Cologne, Germany — Does the new Ford Kuga spell the end of the Escape? It's not entirely likely, but the new concept car from Ford, which was on display at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, confirms that Ford Europe is working on a style-driven compact crossover model.
Along with the new Mondeo, S-Max and other contemporary passenger vehicles, Ford of Europe is becoming a real trend setter, and the new Kuga which is slated for production in early 2008 is another sign of the marque's proactive approach to new vehicle design.
Ford Europe states that the show car will be a "preview model of the production vehicle", meaning the overall design is in place, but the huge wheels, show car interior and other minor cues will be omitted from the 2008 production version.
Update: For the Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford Europe released official photographs (click here for new photos) of the new Ford Kuga. These images are of the 'preview' model being shown ahead of the production model, which will be unveiled in early 2008.
More information about the new model has come to light, including it's powertrain. The engine will be a 2.0-litre diesel engine, outputting 100kW (136hp), mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Ford has also mentioned the Kuga model range will feature 4WD and FWD systems and will have a "substantial off-road ability".
The new crossover will appeal to Toyota RAV4 customers thanks to it's modern design and as VP of marketing Stephen Odell said, the new model is the European company's first foray into an crossover vehicle.
"Kuga offers a rare blend of a wagon and SUV features together with coupé-like sporting qualities. A major element of our strategy to return the Ford of Europe business to sustained profitability is the introduction of exciting new products – like Kuga – that attract new customers to the brand," explained Mr Odell.
"The S-MAX proved to us that there is demand for vehicles which offer the customer universal usability for work, leisure and family roles and where 'driving pleasure' is also very important," said Mr Odell.
We have also learned that the new Ford Kuga will get a new Blaupunkt navigation system. Taking advantage of a 7-inch colour screen to display mapping function, the screen is also connected to a rear view camera.
John Fleming, the Ford Europe chief, said the Kuga is based on the iosis X concept, which was first seen in 2006: "With the launch of the Ford Kuga, we will keep the promise that we gave at the Paris Motor Show 2006: to develop a stylish new model based on the stunning Ford iosis X concept car in less than two years.
"I'm really excited that we are adding the Ford Kuga to our growing product range in Europe," said Fleming.
"It represents the continuation of our design-led commitment to add emotion and desirability to our cars and we expect it to bring even more new customers to the blue oval brand as we continue our product-led transformation towards sustained business success."
Based on the same design DNA as the Mondeo and S-Max, often referred to at Ford as 'kinetic design', the Kuga is being hailed as a compact and distinctive 4x4 crossover and like the S-Max could become a cult hit for the Blue Oval.
"We recognised that image-conscious customers for this kind of vehicle want a very individual car in which impressive on-road capability blends seamlessly with substantial off-road ability," said Martin Smith, who is the executive design director for Ford of Europe.
"Kuga will stand out from the crowd by offering the visual excitement of 'kinetic design'," continued Mr Smith, "and the on-road driving quality that customers of cars like the Ford Focus, the S-Max and the new Mondeo have come to expect from us."
Ford's 'fashionable' new range will be bolstered by the Kuga, which will go into production in early 2008 at one of Ford's Germany facilities (the Saarlouis plant), and as the recently released sketch indicates, will deliver a striking new design.
"Kuga is adventurous and distinctive, and we wanted to highlight this in our first official image," said Stefan Lamm, Ford's chief designer for exteriors.
"We believe that there is a role for a more athletic and charismatic vehicle that marks a departure from the norm, in the same way that the award-winning Ford S-Max carved out new territory for an MPV."
