Performance and economy for new Ford Kuga engines

The successful Ford Kuga strengthens its reputation as a leading vehicle in its class with exciting new powertrain options designed to boost performance, improve fuel economy and reduce CO₂. Coupled with a new 'Individual' trim, Ford Kuga continues to combine striking design with rewarding driving quality.

The new powertrain combinations include a powerful new 163PS version of the 2.0-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, a new 140PS version of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine (previously 136PS) and availability of the advanced Ford PowerShift six-speed  dual-clutch automatic gearbox for the popular all-wheel-drive models.

Gill Palmer, Kuga product manager, Ford of Britain, said:  "The Ford Kuga has been a huge hit with our retail customers and these powertrain upgrades will only help strengthen its appeal.  Kuga is recognised for its attractive styling and the new luxury 'Individual' trim is ideal for those customers wanting to make the ultimate image statement."

Ford Kuga brought new levels of fuel economy and CO₂ emissions to the small 4x4 segment at launch and these new models continue that tradition. The two-wheel-drive (2WD) Kuga fitted with the new 140PS version of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine achieves a CO₂ output of just 156g/km, while the 140PS and 163PS all-wheel-drive (AWD) models with manual transmission deliver 159g/km, a six per cent reduction compared with the previous 136PS engine.

The Kuga also benefits now from the efficiency advantages delivered by the Ford PowerShift gearbox.  CO₂ emissions for the 140PS and 163PS AWD diesel automatic models are 179g/km.

These powertrain combinations have been tuned carefully to complement the Kuga’s highly effective intelligent AWD system, which provides outstanding handling and traction, while keeping fuel consumption to a minimum.

For drivers requiring even greater performance, the updated Kuga range continues to offer the 200PS 2.5-litre Duratec petrol engine with the choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.

Dressed to impress

While customers will appreciate the performance and economy improvements in the latest Kuga, its distinctive 'kinetic design' exterior and interior styling can be enhanced with the ultimate Ford 'Individual' trims available on the Titanium series including:

–       Unique 'Individual' Front Grille

–       Body Coloured Side Skirts and Wheel Arches

–       19" Alloy Wheels

–       Roof Rails

–       Privacy Glass

–       Premium Ebony Leather, Scuff Plates and Floor Mats with 'Individual' Logo

–       Aluminium Pedals (manual transmission only)

–       High Gloss Black trim

New 163PS Duratorq TDCi diesel

The Ford Kuga is now available with a new 163PS 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine which delivers improved low-end response, increased power and superior refinement along with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

With 20 per cent more peak power, the new 163PS engine with manual transmission provides significantly improved performance in the Kuga, with top speed increased from 112 to 121 mph and acceleration time from 0-62 mph cut from 10.7 to 9.6 seconds.

For daily driving, however, there is a broader spread of torque (with the maximum of 340 Nm delivered between 2,000 and 3,250rpm) and much stronger responses below  2,000 rpm (with over 250Nm produced at just 1,250rpm). The improved pulling power is reflected in the fourth gear acceleration time between 31 and 62mph which has reduced from 9.4 to 8.1 secs.

More economical, cleaner and quieter

The 163PS Duratorq TDCi Kuga achieves a combined fuel consumption of 47.1mpg*, a six per cent improvement despite the new model’s power and torque advantages.

CO₂ emissions are reduced to 159g/km (from 169g/km), while the new engine also meets the latest European Stage V emissions standards. A diesel particulate filter – designed to require no maintenance for the life of the vehicle – is fitted as standard.

The new engine delivers reduced overall noise levels and a sound quality at idle which approaches that of the latest petrol engines. This was achieved through careful design optimisation and calibration of the combustion process, fuel injection system and engine structure, additional guide vanes and noise dampers in the intake system to manage sound from the turbo, and acoustic treatment on the engine heat shield and top cover to reduce radiated noise.

Overall vehicle refinement is further enhanced through the use of an acoustic windscreen to reduce wind noise, and an improved sound deadening package within the cabin and luggage compartment to lower the levels of road noise.

New 140PS TDCi also available with two-wheel-drive

The updated Kuga range also features a 140PS derivative of the new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, which benefits from the same enhancements to low-end responsiveness, fuel economy, emissions and refinement delivered by the larger 163PS version. The 140PS engine replaces the prior 136PS Duratorq TDCi diesel in the Kuga line-up.

For Kuga customers who do not need AWD capability, the 140PS TDCi engine is also available with 2WD. The 140PS 2WD model achieves a CO₂ output of just 156g/km.

PowerShift dual-clutch automatic

Kuga AWD models with both the 140PS and 163PS versions of the new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine can be specified with the advanced Ford PowerShift six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Ford PowerShift combines the efficiency, optimised gear ratios and driving enjoyment of a manual gearbox with the smoothness and ease-of-use of a conventional automatic. The transmission’s efficiency helps the two Kuga TDCi PowerShift models achieve leading fuel economy and CO₂ emissions for automatic vehicles, with combined fuel consumption of 41.5mpg* and a CO₂ output of 179g/km.

In the Kuga, the transmission has three modes.  It can be operated like a traditional automatic, with a normal gear lever in the centre console featuring the typical P, R, N and D settings. Once in D (Drive), the gear lever can then be moved into a parallel gate to the right, activating a more responsive sports shift schedule and enabling the driver to make swift and smooth manual changes by moving the lever forwards (to change down) or backwards (to change up).

Ford PowerShift gear ratios are optimised for fuel economy and the transmission has a number of intelligent functions such as hill hold and roll-back prevention, load detection (giving later upshifts with a trailer), downhill detection (allowing the use of engine braking), and corner detection (avoiding shifts when cornering).

The updated Kuga range is on sale from £20,495 (effective 2 August 2010).