Autoblog

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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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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Ford of Europe may design next all-new Mercury

Chris Shunk — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Ford, Mercury

Ford has promised that the Mercury brand will live on in a way that sets the marque apart from it's Blue Oval-badged siblings. Many Autoblog readers have commented that Ford should utilize its European models to meet this end, and all indications are that you were right on. Ford has said that the next all-new Mercury would come in 2010, and Ford of Europe CEO John Fleming told Automotive News that the vehicle will "likely" be designed and engineered in Europe. The reason for Mr. Fleming's confidence comes from the fact that the new vehicle will be based on the Ford Focus platform, and that vehicle architecture will, for the foreseeable future, be developed overseas.

Ford of Europe currently builds the C-Max, the three-, four-, and five-door Focus and the Kuga off the C-platform, meaning any one of those variants could one day wear a Mercury waterfall grille. While it would essentially still be a rebadged Ford, this new Merc will be a slightly reworked version of a vehicle that won't otherwise be sold stateside, so it will be new to us. That sounds a lot better than the Mercurys we have today.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Ford of Europe may design next all-new Mercury originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:27:00 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 Drive

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: 2008 Ford Kuga - Production

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: 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: 2008 Ford Kuga - Production

[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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Frankfurt Preview: Ford Kuga crosses over to production

Alex Nunez — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:38:00 EST

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

Click image for hi-res gallery

As you can see here, the Ford Kuga crossover that will go on sale in Europe and the UK in 2008 is very close in appearance to the Iosis X concept car on which it's based. If you compare the two using the galleries below, you'll see that the Kuga's roofline is a smidge less aggressive, which makes for happy backseat passengers. The production car will even be available with the same 19" rollers featured on the concept.

As you can plainly see, the Kuga is an attractive blend of Ford Europe's "Kinetic Design" language and some other styling elements that we've seen become prevalent in a number of crossovers. We're talking mostly about that upswept D-pillar, which can be seen on everything from the Nissan Murano to the to the Toyota RAV4. The front end styling meshes beautifully with that of the Mondeo it'll be sharing showroom space with in the future. And the rear, while not terribly unique, is nicely done as well.

The interior is better than anything you'll find in the US-market Escape, and yes, that shifter you see is connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox. A 134-horsepower (136 PS) turbodiesel lives under the bonnet, and both FWD and 4WD variants will be available. Like just about every other Ford of Europe product, we'd like to see the Kuga cross over to our side of the Atlantic. Compared to this, the Ford Escape is just lame.

Cover Our Own Ass Disclaimer: Though the Kuga Crossover was embargoed by Ford until 7:01PM EST, or 12:01AM GMT, the vehicle was first spotted on km77.com, then Motor Authority.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: 2008 Ford Kuga

Gallery: Ford Iosis X Concept

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Ford Kuga crosses over to production

Frankfurt Preview: Ford Kuga crosses over to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazdaspeed MX-5 coming mid-2008, Kabura still in the works

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:25:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Crossover, Mazda

The folks who bring us all the News from the Automotive world supplied Autoweek, their sister publication, details on what is to become of the Mazda lineup over the next three years. Most of it is predictable enough, including the new Mazda6, due to be unveiled in Frankfurt, the refresh of the Mazda3 and the possibility of bringing the Mazda2 Stateside at the turn of the decade.

What caught our interest was the news of a Mazdaspeed MX-5, which will predictably be packing the turbocharged 2.3-liter liter four-pot that currently resides in the Mazdaspeed3, albeit slightly detuned to efficiently package the radiator and intercooler.

The Kabura concept, based off of the MX-5 underpinnings, may still be in the cards, as long as the automaker can include Europe and/or Japan in the production plans. Revisions would have to be made to the existing platform, but we suspect that it wouldn't take much to lengthen the wheelbase, slap on some new body panels and make the fixed-roof version of the Miata that we've longed for.

Also mentioned in the article was the forthcoming redesign of the RX-8, likely to bow sometime in 2009 or 2010, along with a new CX-5 which will likely draw cues from the Kuga concept set to be shown by Ford next month in Frankfurt. The only glaring omission: no mention of an RX-7 revival -- bummer.

[Source: Autoweek]

Mazdaspeed MX-5 coming mid-2008, Kabura still in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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D�j� vu all over again: Euro-infused Fords are coming, new Focus by 2011

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 01:42:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Hatchback, Ford, Lincoln

We've known that after Mulally was appointed Grand Poo-bah of FoMoCo, one of the first items on his to-do list was to commonize the automaker's lineup in Europe and America in an effort to cut production costs. The cry from those of us in the States, deriding Ford's execs for depriving us of the automaker's European offerings has been far and wide, and according to Automotive News, the movement is underfoot. Let the breath holding begin.

The auto-industry pub cites suppliers and "industry sources" as saying that Ford will be importing the C1 platform to the U.S. in the form of the new Focus and Escape, along with the C-Max and a Lincoln crossover. Expect the new Focus and C-Max to make it to our shores by 2011, while the Escape replacement and Lincoln's crossover - likely to be inspired by the European Kuga - to come by 2012.

Even better for N.A. autoworkers, Ford plans to build these newest offerings in the Wayne, Michigan and Kansas City plant, with a possibility of also employing the Cuautitlan, Mexico line.

Although we've heard these rumblings before, and have been left with such disappointments as the '08 Focus, we're feeling a bit more confident about this latest report. The timeframe seems entirely plausible, but until it happens we'll be looking cautiously into the future.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

D�j� vu all over again: Euro-infused Fords are coming, new Focus by 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 01:42:00 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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