Nicely, to be clear, we will probably be getting the revised Ford Puma crossover, simply not fairly the one which was launched in a single day in Europe.
The Puma seen here’s a facelifted and revised model of the crossover that made its debut in 2019, and is powered by a number of turbocharged petrol engines. Such a Puma is being discontinued in Australia by the center of the 12 months.
There’ll nonetheless be an all-electric model of the upgraded Puma, to be often known as the Puma Gen-E. This has but to be unveiled, however will probably be offered in Europe, and has been confirmedfor Australia. We don’t know, at this stage, how a lot visible differentiation there will probably be between the petrol Puma and its Gen-E sibling.
Externally it’s straightforward to select the up to date Puma due to its redesigned grille with the Ford badge within the center, the design of which is paying homage to the just lately axed Fiesta and the Focus, which has been discontinued in Australia, however troopers on in Europe till 2025.
There are additionally new graphics for the headlights, together with a brand new design for the LED daytime working lights and “glare-free” excessive beams. New dynamic matrix headlights can be found on high-spec variants.
It’s on the within the place probably the most substantive modifications have been made. Your complete dashboard has been redesigned to accommodate a bigger digital instrumentation show and infotainment touchscreen.
The instrumentation display screen now measures 12.8 inches diagonally, up 0.5-inch from earlier than. Forward of the driving force is a brand new two-spoke steering wheel, which fortunately retains bodily buttons, whereas the instrumentation show is now not lined by a cowl.
Within the centre of the sprint is a 12.0-inch touchscreen that’s not 4 inches bigger than earlier than, however runs Ford’s newest Sync 4 working system, and has a processor that’s twice as quick.
It now helps wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, comes with baked-in Alexa voice recognition, and 5G cell web connectivity.
A ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is accessible, however bodily controls for the local weather management system are now not current. These have been changed by a toolbar that’s completely displayed on the touchscreen.
The central air vents have been moved to a spot above the touchscreen, whereas beneath there’s a bodily quantity management knob and radio off change, in addition to buttons to allow/disable computerized engine begin/cease, view the automotive’s parking cameras, and activate the window demisters.
USB-C and USB-A ports are within the centre tunnel, as is a brand new sliding arm relaxation for the driving force and entrance passenger. The door playing cards have been revised, with the arm rests modified to be a lot flatter than earlier than, with the window controls now nearly horizontal.
On the protection entrance, the revised Puma’s lively cruise management with cease and go performance beneficial properties lane centring. There’s additionally an improved blind spot monitoring system, rear cross visitors braking, reverse brake help, predictive pace help, and a 360-degree digital camera system.
Underneath the bonnet, the Puma’s drivetrain choices have been paired again. The one engine out there is a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol motor with a 48V gentle hybrid system.
In base fashions, this drivetrain develops at whole of 92kW and 170Nm, and might be paired with both a six-speed guide or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. A extra highly effective 116kW/190Nm model can be out there completely with the seven-speed automated gearbox.
As soon as once more there’s a ST variant aimed toward driving fans with retuned suspension and dealing with, bigger 19-inch wheels, and styling tweaks.
Sadly the 147kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-pot and its six-speed guide have been discontinued, leaving the 130kW model of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder gentle hybrid paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission as the only drivetrain possibility.
Each the simply unveiled petrol Puma and upcoming electrical Gen-E utilise the identical front-wheel drive structure that when hosted the Fiesta, and now additionally serves as the bottom of the Transit Courier.
All variations of the Puma and Transit Courier will probably be inbuilt Craiova, Romania, the place Ford has a three way partnership manufacturing unit with Turkish agency Otosan.
Particulars concerning the Puma Gen-E’s drivetrain have but to be revealed, however the e-Transit Courier has a 100kW motor driving the entrance wheels, and helps DC quick charging as much as 100kW and AC charging as much as 11kW.
MORE: Everything Ford Puma