Sync3 multimedia system and advanced safety equipment like a lane-keeping system and self-parking function.The most obvious change is to the exterior styling with the facelifted car adopting the new Ford family chrome-look grille with restyled bumper and headlights, plus a new treatment to the vehicle’s tailgate and taillights.While year-to-date sales of the Kuga in Australia are slightly up, mid-size SUV segment leaders the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 are achieving at least five times the sales as the Ford. Whickman believes it may be Ford’s fault for not marketing the Kuga better.“I think our biggest challenge is frankly getting awareness of the product. It’s probably a vehicle we haven’t put enough energy behind,” he said.“Given that we’re sitting on 12 or 13 nameplates it’s sometimes hard to make some decisions around investment …”Ford used the SUV strategy event to make several announcements – the biggest being the arrival of an SUV based on the Edge in 2018 which will partially fill the gap left by the soon-to-be-discontinued Australian-built Territory.Also announced was a two-wheel drive five-seat version of the Everest large SUV coming in early 2017 and a Shadow special edition of the EcoSport small SUV which is now in showrooms.

Ford says their capped price service offer, MyFord, has been successful in bringing thousands of owners back to the brand -- 13,000 in 2013 alone. So they're taking the offer further, raising it to seven years and 135,000km from the six years/105,000km that rolled out in 2011.The revised program -- available on vehicles built from 2007 -- has been extended to cover brake pad replacements and rotor machining across the range except the sporty FPV, ST and XR5 variants and the light commercial Transit van. All eligible models will have front pads capped at $259 and rear ones at $219, except the rear-wheel drive Falcon and Territory rear pads, which will be capped at $259. Machining is capped at $88.Ford has also announced a year's free membership and roadside assistance with state motoring organisations -- NRMA, RACV, RACT, RACQ, AANT, RAA and RAC -- at participating dealers with the sale of any new car, except FPV and Transit.“The addition of the Auto Club Program is another customer-focused offering that Ford owners will enjoy,” Ford Australia general manager, customer service division, Stephen Kruk, says. “Customers expect this level of certainty from their dealers and we’re happy to say that since it was introduced in July 2011, the program has been very well received by our customers.”Owners can check the maximum price for a service, and all terms and conditions at www.ford.com.au/myfordcps.  MyFord Capped Price Servicing is available on the following vehicles.Ford Fiesta – WQ, WS, WTFord Focus – LS, LT, LV, LVIIFord Mondeo – MA, MB, MCFord Falcon – BF, BF FPV, BF MkII, BF MkII FPV, BF MkIII, FG, FG FPV, FG MkII, FG MkII FPVFord Escape – ZD, ZCFord Econovan - JHFord EcoSport - BKFord Kuga - TE, TFFord Territory – SY, SY F6X, SY MkII, SZFord Ranger – PJ, PK, PXFord Transit – VM, VNThis reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The driver has 10 seconds to cancel the call if police and ambulance are not required, but if the line is silent the car will give 000 operators its GPS co-ordinates to send help. The system is so sophisticated Ford is training emergency services across Australia on what it sounds like and how it operates. The technology is standard on all new Ford Kuga SUVs, which start from $28,000. The only requirement is that a Smartphone is connected to the car via Bluetooth - and that the crash happens in mobile phone range. Nevertheless, Ford hopes the technology may save lives. “Time is of the essence in critical situations and every piece of technology that can help save lives or reduce injuries is a positive," said Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead Phipps. Holden had a similar customer assistance system from 2001 to 2010, but it was subscriber based and required drivers of crashed vehicles to press a button to enlist help. The Ford system is automatically triggered when airbags deploy. The Kuga is among a growing number of cars making it increasingly difficult to have a crash. As with a number of cars from Volvo, Volkswagen and Subaru, the new Ford Kuga will brake automatically to avoid rear-ending another car in low-speed traffic. The top-of-the-range model will also steer straight if you wander from your lane, warn you of cars about to overtake you, and automatically dip the highbeams as other vehicles drive towards you at night. For mums and dads on the run, the new Ford also has a tailgate that can be opened with a deft swing of your foot (similar to kicking a soccer ball), providing the key is in your pocket or within 1 metre of the car. It’s handy for those with their hands full, or with little ones to watch. But for all the gadgets, the car that Ford describes as the “Smart SUV” does not come standard with a rear-view camera - even though most leading and cheaper SUV competitors have it standard across the range. A rear camera is only available on the top-line Ford Kuga which starts at $44,000, whereas the Mazda CX5, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V and Nissan Dualis have a rear camera on all models, which start below or near $30,000. Up to two-dozen infants die in driveway incidents each year and hundreds more are seriously injured. Up to 80 per cent of cases involve an SUV or ute - even though they only account for about one-third of vehicles on the road. When asked why Ford had not made a rear camera available even as an option on the most affordable versions of its latest family car (as its rivals had done), the sales and marketing representative for Ford Australia, Brad Brownwell, said: “Part of the philosophy was … to get people to go up to the .” The Ford representative downplayed the safety benefit of rear-view cameras. “You don’t want people to not look in their mirrors and just stare at the little and throw the car in reverse. You’ve got to be aware of your surroundings. Some areas wouldn’t say that is a safety feature. In the US you can’t classify (a rear view camera) as a safety feature. It’s a benefit, it’s a surprise and delight.” This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

The new compact soft-roader from Ford - due on sale in May - will boast plenty of safety gear and technology features within the model range that kicks off at $27,990 for the Ambiente six-speed manual. That's $110 over the Mazda CX-5 entry-level model, $1000 below the last of the Escape models and a considerable $11,000 cheaper than the superseded Kuga model that was introduced here for a cameo appearance in February last year. Opting for all-wheel drive (AWD) in the turbocharged petrol base model, which also adds a six-speed automatic, pushes the price up to start from $31,490. The mid-spec Trend with the same drivetrain starts from $36,240 or $39,240 for the six-speed double-clutch auto-only turbodiesel; the Titanium 1.6-litre EcoBoost model starts from $44,740 (only with a six-speed auto) or $47,740 for the two-litre turbodiesel with the twin-clutch Powershift transmission. Ford marketing general manager David Katic says the new Kuga - based on the Focus platform and adopting much of the hatchback's interior design - represents a value-for-money choice. “We're signalling to the medium SUV market that the all-new Ford Kuga is a serious contender with the front-wheel-drive Ambiente model from $27,990. “Customers today are chasing value-for-money and the Ford Kuga delivers,” he says. Ford is boasting a number of firsts for the segment, including the voice-activated Ford Sync infotainment system with Emergency Assistance - it links to a mobile phone and automatically summons help to your location (phone coverage pending) if it detects an airbag deployment or emergency fuel shut-off. The Kuga will also have a hands-free tailgate, operated by “kicking” beneath the rear bumper to open and close the tailgate, and top-spec models will have digital radio on the list, the first Ford model on Australian pricelists to do so. Ford has also developed an in-house on-demand AWD system - the superseded car had a Haldex system - that operates largely in front-wheel drive until the rear end is required, as well as using a torque vectoring system to brake the inside wheels in corners for better handling. The range will have three model variants - Ambiente, Trend and Titanium - with the choice of a 1.6-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine as standard or the optional turbodiesel engine, the latter available only on Trend and Titanium. The petrol powerplant is offered in two guises - a 110kW/240Nm version (which also gets stop-start when teamed with a manual) and a 134kW/240Nm, both using active front grille shutters for improved fuel economy, which ranges from 6.7 litres per 100km to 8 litres per 100km depending on the model. The two-litre turbodiesel - not seen here in the outgoing car - is a carryover engine with some development work, producing 120kW and 340Nm, but only made available to Australia in AWD guise. Fuel economy claims range around 6.3 litres per 100km for the turbodiesel. The Kuga, measuring 81mm longer, 4mm narrower and 8mm lower, sits on the same wheelbase as the outgoing SUV, with Ford claiming much of the extra space engineered into the new car appearing in the rear passenger area. The boffins are also claiming reductions in wind and road noise for the new SUV, as well improved panel fit and interior quality. Five stars already adorn the crash safety CV for the Kuga, with Ford contributing much of that to a body structure comprising more than 30 per cent high and ultra-high strength steels, as well as seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), stability control, anti-lock brakes and trailer sway control. The safety list on Trend and Titanium models can be bolstered further with the optional $2650 technology pack that adds the Active City Stop automatic braking function adaptive cruise control, blind spot and lane departure warning systems and automatic high beam.  

That's twice the number Ford predicted would try out its "Smart Drive" program and has prompted the carmaker to already book the sole outdoor venue for next year's Melbourne Motor Show.Sydney showgoers could take a 10-minute drive of the Focus Titanium, Kuga and Ranger Wildtrak around a specially constructed course that highlighted key technologies and capabilities of the vehicles."The outdoor 'Smart Drive' has been a smash hit with showgoers. Even foot traffic walking past the Darling Harbour Convention Centre are stopping in to drive the cars on display," Ford Australia CEO Bob Graziano says."We had anticipated completing 3000 test drives across the entire motor show but we hit that number after the first weekend." The active park assist was the most popular feature in the Focus, closely followed by the automated emergency braking system dubbed Active City Stop. The Ford Kuga compact crossover's touch-free tailgate opening system also copped a pounding. Ford spokesman Neil McDonald says the same car was used throughout the show and cycled through more than 3000 displays of opening and closing its tailgate in response to a foot-wave under the rear bumper. The Ranger Wildtrak's hill ascent/decent software was also showcased, using a short but steep hill.The outdoor track was marked out by shipping containers and up to seven vehicles at a time could be put through the course. "We're rapt. It definitely exceeded our projections and we're already thinking about the next one," McDonald says. That has included booking the outdoor venue at the Melbourne event for 2013, effectively locking its rivals out of what has instantly become one of the highlights of the show. 

The changing story of Ford is being told at AIMS. Once synonymous with a big, plain Australian family car, the local branch of the Blue Oval brand is embracing Ford’s sophisticated international product and technology. Called the “One Ford” strategy, it looks pretty good. Heading that act is the best engine of 2012 – the EcoBoost 1.0- litre – which will first be seen here in the Ford Fiesta, followed by the EcoSport sub-compact SUV. The turbocharged threecylinder engine will be sold in two specifications – 74kW/170Nm and a high-output 91kW/170Nm. Fuel consumption should range from a diesel-like 4.8-5.0 litres/100km. Ford spokesman Neil McDonald says the “replacement for displacement’’ engine won’t disappoint in terms of performance or economy. In that respect, it’s much like the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine already powering the Mondeo and Falcon. If sheet metal is more to your liking than what’s under the hood, there’s the first look at the EcoSport, new Ford Kuga, Focus ST hot hatch and the Ford Fusion. The Fusion is the US-designed version of the next Ford Mondeo, which gets here late next year. The new car rides on the existing chassis to its rear suspension to one like that used by BMW and Audi. The result is expected to be an improved ride over the already good balance between comfort and performance in the existing Mondeo. The sloping “fastback’’ roofline was penned by British designer Chris Hamilton and Ford is using a scalloped roof lining to ensure the striking styling doesn’t restrict rear headroom. A bigger boot and updated styling mark the arrival of the second-generation Ford Kuga (above). A foot-activated automatic tailgate is among the neat touches this compact SUV brings to the market segment that’s attracting record numbers of buyers. Active park assist and a blind spot warning system are also expected to be part of the package, based on the European and US models. The Kuga is expected to go on sale with 2.0-litre turbo diesel and petrol powerplants. If the Kuga’s not compact enough, try the EcoSport, which is based on the Fiesta small car and is expected to be priced under $25,000.  

The result was part of a study commissioned by Ford to underscore the safety issue -- as the company prepares to introduce its SYNC in-car connectivity system, which can read aloud incoming messages through a text-to-speech feature and enables drivers to send a text reply by voice from a predetermined list of responses.Despite the prevalence of the practice, drivers agreed overwhelmingly that reading texts on the move was dangerous. Ninety-five per cent of drivers thought that texting affected driver ability and safety.At least half of those surveyed said they believed driver response was 50 per cent slower when checking messages from a mobile phone."Smartphones have quickly become an essential part of many people's day," said Christof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering, Ford of Europe."However, text messages can be a distraction for drivers, so the benefit of a system that can read messages aloud from compatible smartphones is obvious."Ford SYNC will debut  on the new B-MAX and will roll out to other vehicles in Ford's lineup, including Focus and Kuga. The text-to-speech feature on SYNC, powered by Microsoft, retrieves messages using a simple voice command from Bluetooth-connected compatible smartphones.SYNC also enables drivers to send a text reply from a predetermined list of responses, such as "See you in 10 minutes"  helping motorists to remain focused on driving while staying in touch with contacts. 

Ford’s engineers tailored, tuned and calibrated each component and aspect of the ride and handling to ensure the Ford Kuga carries the Blue Oval family pedigree for strong driving dynamics.

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