Ford has introduced the Puma ST, the brand’s first compact SUV in Europe to feature its ‘Performance’ driving dynamics.
It is powered by a 200PS 1.5?litre EcoBoost engine, which delivers 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. It features the same six-speed manual transmission as the Fiesta ST. Top speed is 220 km/h.
The Puma ST has an optimised chassis with a bespoke twist-beam, anti-roll bar and damper configurations.
Ford says steering responses are 25 per cent faster and brakes 17 per cent larger than the standard Puma. Specially-developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres also help deliver the most agile Ford SUV driving experience yet.
Enhanced with sophisticated sports technologies including a unique-in-segment limited-slip differential (LSD ) option and patented force vectoring springs, the Puma ST also features selectable drive modes including ‘Sport’ mode and – for the first time on a Ford Performance vehicle – ‘Eco’ mode; providing drivers with options for a wide range of road driving scenarios. The new Puma ST also features ‘Track’ mode.
Performance enhancements and aggressive styling sit side-by side with innovative features including Local Hazard Information connected-car technology and the Ford MegaBox that provides 80 litres of storage beneath the boot floor for everyday practicality.
Puma’s sporty styling – including a sloping roofline silhouette and pronounced wheel arches – lends itself to a more extreme Puma ST design that combines form and function.
Signature ST upper and lower grilles are designed to deliver increased engine cooling capability, according to Ford.
The Puma ST offers magnetite or machined metal finishes for the standard 19-inch alloy wheels, and six available exterior body colours include ‘Agate Black’, ‘Desert Island Blue’, ‘Fantastic Red’, ‘Frozen White’, ‘Magnetic’ and an ST-exclusive ‘Mean Green’ (pictured ).
A gloss black finish for the roof, grille surrounds, side spears, door mirror caps and rear roof spoiler are all standard, making the model even easier to identify.
Before entering the updated interior, standard power-foldable door mirrors project the ST logo onto the ground when unlocking.
Inside, heated, bolstered Recaro sports seats – embossed with the ST logo and finished in grippy ‘Miko Dinamica’ material – hold driver and front passenger firmly in place. Ford Performance skid plates, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and ST gear knob also feature.
Standard features to maximise comfort and convenience include a wireless charging pad, Quickclear heated windscreen, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers and Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system – allowing drivers to control audio, navigation and connected smartphones using simple voice commands.
The system delivers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility at no extra cost and is supported by an 8-inch central touchscreen that displays the Ford Performance logo on start up. A premium B&O sound system is available as standard.
Standard FordPass Connect modem technology allows Puma ST owners to remotely control a selection of vehicle features – including Door Lock Unlock and Vehicle Locator – via the FordPass mobile app. The modem also enables cloud-connected Local Hazard Information, which can inform drivers of a hazardous situation on the road ahead, even if the incident is not visible due to a bend in the road or other vehicles.
