Currently reading: Hot new Ford Puma ST confirmed for 24 September unveiling

Performance version of compact SUV is expected to share 197bhp turbo three-pot with Fiesta ST

Ford has confirmed that a hot ST version of its new Ford Puma crossover will be unwrapped on 24 September.

A preview video (below) confirms the Hyundai Kona N rival’s performance-inspired bodywork will bear a strong resemblance to recently spotted prototypes of the model. A short clip of its engine note at the end of the video sounds similar to the Fiesta ST's turbocharged three-cylinder motor.

 

 

The Puma ST will be largely told apart from the standard car with a subtle bespoke bodykit and wheels shared with the Fiesta ST, from which it will likely take its powertrain. 

This 1.5-cylinder three-cylinder engine puts out 197bhp and 214lb ft, enough to send the hot supermini from 0-62mph in 6.7sec and on to a top speed of 144mph. The larger, higher-riding Puma will likely make some slight performance sacrifices. 

2020 Ford Puma ST: hot crossover seen without disguise

Prototypes seen lapping the Nürburgring sported a prominent lower bodykit that extended around the car from a splitter-style front bumper to a new rear bumper that houses twin tailpipes. 

Additional upgrades look to include lower, stiffer suspension and bigger brake discs, while an optional limited-slip differential, selectable driving modes and a launch control function will likely be available. 

The Puma is the third model in Ford’s European line-up to receive an ST version and the brand’s first hot SUV to launch here. It will take on the similarly conceived Hyundai Kona N and Hyundai HR-V in the developing performance compact SUV segment.

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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scotty5 2 May 2020

Is it Korean or Japanese?

It will take on the similarly conceived Hyundai HR-V? 

Peter Cavellini 1 May 2020

Expected?

 Yes, more a case of when , I do hope it's a jaw dropper.

Takeitslowly 1 May 2020

 

 

 Yes, more a case of when , I do hope it's a jaw dropper.

 

Expected?...Ford has CONFIRMED, CONFIRMED, CONFIRMED...you pose the question?. Can you not understand, the article has ALREADY laid out the premise of the content.

 

You won't care if it's a jaw dropper or not, you won't buy it because...umm...let's see...the founder of FoMoCo was named Henry. In the context of a small warm SUV, what criteria must be met for it to be deemed a jaw dropper...answer before the car is known to us...if you can?.

Peter Cavellini 1 May 2020

Dear dear.

Takeitslowly wrote:

more the time it took them to show us what it could look like?, I thought that was obvious.

 

 Yes, more a case of when , I do hope it's a jaw dropper.

 

Expected?...Ford has CONFIRMED, CONFIRMED, CONFIRMED...you pose the question?. Can you not understand, the article has ALREADY laid out the premise of the content.

 

You won't care if it's a jaw dropper or not, you won't buy it because...umm...let's see...the founder of FoMoCo was named Henry. In the context of a small warm SUV, what criteria must be met for it to be deemed a jaw dropper...answer before the car is known to us...if you can?.