Challenging mission: testing the new Ford Puma
The crossover comes with a mild hybrid drive, but it has to deal with a heavy legacy.
Another compact crossover that is trying to find its place in the sun has already appeared on the market. Because of him, Ford decided to return to the market the Puma name, which was worn by a small coupe, produced at the end of the last and the beginning of this century. The only thing that these two cars have in common is that they are based on the Fiesta hatchback, however, of different generations.
Such a move is clearly part of the brand's new strategy, which involves the use of old names for new models. Thus was born the Mustang E-Mach, Ford's first electric crossover, as well as the Ford Bronco, which was revived as a name but technically has nothing to do with the legendary SUV sold in the last century. Apparently, the company is counting on nostalgia for its customers, and so far this is a success.
In the case of Puma, such a move is justified, because the new crossover faces two rather difficult tasks. The first is to establish oneself in one of the most competitive market segments, and the second is to quickly force those who want to buy a car of this class. To forget its EcoSport predecessor, the first generation of which failed and the last one never managed to fix the situation.
If you add the fact that the original Ford Puma was not very successful, the task of the new model is much more difficult. However, we must admit that the company has done a lot. The design of the crossover is somewhat similar to that of the Fiesta, but at the same time it has its own style. The large grille and intricate shape of the front bumper emphasize the desire of the creators of the crossover to make it stand out. Sporty rims, which can be 17, 18 or 19 inches, also help to deal with this feeling.
The interior almost completely repeats that of the Fiesta, and the equipment of the model includes the Sync3 multimedia system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Ford Pass Connect system with a Wi-Fi router for 19 devices. And also the proprietary complex of active safety systems Ford CoPilot 360. However, there are some differences that should please potential customers.
Under the trunk, for example, there is an additional space of 80 liters. If the floor is removed, the height reaches 1,15 meters, which makes the place even more convenient for placing various bulky goods. This functionality is one of the main weapons of Puma, the manufacturer emphasizes. And they add that the trunk volume of 456 liters is the best in this class.
All of the above is only for the benefit of the model, but it enters the market at a time when new environmental standards for the EU come into force. That's why Ford is betting on a "mild" hybrid system that reduces harmful emissions. It is based on the well-known 1,0-liter 3-cylinder gasoline turbo engine powered by a starter-generator. whose task is to accumulate energy during braking and provide an additional 50 Nm at start-up.
There are two versions of the EcoBoost Hybrid Tecnology system - with a capacity of 125 or 155 hp. Our test car had a more powerful unit and ST Line equipment level, making the car look and feel sportier. The transmission is a 6-speed manual (a 7-speed automatic is also available), since the transmission (typical for most models in this class) is only to the front wheels.
The first thing that impresses is the dynamics of the car, due to the additional starter-generator. Thanks to this, it was possible to avoid a turbo hole, as well as quite acceptable fuel consumption - about 6 l / 100 km in mixed mode with one passage of Sofia from one end to the other. As you travel, you feel stiffer suspension, which is achieved through a torsion bar rear beam, reinforced shock absorbers and optimized upper supports. With its relatively high ground clearance (167 cm), the Puma can handle unpaved roads, but remember that most of the models in this class are in the parquet category, and Ford is no exception. ...
As a plus, the new Ford Puma can be added to its rich equipment, especially when it comes to support systems and driver safety. The standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping. The latter allows the driver to even take his hands off the steering wheel (albeit for a short time), and the car to keep the lane while he finds the road with not yet removed markings.
All this, of course, has its price - the basic version costs from 43 levs, but with a high level of equipment it reaches 000 levs. This is a considerable amount, but there are almost no cheap offers left on the market, and this is due to new environmental standards that come into force in the EU from January 56.
