The all-new Ford Kuga is Ford Europe’s first entry into a highly competitive crossover market and the petrol version also joined its model portfolio in Europe earlier this year.
Recently introduced by Premier Automobiles (Brunei is the second market to introduce Kuga into Asia after Hong Kong), it is particularly meant for those seeking a vehicle that promises a blend of rewarding on-road driving quality and surprising off-road capabilities.
Ford Southeast Asia’s District Manager at Ford Export and Growth Operations, Tom Dickin, said that the new Kuga delivers a highly capable, expressive and charismatic vehicle.
Its designers and engineers have successfully integrated key driver and passenger requirements for an exciting crossover model with a distinctive new concept.
Premier Automobiles’ Managing Director Teng Chee Khiong firmly believes that the Kuga will appeal to many loyal Ford customers looking for something different, as well as bringing in new customers to the brand.
On the other hand, he pointed out that with its ‘kinetic design’ exteriors, Ford’s acclaimed on-road vehicle dynamics and premium product quality are just some of the highlights that the Kuga brings to this fast-growing market segment.
The dynamic Ford Kuga is well balanced with good proportions and provides spacious accommodation for driver and passengers alike, despite being based on a compact footprint, featuring a five-seater with 60/40 rear seats that can fold completely flat.
On the downside, legroom in the Kuga’s rear perhaps would not be brilliant for some (particularly those long-legged) but yet one could appreciate its capacious boot and on top of this the rear seats fold flat or split too, so that one can carry loads that are just a little longer.
The driving position in the Kuga is excellent. There are comfortable seats with really good lumbar support, a multi-position steering wheel enhancing the feeling of control, and all of the buttons and gadgets are well within reach – a necessity for drivers who get into the habit of reaching for them while driving.
The interior of the Kuga has been as meticulously thought through and designed like its exterior, and one will find a wealth of features in the contemporary cabin to make journeys even more pleasurable.
One of the Kuga’s special features is its mini-opening tailgate – or ‘liftgate in the liftgate’ – an innovative feature of the compact crossover, and provides a neat opening for the main luggage compartment to place or remove relatively small items without opening the entire tailgate.
Another uniqueness is the auto-dimming rear-view mirror that detects any glare from car lights behind, and automatically reduces the brightness, thus preventing one from being distracted or dazzled by other vehicles, which obviously makes night-time driving easier and safer.
It also features the best-in-class, on-road driving dynamics, thanks to its control blade independent rear suspension, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre Duratec five-cylinder engine with automatic transmission.
Also featured is an intelligent AWD system that continually monitors the driving situation and reacts instantly to a change in road conditions to ensure that drivers stay in control.
Traction, on the other hand, is maintained by automatically applying power to the wheels that need it most in difficult weather and surface conditions.
The new Ford Kuga offers a com-prehensive array of in-car entertainment and infotainment features as well as systems. An audio input connection is available as standard across the range for you to plug in your MP3 player, which enables you to listen to your favourite tracks through the car audio system.
Coming with Ford’s award-winning Easy Fuel cap-less refuelling system as standard equipment, the Kuga also features other smart technologies.
They include an optional panoramic roof, available front and rear parking distance sensors, available Bi-Xenon HID front headlights as well as the standard ‘Ford Power’ start button (keyless start) to name a few.
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