2012 Ford Kuga

The all new 2012 Ford Kuga is the replacement for its first version which went on sale here in 2008. Ford says it has a winning formula in Kuga by being better to drive, more practical, larger and fitted with more technology as standard than its rivals.

The new Kuga shares a platform with the new Focus; hence it is fitted with Ford’s Torque Vectoring Control system which encourages power to the front wheel with the most grip by braking the slipping wheel.

Three engines will be on sale at launch in early 2013; 138bhp and 161bhp 2.0 diesels and a 148bhp 1.6-litre Ecoboost petrol. The diesels will be available with the option of Ford’s Powershift automatic gearbox. The new Kuga is around 100mm longer than the outgoing model, which has opened up more rear passenger space and allowed for boot space to grow to 442 litres, 82 more than the current model. Kuga technology highlights include a boot that can be opened or closed when someone waves their foot under its rear bumper, and rear seats that fold flat at the touch of a button.

The first Kuga will be arriving in UK in early 2013 and will be priced similarly to the outgoing model which starts at £21,645.