June 16, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

New Ford Kuga is a ÒcrossoverÓ, not an SUV
By Neil Winton

LONDON, June 16, Graphic News:  Ford has come up with a neat way to deflect criticism from environmentalists who say Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are killing the climate and must be banned; call them ÒcrossoversÓ instead.

Ford is amongst the last of the big European car manufacturers to jump on the compact Sport Utility Vehicle bandwagon with its Kuga. VW of Germany finally unveiled its Tiguan late last year. FranceÕs Renault is currently launching its Koleos SUV. Only ItalyÕs Fiat has yet to succumb to the fad.

Sales of SUVs, sorry, crossovers, in Europe have been accelerating, despite the campaign by groups like Greenpeace who claim these Ògas guzzlersÓ should be prohibited from city centres and subjected to penal taxation, even though the latest SUVs often have high-technology diesel engines which can achieve impressive fuel economy.

According to BritainÕs Automotive Industry Data (AID), which publishes a fortnightly pan-European newsletter, SUVs have become increasingly popular in Europe despite all the adverse publicity and will continue to be in demand. Sales of compact SUVs like the Land Rover Freelander and Toyota RAV4, as well as more familiar monsters like the Range Rover and Audi Q7, have more than doubled their market share in Western Europe since 2001 to just under eight percent in 2007, when some 1.2 million SUVs were sold in the region. Schmidt expects this to carry on increasing at least until 2011, when demand is finally expected to peak. Schmidt warns though that recent SUV sales have been hit by concerns over rocketing oil prices. This might put an end to the SUV boom unless prices return quickly to normal.

Ford said the Kuga uses many of the body parts and engines from its Focus small family car and the Ford C-Max small Òpeople moverÓ. This helps explain the word ÒcrossoverÓ because unlike more traditional SUVs, which are based on heavier engineering which has more in common with trucks than cars, modern versions are much lighter, easier to drive and more fuel-efficient. Vehicles like the Kuga are more like cars than trucks.

Ford is launching the Kuga with just a 4-cylinder 2.0 litre diesel engine, although there will be a five-cylinder petrol motor later. The 134bhp diesel engine with a six-speed manual gearbox will average about 44.1 miles per gallon (6.4 litres per 100 kilometres). Most Kugas have four-wheel drive, but with a system which only engages all the wheels when the computer decides that is required. Some versions can specify two-wheel drive only, although that version wonÕt be available in Britain. All Kugas come with computerised safety devices like Anti-Rollover Mitigation, and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. You can pay more for a rear view camera to take the risk out of parking. Plastic front wings reduce weight and provide enhanced damage protection, according to Ford. There are two trim-levels, Trend and Titanium.

Ford has made huge advances recently with the quality and driveability of its cars, and the Kuga carries on this trend. Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder, but the Kuga surely looks attractive and well designed.

But just remember when are invited to a dinner-party by radical environmentalists to say youÕve just bought a new ÒcrossoverÓ, not a hated SUV.
/ENDS


Ford Kuga TDCi Titanium fact box

Engine Ð 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder diesel
Power Ð 134bhp @4,000 rpm
Torque Ð 236-lb ft @ 2,000 rpm
Drive Ð all wheels
Gearbox Ð 6-speed manual
Acceleration Ð 0-60mph-100km/h 10.3 seconds
Top speed Ð 112mph-182km/h
Fuel consumption Ð claimed combined Ð 44.1mpg-6.4 l/kms
C02 Ð 169g/km
Length Ð 4,443mm
Width Ð 1,842mm
Height Ð 1,677mm
Wheel-base Ð 2,690mm
Weight Ð 2,130kg
Boot capacity 410/1,355 litres
For Ð stylish, well designed
Against Ð has less off-road ability than competitors like the Land Rover Freelander
Rating - **** out of 5    
Price Ð £22,500, on sale across Europe now