Tag: Kuga

Ford has further expanded its unprecedented line-up of electrified all-new Kuga SUVs with the new Ford Kuga Hybrid – able to deliver over 600 miles 1 of petrol-electric and pure-electric driving between fill-ups and without ever having to plug in to recharge.

Effortless to own, the self-charging Kuga Hybrid’s 1.1 kWh battery is automatically replenished both by the 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine and using regenerative charging when coasting or braking. Stored energy powers an electric motor to enhance performance, support petrol engine fuel efficiency, or deliver pure-electric driving. Kuga Hybrid automatically switches seamlessly between power configurations according to the driving scenario.

The new model’s sophisticated full hybrid powertrain is unique in the Ford Kuga line-up – delivering the ultimate efficiency and refinement of pure-electric power with no need to charge from an external power source, alongside the diesel-rivalling convenience of over 600 miles total driving range.

“Each of our electrified Kuga models brings a unique set of benefits. For our new Kuga Hybrid that includes fuel efficiency and driving range to rival diesel, and the effortless refinement of charging cable-free, pure-electric driving,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. “Ford is committed to offering a choice of electrified vehicles so that every customer can find the perfect solution to fit seamlessly into their life. No model demonstrates that better than Kuga”.

One of 17 Ford electrified vehicles to be introduced for customers in Europe before the end next year, production of the new Kuga Hybrid is now underway at the company’s manufacturing plant in Valencia, Spain. Kuga Hybrid’s advanced lithium-ion battery packs are also assembled at the Valencia plant following a €24 million investment in a new state-of-the-art battery assembly facility to support Ford’s electrification strategy in Europe.

Kuga Hybrid completes the most electrified line-up for a single nameplate ever offered by Ford, and joins Kuga Plug-In Hybrid and EcoBlue Hybrid 48-volt mild hybrid variants, alongside traditional petrol and diesel engines for a comprehensive range of powertrain options.

Kuga practicality, Hybrid flexibility
The new Ford Kuga was developed from the ground up to incorporate a petrol-electric full hybrid powertrain, using efficient packaging to maximise SUV spaciousness and practicality, and support driving refinement.

Silent key start capability enables the Kuga Hybrid to pull away from a standstill using electric power alone for a truly relaxing driving experience, particularly in city and stop-start driving scenarios. The full-hybrid powertrain supports pure-electric driving for short periods while eliminating range anxiety.

The ability to travel over 600 miles on a single tank of fuel makes Kuga Hybrid a compelling alternative to diesel powertrains. Delivering fuel efficiency from 48.7mpg and CO2 emissions from 130 g/km WLTP3 alongside a 54-litre fuel tank, Kuga Hybrid total driving range is also more than 30 per cent greater than that of the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, which offers a greater pure-electric driving range of up to 35 miles.3

With no need for customers to use an external power source to charge the battery, Kuga Hybrid offers an attractive choice for customers desiring an electrified powertrain, but who have limited access to external charging solutions at home or places of work.

The 60-cell, 1.1 kWh battery pack uses a liquid cooling system that eliminates the need for a cooling fan, helping reduce noise levels for greater cabin refinement. Optimised cooling also allows battery cells to be packaged closely together – helping retain spacious interior dimensions including more than 1 metre of headroom for front row occupants and up to 1,481 litres of cargo space behind the front seats. 4

In addition, an exhaust gas heat exchanger system helps bring the engine more quickly to its most efficient operating temperature, enabling Kuga Hybrid to engage pure-electric driving sooner following a cold start and helping quickly warm the cabin for passenger comfort. Enhanced battery performance also contributes to towing capacity of up to 1,600 kg. 5

The Kuga Hybrid powertrain delivers a smooth, linear response to acceleration demand while automatically switching between pure-electric, hybrid and petrol power, supported by a redesigned motor-generator controller. The latest generation of Ford’s power-split transmission is designed specifically to work with the 2.5-litre petrol engine – seamlessly adjusting ratios for optimum performance and fuel efficiency across a range of driving conditions. 0-62 mph acceleration takes 9.1 seconds.

The simulated gear-shift function – activated in Normal or Sport drive modes – automatically adjusts engine rpm as the vehicle’s speed changes to reduce the “rubber band” effect often associated with continuously-variable transmissions.

“We’ve listened hard to customers to make sure the Kuga Hybrid really delivers when it comes to driving appeal,” said Glen Goold, Kuga chief programme engineer. “The simulated gear-shift function makes the SUV more engaging to drive with the familiarity of traditional ‘cog swaps’, plus the added benefit of limiting engine noise.”

More relaxing journeys
Kuga Hybrid is available to order in ST Line Edition, ST Line X Edition and Vignale variants, offering a wide range of driver assistance, comfort and convenience technologies.

A standard FordPass Connect modem 6 allows drivers to plan faster, less stressful journeys with Live Traffic updates for the navigation system and enables a range of features for a more convenient ownership experience via the FordPass mobile app, including Door Lock Unlock, Remote Start 7 and Vehicle Locator.

A wireless charging pad is also standard, and further sophisticated optional features include Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system 8 supported by an 8‑inch central touchscreen, and a premium B&O sound system.

Available driver assistance technologies designed to deliver greater confidence, make driving less demanding and enhance safety include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Centring 2 for effortlessly negotiating stop-start and highway traffic. Active Park Assist 2 2 enables fully automated parking manoeuvres at the push of a button.

New Lane-Keeping System with Blind Spot Assist 2 makes its global debut on Kuga. The optional technology monitors the driver’s blind spot for vehicles approaching from behind and can apply counter-steering to warn the driver and discourage a lane change manoeuvre if a potential collision is detected.

Also making its global debut on the new Ford Kuga, optional Intersection Assist 2 technology monitors for potential collisions with oncoming vehicles in parallel lanes and can automatically apply the brakes to help prevent or mitigate the effects of accidents in scenarios where a driver is turning across traffic.

Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assistance technologies designed to deliver an intuitive and stress-reducing driving experience have earned the new Ford Kuga SUV a leading position in Euro NCAP’s first Assisted Driving grading.

Kuga finished ahead of vehicles including the Tesla Model 3, Volvo V60, and Volkswagen Passat in the overall ranking, following independent testing of technologies that automatically help the SUV maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead, stay centered in its lane, and adjust the speed to within legal limits.

Euro NCAP’s new Assisted Driving program evaluates features that share control of the vehicle with a driver who retains full responsibility; helping to detect and respond to objects and events for effortless, confidence-inspiring journeys.

Kuga scored more than twice as many points as the Tesla Model 3 in the Driver Engagement category and significantly outscored both the Volvo V60 and Volkswagen Passat for Safety Backup during two weeks of tests, which also assessed the effectiveness of Vehicle Assistance from the technologies.

“For all the freedom and independence it gives us, driving on today’s busy roads can be a demanding and stressful experience. That’s why we designed technologies to take some of the strain from drivers and help them focus more clearly on the road,” said Stuart Southgate, director, Safety Engineering, Ford of Europe. “We worked hard to make Kuga’s assisted driving experience as intuitive, natural, and engaging as possible so that drivers would enjoy taking full advantage of the technologies available.”

Kuga’s available Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition, and Lane Centring uses a combination of radar and camera to monitor the road and traffic ahead, and can automatically keep pace with traffic and road flow as well as speed restrictions in many driving scenarios.

Stop & Go – available with Kuga’s eight-speed automatic transmission – enables the ACC system to bring the vehicle to a complete halt in stop-start traffic using up to 50 percent of total braking force, and automatically pull away if the stopping duration is less than 3 seconds. For stopping durations greater than 3 seconds, the driver can push a steering wheel button or gently apply the accelerator to pull away.

Speed Sign Recognition can adjust the vehicle speed to within legal limits by monitoring the roadside and overhead gantries for speed signs, in addition to using information from the on-board navigation system.

Lane Centring technology monitors road markings and can apply gentle but discernible torque to the steering system to help drivers stay centered in their lane whenever the ACC system is activated. Designed to support drivers at speeds up to 125 mph, the technology will deliver visual and audible warnings if it detects a lack of steering wheel input from the driver.

“The Ford Kuga demonstrates across a wide variety of cars tested that a Good grading is achievable on a high-volume family SUV,” said Richard Schram, technical director, Euro NCAP. “Ford impressed in our first ever Assisted Driving technology grading, showing high performance in all areas and a good balance between Driver Engagement and Vehicle Assistance with a robust Safety Backup.”

Kuga also features advanced technologies designed to help prevent or mitigate the effects of accidents, including Blind Spot Assist and Intersection Assist – both making their global debuts – and Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking.