Geneva 2008: production Ford Kuga
by Noah Joseph on Mar 9th 2008 at 11:03AM 
Click above to view the Ford Kuga in hi-res
Kinetic design has been swallowing Ford of Europe's product range whole, and took a big bite at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Alongside the new Fiesta, Ford showed off the production version of the all-new Kuga crossover. Previewed by the concept unveiled at the last Frankfurt show and drawing on styling cues from the Iosis X show car, the Kuga is based on the same platform as the slicker Focus they get overseas.
Although the Kuga is admittedly one more European model that Ford won't offer in its home market, we're not short of Ford crossovers to choose from over here, so we'll let the Europeans have this one. (Just give us the Focus RS and we'll be happy.) But to see what we're missing, check out our gallery of images from the Geneva show floor by clicking on the thumbnails below. Unfortunately, although we're sure the Kuga rolled off its turntable at night after we were gone and duked it out with the Renault Koleos for market share, we couldn't prove it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AcePilot 11:31AM (3/09/2008)
Is it me or does it this thing look like a cheap imitation of the x5? They didn't even try to be subtle, they unashamedly, I mean without even batting an eyelid copy the wheels of the x5 design for design! This BMW imitation trend is getting old!
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Mattias 11:46AM (3/09/2008)
Definitely not.
The the Kuga and place it between a new Euro Focus and a BMW X5 and you'll see that it takes much more of the details from the Focus. This is current Ford Europe design, nothing else.
Mattias 11:46AM (3/09/2008)
Take the Kuga...
Yaroukh 5:54PM (3/09/2008)
definetely, x5 has four wheels too
pscs 11:49AM (3/09/2008)
doesnt look that great. kinda bland. it's too toned down from the concept, which looked decent.
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Avinash machado 11:55AM (3/09/2008)
Could make a good Mercury Mariner.
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Ligor 12:08PM (3/09/2008)
another Nissan Murano side view
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Mehul 7:37PM (3/09/2008)
LMAO.... Are you serious? This thing looks like a smashed up Murano from the back.
Granted it looks much better than the Escape but then again, thats not saying much. I think there are better looking CUV's out there (Like the Mazda CX7)
Mehul 7:38PM (3/09/2008)
Stupid reply button. This was a reply to cameron42985
Tony 12:12PM (3/09/2008)
What do you mean they can have this one??? This would have been the perfect replacement for our Escape! They could have even kept the Escape name and used it on the Kuga here. Throw in "American" style engine/transmission choices (base 4, opt. v-6, 5spd auto) and it would have been fantastic. But noooooo, Ford decided to "refresh" the same Escape we've had here since the stone ages and call it a day. What the heck is Ford North America thinking these days???
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Mattias 12:26PM (3/09/2008)
I doubt the V6 would fit. OK, it would fit, but then there would be no space left to pass (Euro) NCAP with godd results. Of course the Volvo I5 and I6 would be a good choice for this car...
psarhjinian 1:35AM (3/10/2008)
It might also accommodate the Mazda DISI 2.3 turbo, in lieu of the Duratec 3.5.
I agree, this would have made a great replacement for the Escape. The Edge is nice enough, but it's huge. With the demise of the Focus wagon, Ford of North America really has nothing small and practical.
cameron42985 1:49PM (3/09/2008)
This blows Murano out of the water. Unfortunately, crossovers with quality this apparent don't sell quite as well here in the US (i.e. X3, MDX)
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TriShield 2:23PM (3/09/2008)
Once again, America gets the dumb plastic cars it deserves.
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TP 3:53PM (3/09/2008)
Infinitely better looking than the Maverick/Escape that Ford forced upon the European market a few years back - and it's probably safe to assume it will be a worthy rival to the X-Trail/CR-V crowd.
Though the Kinetic Design does have a distinctive look, it's quite easy to see a few recognisable features under the clothes of the Kuga - look at the side crease.
Overall though, can't wait, should get some grand reviews - it's a whole lot more cohesive looking than the CR-V too...
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bmwrturtls 4:29PM (3/09/2008)
Well as some one who does a lot of designing for various firms including a few high end car companies. I would have to wholly agree with the upper post about a bmw design theft here. This looks like a bmw clone with some upper Mbenz wheel archs and maybe even an Audi thrown in to confuse the mess. But the BMW signature movements are the easiest to see but that is the nature of design . They mostly cant be trademarked nor do they last in their current form for long. Hence BMW will need to move on a bit and transform into its next incarnation! Which probably will be copying Audi's new 2010 design direction which from some of the secret stuff I've seen they are gonna blow BMW and Mbenz back to Deutchland.
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Yaroukh 5:59PM (3/09/2008)
you are kidding, aren't you?
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/image39055_b.jpg
http://www.thetorquereport.com/fordkuga_prehi005.jpg
jgp 4:41AM (3/10/2008)
No, it looks more like the X3. Compare that Kuga pic to this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:BMW--X3.jpg
They're virtually identical.
jgp 9:48PM (3/09/2008)
Is it just me, or is the front end unnaturally flat?
The grill looks like it should be jutting forwards, but it isn't, so it just looks strange.
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Brian 10:29AM (3/10/2008)
Has there been some sort of official stance saying that this is definitely not coming to the US?
I ask because those headlights look DOT-compliant. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the orange/amber reflectors in the headlights are only required in the US - and are not very common in Europe. I was under the impression that European designs usually went for an amber bulb and a color-less reflector
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