Geneva 2008: Ford Kuga set to attack Europe
by Damon Lavrinc on Feb 14th 2008 at 8:08PM 
click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga
When Ford introduced the Iosis X Concept back in 2006, it proved that the Blue Oval's European Kinetic design language could transfer over to a CUV remarkably well. And when the Kuga Concept made its debut in Frankfurt, it was obvious that much of what made the Iosis X such an eye-catcher would come to the production model. It's done just that and Ford will be pulling the wraps off its first CUV in Europe next month in Geneva.
The Kuga CUV is based off the C-car platform that underpins the C-Max and Euro-Focus (also our Mazda3 and Volvo S40/C30), and is motivated by Ford's 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel. 136 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque can be sent to either the front wheels or all four depending on the model (Trend or Titanium, respectively) and the Kuga comes standard with ESP, Anti Rollover Mitigation, ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.
Inside, Ford boasts a handsomely outfitted cabin, with seating for five and a 60/40 split rear seat that offers a bit of practicality alongside the Kuga's style.
As much as we'd like to bemoan the fact that Ford is still offering products abroad that we think would do wonders for the marque here at home, we can only hope that Mr. Mulally's plan to globalize Ford's lineup happens soon and sends over some of the Kuga's mojo.
Gallery: 2008 Ford Kuga - Production
[Source: Ford]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
GKB 6:14PM (2/14/2008)
If only Ford had the guts to sell this in USA, instead the pathetic garbage they sell here.
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S. Adkins 12:32AM (4/06/2008)
AMEN, GKB!
S. Adkins 12:31AM (4/06/2008)
AMEN, GKB!!
This KUGA is a sharp little number indeed! For that matter, as long as I'm standing on my soap-box...
Why not bring over this Kuga from the European mkt., also from the Australian market, why not continue with the 2009 Ford Ranger they still produce,(Ford is making an idiotic mistake by cutting the Ranger from it's line-up stateside) along with the Mondeo, Falcon, and Focus!!
Have the people of FORD, USA totally lost their minds?
No brainer: Bring us the European & Australian models, and watch your sales soar!
No, I don't own a Ford right now, but certainly would if they'd bring over a couple of these beauties!
The gas mileage ain't bad either!
Thanks for letting me get in on this!
YourNameHere 6:15PM (2/14/2008)
this would defiantly give Ford a better "edge" in the CUV market....oooooh that was corny...
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jgp 6:17PM (2/14/2008)
Why the high holy hell do we get the Escape instead of this?
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AlexP 6:22PM (2/14/2008)
because HURRR CHROME and HURR DISPOSABLE VEHICLES AMERIKUH F'YEAH
Johnny082 3:20PM (4/25/2008)
I wish we got that Kinetic (or however the hell you spell it) design language..:(...not that i plan on buying a Ford, but I do want FoMoCo to succeed, and would like to see these vehicles on the road
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nardvark 6:25PM (2/14/2008)
Um...doesn't the Ford Escape actually sell quite well? For all the pissing and moaning around here, you have to at least acknowledge that your opinions are completely misaligned with the general buying public.
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Ligor 6:25PM (2/14/2008)
my thoughs exactly, why sell us the Escape and not this
I bet you if Ford decided to bring this over the CR-V and RAV-4 would start to loose sales big time
bring it with the diesel as an ption as well.
at that point considering how much nicer this seems than the CR-V/RAV4 who cares even if they straigth up adopt the Escapes engines for the US
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Ligor 6:28PM (2/14/2008)
the only reason the escape sell well is because a lot of them go to fleet sales.
there are a ton around here (MI) acting as security vehicles in almost any mall and any company that has security, even cabs are converting to the Escape
you can get a used one for less than 1/2 price within 1-2years
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nardvark 6:38PM (2/14/2008)
Total BS on your depreciation comment. Unless you're talking about a cab that has 80,000 miles on it after 2 years. I just looked up used prices and a baseline 2 year old escape with 20,000 miles is selling for $13-14k. It would have sold for ~$18k new.
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geo.stewart 7:07PM (2/14/2008)
good callout.
the escape is actually a pretty good vehicle. the recent update probably could have gone further considering it is 7 yrs old now. Heck, Toyota is on its second generation over the same span (3rd in all). the hybrid continues to get kudos, and user ratings remain pretty high.
its biggest problem is that it doesnt get the fuel mileage that the honda/toyo get.
PERHAPS, we can see this in 2 yrs as a replacement
Mi key 7:10PM (2/14/2008)
There's really no reason this shouldn't be sold here in the US. The car is based on current models that are sold globally, so all they have to do is decide whether MERCURY or FORD and put in Dealerships. Haven’t there been rumors of a sub-Escape model to be introduced in the US.
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Mercury Mountaineer 06 7:20PM (2/14/2008)
Two words MERCURY MARINER!!!
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cameron42985 7:40PM (2/14/2008)
Would they need to Import this to the US? Or would it be more practical to built it in Canada?
Either way, it's bound to happen. Not long after the Euro Focus makes the jump, I hope.
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fm 11:57PM (2/14/2008)
I like your optimism. I hope it comes here as well, but I'm not that glass-half-full kind of guy. I might be in the minority here but I've been pissin and moanin bout the big 3's designs for the NA market, for years. Now it seems the Euro only Focus might be coming... I don't know. Patience is a virtue I do not have.
sitruc 7:41PM (2/14/2008)
The blind hate for Ford's US vehicles when compared to European vehicles from some posters is really getting old and frankly is just ignorant. The Escape is a pretty good vehicle. The Kuga is supposed to be part of the CUV segment. Right now that is composed of the Edge and the Taurus X. The SUV segment is in a period of transition right now. The Kuga could happen in the US or appear in several other vehicles. Also, it's normally wise to wait until a vehicle has been released before considering it greater than everything.
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TriShield 11:50PM (2/14/2008)
The Escape doesn't hold a candle to this.
The reason Ford sells vehicles like this to the rest of the world is because they are willing to pay for them and expect this type of quality and design. America really doesn't.
Pretty much every foreign Ford and GM product sold in the US has bombed and lost it's respective automaker money. Nobody wants the Astra now that it is here and it would be the same with any of Ford's foreign product. People will nitpick them to death, whine about the price and simply buy the same disposable Asian trash engineered for US tastes over these vehicles.
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giallo 8:07PM (2/14/2008)
Looks like a tiny volvo xc90, baby the same platform as the xc60.
but it does look nice and the interiors of the latest gen euro fords are sexy.
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Smeagle 8:38PM (2/14/2008)
With those bags under its eyes, it looks like it hasn't gotten enough sleep.
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