Autoblog

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.



[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

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.


[Source: 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.

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]

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]

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.]

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.



[Source: Ford]