Ford New Zealand Introduces Kuga

Ford New Zealand Introduces Kuga

* Distinctive Ford Kinetic design gives personality and presence to the Ford Kuga Titanium

* Impressive on-road driving dynamics and proven performance from the 2.5 Turbo I5 petrol engine

* Available from November

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 16 August 2011 - Ford New Zealand is proud to announce an all-new addition to its model lineup - the Ford Kuga. The European-built Ford Kuga, available in the range-topping Titanium edition, arrives at Ford dealers throughout the country from November and will join the already launched Mondeo, Territory and Focus Titanium models. The New Zealand RRP is $53,990.

"This is big news for us and we're very excited," said Chris Masterson, Marketing Manager, Ford New Zealand. "The Kuga has done very well in Europe since its introduction in 2008, often topping sales charts. Locally, the small SUV market has seen substantial growth in the last few years and now with a European-proven design we have a highly compelling offer for customers in this market. As an attractive, well-designed and fully-capable crossover vehicle, the Kuga Titanium will be hard to beat. Customers will be impressed, as will our competition."

Sound Foundation and Safety Technologies The Ford Kuga is based on Ford's acclaimed C-car architecture - well proven in the Ford Focus.

Available with a proven powertrain and full-time AWD system, it is perfect for those drivers looking for style, presence and AWD capability. Significant driver assistance technologies will be standard in the Ford Kuga including Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) that combines Anti Rollover Mitigation (ARM) and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).

Kinetic Design Continues The stylish and charismatic Kuga is a further demonstration of the exciting direction Ford vehicles have taken. The fresh and modern styling is the starting point with the substance of the car matching this styling promise. This is delivered by leading driving dynamics, a strong and competent safety pedigree, high quality and craftsmanship and a competitive crossover package. A high seating position, the intelligent AWD option and large stowage volumes make the Kuga a very attractive proposition.

"Kuga's arrival to New Zealand will certainly raise the bar in the busy and highly-competitive crossover segment," said Masterson. "The kinetic design styling gives the car great personality and tremendous showroom appeal to potential customers."

The exterior design features of Kuga naturally incorporate a wealth of practicality. The 'Liftgate' tailgate offers maximum flexibility and convenience with separate access via micro switches to either the upper tailgate section only or both sections simultaneously.

The materials chosen for Kuga's interior also demonstrate the close links to the original iosis X Concept. The eye-catching and lavish Kuga interior incorporates fine Napoli leather and gloss finishes. Colour-matched details of the interior design and integrated trim colours highlight the instrument panel and door trims, creating a complete, unified look of design-led quality and premium sportiness.

Kuga offers comfortable and spacious seating for up to five adults. The second row seating has a 60/40 split and has been designed to fold completely flat to maximise the usefulness of the available load compartment in two-seat mode. Underseat storage is a practical feature beneath the second row with further storage under the floor of the luggage compartment area which is divided into compartments to offer maximum practicality.

A luggage compartment sill height of 758mm aids the loading of heavy items into the car. The Kuga has a generous luggage capacity of 1355 litres when in two-seat mode, while the enclosed luggage compartment achieves a volume of 360 litres.

Capability and Performance The Kuga Titanium will be available in New Zealand with the renowned 2.5-litre turbo charged I5 petrol engine (147kW 320Nm) mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. As proven in the XR5 Focus, the engine combined with intelligent AWD provide exceptional torque, performance and pulling power under various engine and vehicle load conditions. The Ford Kuga has been engineered for class-leading on-road driving dynamics and exceptional off-road capabilities for expanded leisure time use. The vehicle also returns favourable fuel economy figures of 10.3 litres of fuel per 100 km, using the combined fuel consumption figures and a figure of 244 g/km of CO2.

Using proven and established Ford C-car chassis components and technology as a solid basis, Ford's engineers tailored, tuned and calibrated each component and aspect of the ride and handling to ensure Kuga carries the blue oval family pedigree for strong driving dynamics.

The key overall target was to ensure that Kuga achieved the highest levels of ride, handling, braking and steering performance within the segment.

The Ford Kuga joins a highly acclaimed and successful portfolio that is recognised for its safety standards as being a key attribute. The first element contributing to Kuga's safety is the stiff and rigid passenger cell designed and built to resist deformation. A host of active, passive and dedicated pedestrian safety features further contribute to Kuga's safety story.

Manufactured at Ford's Saarlouis plant in Germany the new Kuga will be built alongside the new Focus three-door, five-door and wagon variants and C-MAX.

Specifications

Gross Vehicle Weight 2130kg

Wheel Base 2690mm

Kerb Weight 1653kg

Power 147kW

Gross Combined Weight 3630kg

Cc 2522

Emission Level Euro Stage V

CO2 244g/km

Fuel Economy (Urban) 14.6L /100km

Fuel Economy (Extra_Urban) 7.8L /100km

Fuel Economy (Combined) 10.3L /100km

Max Towed Mass (braked) 1500kg

Max Towed Mass (unbraked) 750kg

Transmission 5 Speed Auto

Features

Exterior

* Front & rear fog lamps

* Halogen headlamps

* Follow Me Home lighting

* Power heated side mirrors with side indicators and puddle lamps

* Roof rails

* Rear privacy glass

* Dual exhaust pipe with chrome finish

* Split tailgate

* 19" Alloy wheels with 235/45 V tyres

* Rain sensing wipers

* Rear parking sensors

Interior

* Premium Napoli leather seat trim

* Heated front seats

* Seatback mounted tray table

* Rear seat centre armrest with cup holders

* Cruise control

* Power windows

* 60/40 Split Rear Seat

* Rear tonneau cover

* Premium centre console

* Overhead console with map reading lamps and sunglass holder

* Dual zone electronic air conditioning controls

* Electrochromatic mirror

* Bluetooth Voice Control with Connectivity module (USB/iPod/audio streaming)

* Keyless Start/Stop Push Button

* Front floor mats

Safety

* 5_star NCAP rating

* Driver & Front Passenger Airbag

* Driver and Front Passenger Side Thorax and Pelvis Airbags

* Side Curtain Airbags

* ABS with DSC (with Anti Rollover Mitigation) including EBA

* Driver & Front Passenger Beltminder

* Allergy tested interior

* Emergency brake light - automatic hazard warning under emergency braking

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

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