Ford Kuga 2013 News

The interior has a spacious feel, with or without the large panoramic glass roof fitted as standard on the Ford Kuga Titanium model.

The Haldex ‘intelligent’ AWD system and the proven tuned chassis technology with MacPherson struts on the front and Ford’s acclaimed Control Blade rear suspension deliver exceptional driving dynamics to the new Ford Kuga.The go-anywhere character and substantial off-road ability of the Ford Kuga comes to the fore in the Trend and Titanium.‘Intelligent’ AWD contributes positively to normal road use and helps give the vehicle a sporty and dynamic feel for outstanding on- and off-road driving performance especially in difficult weather and surface conditions.At the same time, special actions have been taken to offer remarkable off-road skills and flatter the novice off-road driver.“The Ford Kuga has been developed to provide off-road skills without ‘SUV sins’,” Herrmann said.Optimised torque, fuel consumption and tractionThe AWD system used on the Ford Kuga Trend and Titanium is a so-called ‘intelligent’ system. It permanently monitors the driving situation and the driver’s demands to always react with optimised torque distribution. With driving torque permanently distributed to all four wheels driver intervention – by way of operating separate controls – is not necessary to operate it. Ford’s engineers have provided the car with optimal road holding, irrespective of surface conditions.Optimised fuel economyAlthough the driving torque is permanently ready to be distributed to all four wheels the ‘intelligent’ part of the system ensures that just the right amount of torque is transferred only at the point in time it is needed.This ensures that optimal torque distribution during acceleration and deceleration is applied. A separate ‘slip control’ is applied for those occasions where the base torque is insufficient. The base torque transfer has been lowered to support the fuel economy of the vehicle.This is possible because yaw rate and lateral acceleration are used at higher cornering rates to increase torque transfer, and thus optimise the Ford Kuga’s balance to help maintain an excellent level of handling during enthusiastic driving.These combined actions contribute to favourable fuel efficiency as they provide much the same control as when a driver manually switches between drive modes on a switchable system.Best possible traction controlThe active ‘on-demand’ coupling of the AWD unit provides optimal torque distribution during acceleration and deceleration, which is calculated from the engine and various electronic system signals including ABS, DSC and TCS. The on-demand coupling is integrated with the traction control system to provide torque to an individual wheel if it needs more torque than the remainder. In addition, a specific locking torque is applied to the coupling at standstill to prevent wheel slip during launch situations.‘Intelligent’ AWD in all situationsAs with many of the features and equipment fitted to Ford Kuga, the AWD system has been designed and integrated for simple and seamless operation. There are no additional buttons or levers that the driver needs to operate.The ‘intelligent’ AWD system distributes the engine torque up to a ratio of 50/50 front/rear and uses technology that monitors information from a number of key areas to determine when and how much AWD power should be used.These parameters take into account the torque and speed of the engine, throttle position, steering wheel angle, yaw rate, braking system and the speeds of all four wheels among other signals. The Ford Kuga has a maximum approach angle of 21 degrees and a maximum departure angle of 24 degrees ensure that hills and descents can be tackled with ease and confidence.‘Intelligent’ AWD pre-chargeTransmitting up to 10 per cent of torque to the rear wheels from a standing start means maximum grip is available instantly; some competitor systems require the vehicle to move before power can be distributed to the rear.‘Intelligent’ AWD when corneringFord Kuga systems recognise lateral acceleration (enthusiastic cornering) and transfer exactly the right amount of torque to the rear wheels. This improves balance and grip and results in safe and assured handling.‘Intelligent’ AWD when acceleratingThe intelligent AWD coupling will lock and prepare to transfer torque to the rear axle when the accelerator is pushed aggressively. The system recognises that torque levels are about to increase, giving the driver virtually seamless intelligent AWD grip instantaneously.‘Intelligent’ AWD when wheels slipIn addition to the intelligent AWD electronic sensors, a mechanical pump responds to any loss of forward grip on the front wheels by instantly transferring torque to the rear axle.‘Intelligent’ AWD when parking and manoeuvringOn tight corners at low speeds torque is reduced to the rear wheels to optimise efficient and comfortable manoeuvring.‘Intelligent’ AWD and Traction Control SystemThe Traction Control System (TCS) automatically modifies its operation to suit different conditions. For example, in sand some wheel slip is needed for best traction, but on road surfaces less wheel slip is best. The TCS will always account for the type of surface that is being driven on.‘Intelligent’ AWD and Engine Drag torque Control (EDC)Helps prevent wheels slipping and skidding as a result of engine braking in very icy or slippery conditions. The system senses wheel slip at high engine speed in low gears and uses the engine management system to increase torque output to compensate./ford/kuga

“It was important that we made the Ford Kuga instantly recognisable as a Ford model, but we also wanted to retain a design relationship with the original concept,”

The Ford Kuga compact SUV will go on sale in March in two trim levels to give the Blue Oval brand a competitor in a segment Ford Australia president Bob Graziano says is increasingly important to all car brands. "Kuga marks a name change from Escape but has newer technologies, improved safety and performance and Ford's corporate kinetic design DNA," Ford Australia president. "Our strategy with the Kuga is clear - build awareness of the nameplate ahead of the launch of the all-new model approximately 12 months later." The SUV will be powered by a 2.5-litre turbo Duratec V6 engine with 147kW and 320Nm and compete with likes of Toyota's RAV4, the Nissan Dualis and Holden's Captiva range. The Focus range will also be expanded with the launch of the Focus ST, powered by a 2.0-litre engine. "It stakes its claim as Ford's first truly global performance car," Graziano says. The ST will replace the existing XR5 Turbo and will top the Focus range until the next RS model arrives Down Under.

They are the Kuga all-wheel drive and S-Max people mover. Both are compact models built off the mechanical package of the Focus and could be easily added to the Ford Australia family, provided there is a case for solid local sales. However, of the pair, the Kuga is more likely as it could swing in as a replacement for the ageing Escape. Ford's group vice president, Derrick Kuzak, is enthusiastic for the pair but carsGuide understands Ford Australia cannot go it alone. It will need the endorsement of a least one other Asia-Pacific market to get the nod. Kuzak says Ford is looking at its options for both vehicles but they would need a sound business case for Australia. Also, whether Kuga was a replacement for, or separate model, to the Escape was another issue. “Escape has a very loyal following with millions of customers globally so we need to pay particular attention to those customers,” he says. “We just need to ensure that customers are there today, when they're coming; as well as what we need to do to make a business case.” Kuzak says that the advantage of having potential for either Kuga or C-Max locally could be built off the same supply base that will feed into the locally built Focus. “You've got the platform, the supply base not only for the platform but interior and the rest of the vehicle,” he says. “So you've got the scale already started for the platform as well as a manufacturing facility you'd like to put more capacity in. “When you've made the business case for the first vehicle it's a lot easier for the rest of them to follow.” The Kuga is 27mm shorter than the Escape, 50mm lower but 17mm wider and has a 70mm longer wheelbase. At present it is available in Europe with the same 100kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel as the Focus. However, next year the range will be expanded with a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo, an engine shared with Volvo. A key driver for the car is that like the Territory, it is available in either front or all-wheel drive. The Kuga has a high level of standard equipment in Europe, including electronic stability control with combined anti rollover mitigation, anti-skid brakes and an intelligent all-wheel drive system that distributes torque up to 50/50 front and rear. The all-wheel drive system is from Haldex, which also supplies Volvo. Ford says the Kuga delivers best-in-class CO2 figure of 169g/km. It has a roomy interior and luggage area that can fit from 410 litres to 1355 litres when the rear seats are folded flat. By comparison Ford describes the five-seater C-Max as a “multi-activity vehicle” but in essence it is a sporty wagon. In Europe it is available with three four-cylinder petrol engines, a turbo-diesel, LPG, CNG, and bio-ethanol.