NZ's Smartest Utility Vehicle and now smartest value

New Zealand’s Smartest Utility Vehicle and now smartest value

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Ford New Zealand today confirmed pricing for New Zealand’s first Smart Utility Vehicle – the all-new Ford Kuga – which includes a sub $40,000 option.

“We have a fantastic line-up with EcoBoost petrol or turbo diesel powertrains and we’re happy to report we have a sub $40,000 entry point with the Kuga Ambiente which is excellent value for money” said Chris Masterson, Marketing Manager, Ford New Zealand.

“New Zealanders want more for their dollar and the all new Kuga delivers,” added Masterson.

With the combined smart features like SYNC connectivity, contemporary styling and the availability of both EcoBoost petrol and Ford’s proven Duratorq diesel engines, the Ford Kuga goes officially on sale from 17 April 2013.

Smart

The all-new Ford Kuga has a surprising array of features and technologies, including:

· Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system

· Innovative “Open sesame” hands-free, powered tailgate, which operates with a foot sweeping motion under the rear bumper

· Ford SYNC

· Fuel efficient engines that include a 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and proven 2.0-litre turbo-diesel

The SUV’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system can pre-emptively assess road conditions 20 times faster than it takes to blink an eye, readjusting the all-wheel-drive power split to give the driver the best blend of handling and traction.

The primary goal of the AWD system at low speeds is traction; at speeds above 30 km/h the AWD system is tuned to improve driving feel, handling and responses. A unique cluster display shows drivers the torque demand of each wheel at any moment.

In addition to the intelligent AWD system, Ford Curve Control acts as a safeguard for drivers who have entered a bend with too much speed. The system mitigates against severe understeer by aggressive braking and can, if the driver is still pushing their foot down on the accelerator, also reduce engine torque.

Ford’s “open sesame” hands-free, powered tailgate can be opened or closed simply by a foot sweep motion beneath the rear bumper to either open or close the powered tailgate; while the rear seats fold flat in one movement.

The new Ford Kuga also sees previously Titanium-only features move into the mid-level Trend series, including:

· Active City Stop

· Adaptive Cruise Control

· Blind Spot Information System

· Roll Stability Control

· Lane Keeping Aid

· Lane Departure Warning

· Auto High Beam Control

· Driver Impairment Monitor

· Front parking sensor

· Power folding exterior mirrors

Fuel efficiency
The new Ford Kuga will deliver exceptional fuel economy through significantly improved fuel efficiency from a powertrain line-up that, for the first time in New Zealand, includes a 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine as standard.

The powertrain choices are:

· 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine

· 2.0-litre Duratorq turbo-diesel

In the Ford Kuga, petrol engine fuel consumption has been reduced by 25 per cent and diesel engine fuel consumption by 10 per cent.

The new 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with 134 kW / 240 Nm also has Active Grille Shutters to aide fuel efficiency at highway speeds and is available in all-wheel drive Ambiente, Trend and Titanium models.

Along with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, customers will also be able to specify Ford’s proven 2.0-litre Duratorq turbo-diesel, which develops 120 kW and 340 Nm. Fuel economy figures for both engines are as follows:

ENGINE

POWER

kW

TORQUE

Nm

Combined

Fuel Economy

(L / 100km)1

Urban

Fuel Economy1

Extra

Urban

Fuel Economy1

CO2

g / km1

Emission Level

1.6L EcoBoost

(petrol)

134

240

7.7

10.2

6.3

179

Euro V

2.0L Diesel (TDCi)

120

340

6.2

7.5

5.6

162

Euro V

1 Data is based on tests conducted in accordance with directive 10/1268/EEC for Ford

Clever spaces
The all-new Ford Kuga features several places to store specific items in the interior including umbrellas, bottles and cell phones.

Unique storage spots include:

· Overhead visors with ticket holders for parking or toll tickets

· Hidden storage bin under the second-row floor

· Small umbrella holders on both driver and passenger seat trim panels

· A card holder below and a stowage bin above the centre of the instrument panel

· Centre console space to hold a one-litre bottle, MP3 player or CDs

· Convenient USB ports in the centre console and a 240-volt power outlet located at the back of the centre console and luggage area for easy plug-in of laptops, cell phone chargers or other electronics

Design

The all-new Ford Kuga first surfaced as the Vertrek concept car, a showcase SUV that offered a dynamic, all-inclusive solution to what customers around the globe were demanding in a medium-size SUV.

There were several key elements that customers in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific expected of a medium SUV. They include engaging design, outstanding fuel efficiency and smart technologies wrapped in a right-sized package that supports an active lifestyle.

Overwhelmingly, consumers were very clear about what they wanted – strong design, great driving quality, smart technology and the capability to get to their favourite weekend recreation areas. Importantly, the Vertrek concept showcased the cargo-carrying capability that customers now expect, but added a level of craftsmanship and quality often lost in medium SUVs.

The Vertrek concept blended capability, great design and craftsmanship and this has carried over to the production version of the Ford Kuga. Importantly too, the Vertrek showcased a broad suite of customer-focused Ford technologies, many of which have migrated across to the Ford Kuga.

Among these are SYNC connectivity, Active Park Assist, Blind Spot Information System and Keyless Entry with push-button start.

New Colours

In New Zealand, the new Ford Kuga will be available in seven colours, including a new hero colour, Ginger Ale. The colour palette is:

· Frozen White

· Panther Black

· Ink Blue

· Moondust Silver

· Ginger Ale

· Sterling Grey

Safe

Scoring the highest of any vehicles in its segment, Ford Kuga was awarded a maximum five-star rating by both EuroNCAP and the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Ford conducted more than 5,000 virtual and real-world crash tests to ensure the highest safety levels during the development of the all-new Ford Kuga.

More than 30 per cent of the body structure is made up of high and ultra-high strength steels.

Ford Kuga New Zealand Pricing*

Model

Engine

RRP

Kuga Ambiente (AWD)

1.6-litre EcoBoost

$39,990

Kuga Trend (AWD)

1.6-litre EcoBoost

$43,990

Kuga Trend (AWD)

2.0-litre TDCi

$45,990

Kuga Titanium (AWD)

1.6-litre EcoBoost

$52,990

Kuga Titanium (AWD)

2.0-litre TDCi

$54,990
ends

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