Ford Kuga 2013 News

A safety notice regarding a potential oil leak has been issued by Ford in Australia and concerns 4450 of its Kuga SUVs.

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.

None of us wants to crash our shiny new car but, if we do, we want to know we're safe. That's where the Australian New Car Assessment Program's standardised crash-testing analysis is invaluable, providing comparable ratings for vehicles of all types.The ANCAP site notes that a one-star car is twice as likely to kill you as a five-star model. Carsguide examines ANCAP's results to find the best of breed in each segment. It's worth noting the advanced software in some cars that readies the vehicle if a crash is imminent are disabled during the official tests. Cars are scored out of 37 points after the following tests.FRONTAL OFFSET TEST: The subject vehicle is accelerated to 64km/h and rammed into a deformable alloy barrier to simulate a head-on crash. To increase the severity and reproduce real-world conditions only 40 per cent of the car hits the wall - equating to a driver swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle.SIDE IMPACT TEST: The T-bone hit rams a 950kg trolley into the side of the car at 50km/h. The sled has an alloy face to simulate the front of another vehicle, which deforms and absorbs some of the impact.PEDESTRIAN TEST: Simulates the results of hitting a pedestrian at 40km/h. The test assesses adult and child impacts, given their heads and limbs strike different areas of the car.POLE TEST: This is the most demanding test in the ANCAP repertoire. Trees and poles don't deform, so all the crash energy is transferred to the vehicle. The car is put on a sled and propelled towards a fixed steel pole at 29km/h.SAFEST SMALL CARSAUDI A3 36.41 See reviews of this carOfficially the best small car to occupy in an accident. Impressively, the windscreen pillar didn't move after a 64km/h hit with the concrete block.  HONDA INSIGHT 36.39 See reviews of this carIts score reflects a 3mm movement of the pillar in the frontal offset test and "slight risk" of serious leg injury for driver and passenger.   BMW 1 SERIES HATCH 36.33 See reviews of this carThere's a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver in the frontal and side crash test and a slight risk of serious leg injury for the passenger in the frontal crash.   SAFEST MEDIUM CARSMERCEDES B-CLASS 36.78 See reviews of this carTops the charts with the highest score of any car in ANCAP database. Technically there's a 4mm movement of the front pillar and a slight risk of injury to the passenger leg closest the door.  BMW 3 SERIES 36.76 See reviews of this carBarely behind. It showed a 1mm movement of the pillar and there was a slight risk of serious injury to the driver's and passenger's legs.VOLVO V40 36.67 See reviews of this carThe only loss of points occurred during the frontal crash test, with a slight risk of serious injury to the front occupants' legs closest the door and the driver's chest.SAFEST LARGE CARSTOYOTA AURION 36.59 See reviews of this carFirst place in this class makes it the only locally built vehicle in any top-three line-up. There's a slight risk of lower leg injury for driver and passenger.   BMW 5 Series 36.53 See reviews of this carNot a bad place to be in the event of an accident either. It blitzed the side impact tests and only lost fractions of points in the head-on hit.    VOLVO S60 36.34 See reviews of this carSweden maintains its safety credentials. The passenger compartment stayed intact with only a 1mm movement of the front pillar.    SAFEST COMPACT SUVS SUBARU XV 35.53 See reviews of this carLike the slightly lower-riding Impreza, the XV scored highly in all crashes, with a slight risk of injury to the front occupants' chests and legs.    HOLDEN TRAX 35.18 See reviews of this carThe surprise packet. One of the smaller cars in the class has only a slight risk of serious leg injury for those in the front in a head-on crash.   Skoda Yeti 34.67 See reviews of this carDepite being one of the older examples in this segment, the Yeti still rates well for safety, with only a slight risk of serious leg injury for those in the front in a head-on crash.    SAFEST MEDIUM SUVSVOLVO XC60 36.53 See reviews of this carANCAP says the cabin 'held its shape extremely well" in the frontal test, with the pillar shifting just 3mm. There was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injuries to the driver.  FORD KUGA 36.33 See reviews of this carA solid second, posing a slight risk of serious chest injury for both front seat occupants. The front pillar moved 15mm.   HONDA CR-V 35.91 See reviews of this carPlaced well despite being penalised for the foot-operated park brake moving upwards and back. Structurally there was only a 2mm movement of the pillar.  SUBARU FORESTER 35.64 See reviews of this carTested this year, it scored highly in all crashes, with a slight risk of injury to the front occupants' chests and legs.   SUBARU OUTBACK 35.52 See reviews of this carFills the brand's quinella. Crashed in 2008 and at the time topped the charts as the safest vehicle ANCAP had tested. SAFEST LARGE SUVSMERCEDES-BENZ ML 36.34 See reviews of this car Luxury SUV has a slight risk of serious chest injury for driver and passenger in the head-on hit and a slight risk of serious leg injury for the passenger. The pillar moved 2mm. RANGE ROVER 36.19 See reviews of this carBig Brit has a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver and the pillar shifted by 15mm.   NISSAN PATHFINDER 35.73 See reviews of this carSlight risk of serious leg injury for the driver. Unlike the other two, it applies to the upper leg as well as the expected lower-leg hits. Docked points for a marginal pedestrian impact result.

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.  

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 Kuga joins a highly acclaimed and successful vehicle portfolio that is recognised for its safety standards and performance. Critical to this safety performance is a high-strength bodyshell that contributes to the five-star ANCAP safety rating.Systems overviewA high quantity and standard of active and passive safety features have been incorporated into the Ford Kuga and, like all Ford models, this starts with the highly effective and stiff body structure that absorbs the impact energy in defined crush zones and provides high resistance to deformation of the passenger safety cell.A high amount of Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) delivers a rigid, yet lightweight passenger cell, providing greater side and frontal impact protection.Extra strong materials enable window pillars to be very slim and help maximise visibility. Through the implementation of more dual phase steels – located in the rocker, tunnel, A- and B-pillars – the integrity of the passenger cell has been further improved without significantly adding weight.The new Ford Kuga builds on a strong heritage and no-compromise approach to safety, refining the Ford Intelligent Protection System (IPS) further through the use of its high strength steel and impact protection advances. IPS is a cohesive system of passive safety features, which work together to maximise occupant protection. This is supported by advanced and comprehensive active safety equipment that positively assists the driver.Passive safetyFord’s proven ‘Intelligent Protection System’ for the Ford Kuga incorporates a number of standard safety features. A total of six airbags include front and side airbags for front seats plus head and shoulder curtain airbags covering the first and second row of seats. Additional standard features are anti-submarining seats with height adjustable headrests for all passengers; pyrotechnic safety belt pre-tensioners and safety belt load limiters for the front seats.A driver protection feature already established in Ford of Europe’s large and luxury car segment is the Horizontal Stroking Steering Column. In the event of a high-speed frontal impact the steering wheel strokes horizontally away from the driver, further reducing loads to the occupant’s head and chest.To provide the best possible occupant safety – including rear passengers and child seat safety – the vehicle deceleration ‘crash pulse’ of the Ford Kuga is optimised to achieve a low and distributed pulse level. An effective average deceleration level can only be achieved if a maximum of the front end length can be used for deformation and the passenger compartment intrusions are fully controlled.The crash pulse for the Ford Kuga has been optimised and the passive restraint systems adapted accordingly to ensure that airbag activation, for example, is precisely tailored to the type of impact the vehicle is involved in.Ford has also developed a front axle subframe system, which is designed to decouple from the body structure in the event of a frontal impact. Decoupling provides high levels of passenger protection and it is designed to release under a predefined load. Avoiding large deformation and accelerations within the passenger cell structure reduces loads to the driver and passengers. The decoupling feature is a technology that is proprietary to Ford Motor Company.Ford Kuga front seat occupants also benefit from an advanced neck injury protection system. The advanced headrest shape provides minimal relative movement between the occupant’s head and upper body during low-speed rear impacts. The headrest is designed to allow guidance of the occupant, as early guidance keeps the head and neck free of impulsive movement, resulting in less neck strain.Additional passive safety features support the driver and passengers in the new Ford Kuga.Seatbelt reminders are fitted as standard for the front seat passenger and the driver to remind front occupants to correctly fasten their seatbelts. Unbelted occupants will be given an audible and visual warning. Seatbelt pre-tensioners are also fitted to the front seatbelts.ISOFIX child seat fasteners are fitted on both outer rear seats of the second row for easy handling and to provide facility for a high degree of child protection.Engineered for pedestrian protectionThe Ford Kuga has been developed to meet and exceed the latest pedestrian protection requirements. Special actions ensure the highest levels of pedestrian safety and injury mitigation in the event of a collision. These actions include soft bumper material, empty space between the bumper and the front panel and radiator, breakaway headlights, front wings manufactured from recycled plastic and a carefully shaped bonnet edge structure.Under-bonnet components are located a sufficient distance away from the outer skin to avoid a direct impact with pedestrians. Parts located within the potential impact zone have carefully engineered features such as ‘breakaway’ wiper spindles and ‘collapsible’ bonnet hinges.Active driver assistanceSignificant standard safety technologies provide high levels of driver control under all conditions. The standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) has Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Anti Rollover Mitigation (ARM), and includes Electronic Brake Assist (EBA). These systems are detailed in the Driving Quality section.Ford has also introduced an array of driver assistance technologies to the new Ford Kuga, including:Automatic hazard light activation under emergency braking‘Quickclear’ heated front windscreen on TitaniumSolar reflect Infra-Red (IR) windscreenHeadlamp levelling controlPower heated side mirrors with side indicators and puddle lampsBluetooth® with voice controlAuto headlights and wipers. Standard on Titanium series, sensors automatically detect reduced light or rain on the screen and switch on the headlights or wipers accordingly.The ‘intelligent’ AWD system has been devised and engineered to incorporate high standards of its own safety features. The standard ABS with DSC is further enhanced with an Anti Rollover Mitigation (ARM) feature.Active safety systems are a key element in assisting a driver to maintain control of the vehicle, reducing the risk of a collision. For the Ford Kuga, these include:Standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)Standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)Standard Traction Control System (TCS)Standard Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)Standard Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)In addition high-visibility rear lighting is a standard feature of both the Kuga Trend and Titanium. The combination of high-mounted LED third brake light, and unique rear lamp styling and indicator bulbs using the latest illumination technology underline the safety commitment.The bulbs are designed to last the car’s lifetime too, reducing the scenario of a rear light not working.

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.

/ford/kuga

The Titanium level of spec adds in extra features for comfort and convenience.‘Power start button (keyless start)The ‘Ford Power’ start button for easy, keyless vehicle activation is a standard feature of both the Trend and Titanium.Centrally and conveniently located in the instrument panel, the ‘Ford Power’ start button gives an engine activation time of less than 500 milliseconds.Instead of a conventional ignition key, the driver is provided with an electronic key fob, which simply needs to be detected by the system when in, for example, the driver’s pocket, for fast and convenient vehicle activation.To start the engine, the driver depresses the brake pedal and then pushes the button to fire the engine. A further push of the button switches the engine and ignition off, with a safeguard to prevent it being operated while the car is in motion.The entertainment and vehicle systems such as the wipers can be activated without starting the engine by pushing the button alone. The ‘Ford Power’ button is also used to switch off the engine. Once again, the engineers were keen to build in a more complex sequence to rule out the possibility of the button being briefly pushed or brushed against inadvertently.The ‘Ford Power’ button needs to be pressed and held for two seconds or to receive three short presses in a two-second timeframe in order to stop the engine.Mini tailgate opening –‘Liftgate in Liftgate’A mini opening tailgate provides a neat opening for the main luggage compartment to place or remove relatively small items without opening the entire tailgate.The ‘liftgate in liftgate’ feature also provides a reduced height opening for those occasions where height restrictions may prevent the complete tailgate from raising to its full extent, such as being in a garage.Ford EasyFuel capless refuelling systemFord Kuga comes with Ford’s award-winning EasyFuel capless refuelling system as standard equipment. First launched on the new-generation Ford Mondeo and also available in the Fiesta and Focus, the Ford EasyFuel system is simple and easy to use, and is designed to prevent vehicle mis-fuelling and the associated damage, inconvenience and expense.Benefits of the system are twofold; first, the lack of a conventional filler cap that needs to be removed prior to fuelling the car means that drivers have fewer things to touch, reducing the likelihood of fingers becoming tainted with fuel.Secondly, the system features a special fuel inhibitor that provides major protection against misfuelling at the fuel pump. The fuel filler neck aperture has been designed around the different sizes of fuel nozzle, and Ford has engineered the system to allow only a nozzle that matches the corresponding fuel type of the car to open and enter the filler neck.The use of mechanical devices around the nozzle opening and a special flap at the top of the fuel filler neck operate together to seal the opening and provide the same assurance that the system is as secure as when a properly fitted separate cap is used on conventional filling systems.The Ford EasyFuel system has been extensively tested in all crash impact modes including the standard 80 km/h rear impact followed by a rollover to confirm the system’s safety. 12-volt power outletsFord Kuga customers can stay connected courtesy of three 12-volt power outlets in the cabin. These can provide direct power for laptops, printers, vacuum cleaners and other day-to-day appliances. Each of the outlets is conveniently located in the cabin – one in the centre console, one in the rear passenger area and one in the luggage area.Connectivity moduleA new connectivity module hidden away in the centre console includes a USB port and auxiliary jack. Any portable audio device can be connected to the Ford Kuga’s audio systems either via a conventional 3.5mm jack (not included with the vehicle) or the USB port which forms part of the connectivity module.  The AUX connector allows control of the latest generation personal audio players through the main audio system.The connectivity module enables functions beyond music entertainment as it also provides customers with voice control of audio systems and climate control. In addition, hands-free and voice control operation of mobile telephones is possible thanks to Bluetooth® technology.In-car entertainment and infotainment featuresThe new Ford Kuga offers a comprehensive array of in-car entertainment and infotainment features and systems. For added connectivity, the Sony single CD facility is enhanced with Bluetooth® voice control and connectivity for portable music and USB mass storage devices, which can be connected to the separate AUX-in socket located in the centre console.The Bluetooth® handsfree and voice control system enables voice control for a mobile phone, audio system and, in the Titanium, the Dual Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (DEATC) system. Features include direct access to the phone book memory through the audio system and voice-controlled dialling for safer handsfree calling.Panoramic roof (Titanium model)At 1050mm x 785mm the glass area of the panoramic Ford Kuga roof in the Titanium is one of the largest in the segment. To make sure the harsh summer sun is kept at bay, two manual sunblinds are also fitted for those occasions when shade is desired. In addition, the roof glass has a special infra-red (IR) coating that has proven during internal tests to reduce reflection by 35 per cent, as opposed to five per cent for non-IR glass./ford/kuga