The Ford Kuga, a C-Max on steroids, will be flexing its muscles in showrooms from June.

To be launched with a 136ps 2.0 Duratorq TDCi with 6 speed manual gearbox, it will be joined later this year by a 200ps five-cylinder petrol derivative.
The diesels’ prices will start at £20,495 for the entry level Zetec and £22,495 for the Titanium, but no prices are yet available for the hotter petrol models, or for the automatics which will join the range at the same time.

Although closely based on the C-Max mpv and Focus, the five-seat Kuga is Ford’s first crossover model and has the looks of an elongated hatchback but the powertrain of an intelligent four-wheel-drive SUV.

Added height to the suspension gives better ground clearance and a taller silhouette, it sits on a longer wheelbase with wider track than its stablemates and boasts a dual split tailgate providing rear glass or full fifth door opening.

Individually split back seats can be folded flat to raise capacity from 410 to 1355 litres and you can order a 230v power socket for the rear passengers to run laptops or games machines.

Ford has been keen to ensure the Kuga sets class leading driving dynamics and based its suspension on the latest found under the Focus and Mondeo, but uprated for its off-road ability.

The 2.0 engine is straight from Ford’s car and mpv models and it’s matched to the familiar Durashift 6sp manual box but drive to the wheels is through a Haldex AWD system which automatically senses wheelspin and accordingly adjusts drive requirements.

Maximum power of 136ps is produced at 4,000rpm but 320Nm is available at half that speed with a further 20Nm available as overboost.  It reaches 62mph in 10.7sec and 112mph maximum with a claimed 44mpg overall. The petrol version will be quicker.

Ford of Britain will launch with two trim levels.  Zetec models get a “Ford power” starter button with keyless ignition, air conditioning and quick clear windows, easy fuel protection system, sports seats and powered windows and mirrors as well as extensive safety and stability systems.

Titanium versions get partial leather and upgraded trim, enhanced sound system, cruise control, intelligent lights, wipers and dual zone aircon.

In addition, owners can specify Appearance and Convenience packs and the full X Pack comes with full leather, panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon lights and solar reflecting windscreen. There are ten colour choices.

Ford of Britain chairman and managing director

Roelant de Waard said they expected the best selling model to be the 2.0 TDCi in Zetec specification and that 66pc would go to private buyers.

In a full year, Ford expect to sell as many as 7,000 Kugas, about 12pc of the crossover sector, and initial indications from CAP analysts suggested the model would hold 83pc of its price after 12 months and 47pc over three years, easily exceeding its closest rival.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

All the dynamic, sharp responses of the latest Focus and S-Max have been skilfully blended into the Kuga.

It looks tall but not particularly wide or long and the overhangs are short. It actually feels very agile and manoeuvrable and provides excellent sight lines to the front and sides. Over the shoulder and reversing vision is not particularly good however and parking sensors are a must.

The 2.0 engine gives good pull in mid range although it’s not quick from rest but cruises with composure and very little noise at motorway maximum.

I liked the positive gearchange, feelsome weight-selectable steering and strong brakes and a brief off-road section on the test route showed it to be very capable of tackling muddy hills and descents with small ridges or potholes sprinkled along the track.

Bad holes, off or on road, will jar the suspension, but generally it copes very well and the overall impression is of a smooth riding, low rolling and sharp handling vehicle with good room for five, a versatile loading and luggage area.

I think it will become a popular vehicle for police use and it will win over many who want the height advantage and capacity of a traditional 4x4 without the high running costs.

It will impact on competitors but also to some extent on its own stablemates as it will inevitably appeal to a wide cross-section of buyers.