A new Ford Puma is reportedly being readied for launch as a compact SUV rival to the Hyundai Kona, Seat Arona and Volkswagen Volkswagen T-Roc.
UPDATE: Ford has confirmed the Puma name will return as a Fiesta-sized compact SUV, releasing a single teaser image ahead of a full reveal. Read the full story here.
The car - set to be announced this week as part of a raft of new model announcements by Ford, including the unveiling of the new Kuga - is tipped to be 4.2m long, suggesting it will be based on the Ford Fiesta’s underpinnings and share engine and transmission options with that car.
As such, it would sit above the Ford Ecosport but below the Ford Kuga in Ford’s range. The new Puma’s existence was first reported by analyst firm Inovev and subsequently by Autocar India. The car is tipped to be built at Ford’s plant in Craiova, Romania.
Insiders have previously indicated that Ford of Europe’s only profitable vehicles are its SUV and van ranges, highlighting why the firm would be keen to expand the former line-up.
The Puma was originally launched as a Fiesta-based coupé in 1997 and remained on sale until 2002. In higher states of tune, and most notably as the Racing Puma, it was a highly regarded sports car, and its fanbase was enhanced by its use in the Junior World Rally Championship for drivers aspiring to follow the career of Colin McRae, who was a factory Ford driver for much of that period.
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Used car buying guide: Ford Puma
Used car buying guide: Ford Racing Puma
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Who actually churns out this
Who actually churns out this rubbish? Suggesting that (yet another) SUV is going to replace an entirely different car seems to be all the rage: Citroen reckon the DS3 replacement is the DS3 Crossback and Alfa are saying the next Mito will be an SUV. They are nothing to do with the original models, and all they do is take away further models that younger buyers would want. Motoring journalists should have more respect for their readers than to pass on this guff unchallenged.
catnip wrote:
Surely it is the job of the MJ to report on things and not to challenge their validity, not least because that very item of news can only be commented on subjectively?. Respect for readers is in no way a factor when presenting news from third parties, therefore it is not in the gift of the MJ to alter.
No. Just no. The puma was a
No. Just no. The puma was a classic wee car, that should not be ruined by the craze of SUVs.
Do we need any more?
I wouldn't mind so much if SUVs lived up to the name, but most are neither sporting nor utility.
LP in Brighton wrote:
They are vehicles though :D