Autoblog

Ford Fiesta-based CUV spied again, this time tackling the Monster's peak

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:01:00 EST

Our spy photographers have caught Ford testing its Fiesta-based crossover before. This time, however, the air is a bit thinner and the camo-clad vehicle is sitting up a little bit higher. The vehicle that appears to be the future Ford Fiesta CUV was spotted chugging into the Monster's den that is Pike's Peak.

While it's still a quite heavy on the camouflage, we can predict that this compact soft-roader will utilize the same powertrains found under the bodywork of the Fiesta. Hopefully there's a punched-up optional engine available as well, to cope with a potential four-wheel-drive variant. Can you say Fiesta EcoBoost crossover? We sure can, and we hope Ford does as well.

Ford Fiesta-based CUV spied again, this time tackling the Monster's peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford dealers say Kuga should be named Escape in U.S. - Do you agree? [w/POLL]

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford

2008 Ford Kuga in front, possible 2011 Ford Kuga out back - click above for high-res image gallery

Here's the skinny: Ford's current Escape is heading the way of the dodo bird. In its place will be the Kuga, a much less dowdy looking compact CUV that should compete nicely with the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. The European designed 2011 Kuga will be built here in the United States at a Louisville, Kentucky plant. All this we already know and have known for some time now.

What we don't know is what Ford will call the Kuga when it goes on sale here in 2011. Kuga is obviously one option, but so, apparently, is Escape. According to Wards Auto, Ford's domestic dealers are pushing for Escape. "I believe the Escape is a great vehicle with a great reputation and that it would be a big mistake to kill the Escape name," says one San Diego based dealer.

Others point back to Ford's decision to drop the Taurus name in favor of Five Hundred - part of the brand's strange decision to make all cars start with the letter "F" (Focus, Fusion, Five Hundred - though the Mustang never became Fustang) and all SUVs and crossovers start with the letter "E" (Edge, Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Excursion). Though, of course, reverting back to Five Hundred was supposed to drum up some long lost brand equity/nostalgia, which is the first thing CEO Alan Mulally did when he changed Five Hundred back to Taurus. Very complicated stuff, no?

So, Kuga or Escape? While there are many good arguments for Escape, here's one for Kuga - Ford's One World strategy. Simply put, rather than having one Focus for Europe and one for North America, Ford is working toward offering one global vehicle per a given segment - and that's it. And naming one car one thing for one market and one car another for another is essentially a monkey wrench in the plan. What should Ford do, and more importantly what will they do? Place your vote in our poll below and leave any further thoughts in Comments.

View Poll

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Kuga

[Source: Wards Auto]

Report: Ford dealers say Kuga should be named Escape in U.S. - Do you agree? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford Kuga could come in Lincoln, Mercury flavors, replace Escape, be built in USA

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Ford

Ford Kuga - Click above for high-res image gallery

How's this for an odd twist - Ford essentially kicked off the SUV craze with its Explorer, an embiggened four-door Ranger. And man, did we go crazy. Before the cheap-gas bubble burst, slightly more than half of all passenger vehicles sold here in America were SUVs. Just below the Explorer was and is Ford's little truck (which is no longer little) the Escape. And almost ten years later, the Escape pretty much looks like a body-on-frame SUV, even though people stopped associating SUVs with mud during George W Bush's first term.

So what if the next Escape looked more like the CUV that it actually is, and less like the SUV it isn't? And what if Lincoln got a version? Mercury too, though they already have the Mariner, a rebadged Escape. Also, what if the next escape was built here, but then badged as a Kuga and sold in Europe? According to CEO Alan Mulally and some other, more chatty Ford folks, it's all more than possible.

The latter is really interesting, and shows you just how far the dollar has fallen against the Euro. And it also shows you Ford's One Ford strategy at work - wherein starting very soon, most Ford cars are going to be global in nature. Aside from essential legal parts (like standard stability control in U.S. vehicles) the cars can be sold wherever. Built wherever, too. For instance, the Ford Fiesta, which will be coming to our shores next year, is Ford's best selling car in Europe and will soon be built only in Mexico and shipped both across the border and across the Atlantic.

Back to the Kuga, the plan is to begin building the Kuga in Louisville, Kentucky in late 2011 for export to Europe. Sometime after that, the Kuga will replace the Escape and the Lincoln/Mercury editions. Moreover, this could be the start of a trend - Fords being built in the U.S. for export across the pond.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Kuga

[Source: Automotive News sub-req]

REPORT: Ford Kuga could come in Lincoln, Mercury flavors, replace Escape, be built in USA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U-S-A! Ford reportedly moving production of Kuga to America

Chris Shunk — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Ford, UAW/Unions

2009 Ford Kuga (Euro Spec) - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Ford Kuga is currently made in Europe and isn't available for sale here in the States, but if a report from Bloomberg is to be believed, the next Kuga could be produced in Louisville, Kentucky for sale both here and abroad. Bloomberg's sources claim that Ford plans to build as many as 80,000 Kuga crossovers here for export overseas by October 2011, which would undoubtedly make members of the United Auto Workers union very happy.

Ford is currently awaiting the ratification of a new labor deal that would put labor costs of the Dearborn, MI-based automaker on a nearly equal footing with General Motors and Chrysler. A major tenet of the negotiations is the guarantee of new product to build in U.S. assembly plants, effectively giving 41,000 blue collar Ford employees some much needed job security. A summary of the tentative agreement between the UAW and Ford reportedly states that the Louisville facility will receive a new product with "considerable export volume," so it's not a far leap to surmise that the Kuga will become Kentucky born and bred.

At this point, Ford has only announced that the Louisville plant will receive a more fuel efficient product based on Ford's global C platform. The Kuga certainly fits that bill, and building the small crossover in the good ol' US of A makes financial sense right now since the dollar is worth less than the euro or British pound, and labor costs in the U.S. could be $10 per hour cheaper than they are in Germany, for instance.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Kuga

[Source: Bloomberg]

U-S-A! Ford reportedly moving production of Kuga to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Ford Kuga crossover to get rakish coupe counterpart?

Dan Roth — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Ford, Rendered Speculation

Could CUV coupes (coupe-UVs?) be the next big thing? BMW and Acura have both introduced fastback crossovers, and AutoExpress has tossed up some renderings of a super-sharp Ford Kuga that could do battle in this new arena. While the styling on the regular Kuga is attractive enough, a two door taking even more cues from the Iosis X concept is pretty damned delectible.

Style might rule above substance, but that's not much to complain about, considering that Ford's EcoBoost engines ported from the Fiesta are what AE suggests will spin a PowerShift dual-clutch unit. The rest of the details, such as stop-start and superb dynamics, could all just be fantastical dreaming predicated on some good looking altered images; Ford's concentrating on the Focus and C-Max, with an MPV following on the heels of those two. If it does happen, we should see something on the show circuit for 2011.

[Source: AutoExpress, Photo:Miroslav]

Rendered Speculation: Ford Kuga crossover to get rakish coupe counterpart? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Local TV reports Ford Kuga to be made in Louisville

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Ford, UAW/Unions

When Ford began laying out its plan to build European product over here, Ford's Louisville assembly plant was tipped to build the Euro Focus. But according to sources who spoke to Louisville's NBC affiliate Wave3, the plant will actually be getting the Ford Kuga. It's a coup for the plant's roughly 3,000 employees, who currently build the slow-selling Explorer and its siblings, to now have an undeniably anticipated vehicle to look forward to.

Ford and city and state authorities have been negotiating the fate of the two plants for a while. The truck plant was reportedlysafe, but the assembly plant's future was uncertain. Ford has said it will spend over $100 million to retool both of its Louisville plants - it also has a truck plant there that makes Super Duty F-Series vehicles - which will save 6,000 jobs. The conversion is expected to take six months and probably won't be ready until 2011. A Ford spokeswoman had no comment on reports about the Kuga. Hat tip to Juan

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Kuga

[Source: Wave3]

Local TV reports Ford Kuga to be made in Louisville originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Ford Kuga Individual

Noah Joseph — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:50:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Ford, Specialty

Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga Individual

When we put the production Ford Kuga next to its progenitor, the Iosis X show car, on our test drive in Belgium, we couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. The Kuga is a fine looking cute-ute, but lacks the aggressive styling that made the Iosis X such a show stopper. Ford promised to close the gap a little with the Individual version of the Kuga, launched here in Paris.

The Kuga joins Individual versions of the Ford Mondeo, Fiesta, S-Max and Galaxy, offering overseas buyers a host of luxury options you'd normally find on higher-end automobiles. The interior trim in particular goes a long way towards addressing some of the incoherence we mentioned in our review as well. Along with the leather and stuff, the Kuga Individual gets a revised exterior package that evokes some of the touches from the concept car, like aluminum intake fascias, 20" wheels and ground effects. The latter gives the Kuga a more road-skimming look as opposed to the Iosis X's jacked-up stature, but it's a nice touch all the same. The best part, however, could be the new engine option: the same Volvo-sourced turbo five from the hot Focus ST, albeit detuned to 200hp. Check out the photos in the gallery below to see the updated Kuga Individual from the Paris show floor.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Ford Kuga Individual

Gallery: Ford Kuga Individual

Paris 2008: Ford Kuga Individual originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Ford reveals Kuga Individual package

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Ford, Lifestyle, Specialty

Click above for more shots of Ford Kuga Individual

Ford of Europe has an Individual Program that's been rolled out for a number of old world offerings, and now the Kuga gets its turn in the wardrobe room. Inspired by the Iosis concept from 2006, the new body kit and 20-inch wheels clothe a specialized interior for the Kuga Titanium that features Ebony Nappa and Bond leathers with contrasting piping and high-gloss Piano White fixtures.

Down in front, the Kuga will benefit from a new 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder Duratec Turbo with 200 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque that comes out of the Focus ST. It should add some sporty to the spaciousness while returning 29 Imperial mpg. This gas engine is 64 hp up on the standard offering, the Duratorq TDCi diesel. Another first for the Kuga, it can be shifted with an optional 3-mode, 5-speed automatic transmission.

On another note, the Duratec puts out a more energetic sound thanks to new exhaust tuning. The Individual program and powertrain options will be available from the beginning of 2009, and the first Kuga Individual showcasing what customers will be able to do goes on display at this week's Paris Motor Show. In the mean time, check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Ford Kuga Individual

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Ford reveals Kuga Individual package

Paris Preview: Ford reveals Kuga Individual package originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: Ford Kuga (Euro-spec)

Noah Joseph — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Crossover, Ford, First Drives

Click above for high-res gallery of the Euro-spec Ford Kuga

The grass, they say, is always greener on the other side of the fence. Though that often appears to be the case, most of the time it isn't. Dearborn's new "One Ford" initiative promises that we'll soon be able to stop gazing longingly across the ocean at what the company offers overseas buyers, as Ford endeavors to integrate its global product line-up into one cohesive range for every market around the world. In the case of the new Fiesta, that's a good thing. Less so with regards to the Kuga. Follow the jump to read why.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Kuga

Continue reading First Drive: Ford Kuga (Euro-spec)

First Drive: Ford Kuga (Euro-spec) originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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C-Max and Kuga may follow Euro Focus to the U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga

Nary a ~~month~~ ~~week~~ day goes by that we're not told of the imminent importation of Ford's grass-is-greener Euro models. The Fiesta has been approved for U.S. consumption in 2010, and even though we've heard the Focus shtick before, it would appear that it's finally coming to fruition in late 2010 or early 2011. But Ford can't rely on just one product to justify sales of the next-generation C1 platform in the States (there's also the Volvo S40/C30 and Mazda3), so it's looking to bring two other Blue Oval-branded models to justify the expense.

Speaking with Automotive News, Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, confirmed that the U.S. is slated to receive multiple C-segment vehicles that have already debuted in Europe and Japan. The first vehicle that could conceivably be brought to market is the recently released Kuga crossover, which shares the C1 platform and could be marketed as the next Escape or Mercury Mariner if we're lucky. The second model is the Ford C-Max, which is a more modern take on the traditional people mover, and would provide SUV refugees a compelling case to downsize their rides into anything but a minivan.

Fields didn't divulge when the European product onslaught would take place, but it's a safe bet that if either vehicle immigrates across the Atlantic, we'll be seeing them around the turn of the decade.

Gallery: Ford Kuga

Gallery: 2008 Ford C-MAX

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

C-Max and Kuga may follow Euro Focus to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 May 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: production Ford Kuga

Noah Joseph — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Ford

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.

Gallery: Ford Kuga

Geneva 2008: production Ford Kuga originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford UK prices Kuga CUV

Chris Shunk — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Europe, Crossover, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the UK Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga is a terrific-looking little ute that combines the sporty nature of the Euro Focus chassis with an uber-efficient 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel powerplant. The best part for inhabitants of the UK is that all that kinetic design goodness and a combined 44.1 mpg will set them back just £20,495 for the Zetec and £22,495 for the Titanium model. Standard features include keyless start, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, stability control and ABS. The Titanium model adds blue-tint glass, partial leather seating surfaces, and dual-zone temperature control. If the Brits want to raise the amenity bar even higher, they can check options like a panoramic roof, high end DAB stereo system and rear-facing camera.

If every glance at an unattainable Euro Ford puts a damper on your otherwise normal day, we apologize. If you feel cheated for not being able to purchase a sexy crossover that averages the same overall fuel economy as the Toyota Prius minus the batteries and door jam aesthetics, you're not alone.

Gallery: Ford Kuga

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford UK prices Kuga CUV

Ford UK prices Kuga CUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Ford Kuga set to attack Europe

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:08:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Ford

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: Ford Kuga

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Ford Kuga set to attack Europe

Geneva 2008: Ford Kuga set to attack Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: Ford unveils Kuga, its first Euro-made CUV

John Neff — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Crossover, Ford

click above image to view a full high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga

In North America, one could argue that Ford has gone bonkers for CUVs. Just try counting on one hand the number of CUVs badged with a Blue Oval that are on sale or will be in the next year. Ford of Europe, however, has just introduced its very first proper CUV (SUV looks, unibody construction) in the Kuga. Again a host for Martin Smith's "Kinetic" design philosophy, the Kuga looks sharp, like how we now expect European Fords to look. Picture a Mondeo and U.S.-spec Escape having babies - they would look like the Kuga. This pre-production model was obviously inspired heavily by the Iosis X Concept CUV that Ford showed in Paris last year, and you'll even be able to order the concept's 19-inch wheel design as an option on the Kuga.

Set to go on sale sometime the first half of 2008, the Kuga will be available with a 2.0L Duratorq TDCi diesel engine connected to a six-speed manual. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive will also be available. Ford tells us more engines and transmissions will be available, but those details are still being sorted out.

The interior features a smart and clean layout comprised of what appears to be high quality materials, and customers will be able to choose the same panoramic roof shown on this vehicle.

Check out Ford's official press release after the jump, and take a gander at our live shots of the Ford Kuga in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Ford Kuga

Frankfurt 2007: Ford unveils Kuga, its first Euro-made CUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iosis X-based Ford Kuga to hit Europe in '08

Alex Nunez — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Ford

Click image to enlarge

Sometimes, you have to wonder if Ford really favors Europeans over Americans. After all, look at the product portfolios. Sure, we have the Mustang and the trucks, which are great, but Europe wins pretty much everywhere else. The Mondeo tops the Fusion, their Focus is worlds better than the bizarre-looking thing we're about to get, and now they've announced that Europe's receiving a small crossover that's likely to make Escape look ponderous by comparison. Obviously derived from the Iosis X concept, that car is the Ford Kuga, and while the name's not the greatest (sounds like a Bostonian saying "Cougar"), the sketch above shows a very sporty-looking ride that applies the Ford of Europe "kinetic design" philosophy to a 4x4 crossover. Assuming it's similarly-sized, Kuga is to Escape what Mondeo is to Fusion. That means the Europeans win and we lose. Again.

The car will debut in September at the Frankfurt show and go on sale throughout Europe in 2008. Follow the jump for Ford's press release. We've also included a gallery of the 2006 Iosis X concept below.

Gallery: Ford Iosis X Concept

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Iosis X-based Ford Kuga to hit Europe in '08

Iosis X-based Ford Kuga to hit Europe in '08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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