A muscular and imposing line that however hides a compact and versatile soul, enclosed in just 4.8 meters in length. Characteristics that translate into a record-breaking stowage space and small dimensions on the outside that facilitate city use. At first glance, it seems almost an optical illusion, a bit like the one underlying the project of via Nicolò Piccolomini in Rome: in fact, walking along it as you get closer to the Dome of San Pietro, it gets smaller, while when moves away, grows across the board.
Puma looks like this: small in shape, large in substance. One of the reasons that have made it the indisputable success, but not the only one. The sustainability factor also plays to its advantage. '' We have not been the pioneers of this sector and yet the numbers prove us right, confirming, from the launch to today, the leadership of the new Ford Puma among the best-selling hybrid cars in Italy in the first half of the year, '' said the president. and CEO of Ford Italy, Fabrizio Faltoni, not hiding his enthusiasm for the milestone reached.
In fact, Puma was chosen by 8,700 Italian motorists from January to June 2020 for the advantageous conditions of use in the city (free parking, access to the Ztl, etc.). The success story of Puma - which has nothing to do with the glories of the small coupe of the past - is linked, however, also to low operating costs and an efficiency that allows, with the 125 hp EcoBoost hybrid engine, to travel on average 100 km with just over 7 liters.
Consumption that we had the opportunity to test during the dynamic test with the 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid ST Line X version of 125 hp, price 26,250 euros. The fluid and muscular design certainly did not go unnoticed on the streets of the capital: the feline-looking headlights recall those of the younger sister, the Fiesta, with whom it shares the platform. Among the strengths, the great load capacity stands out. As we have already seen in the Dusseldorf static reveal in May of last year, it is precisely the wide possibility of stowage that makes the difference.
With a minimum capacity of 456 liters, the boot is one of the largest in its category. But that's not enough: in addition to the numerous storage compartments, hidden by the boot shelf there is a 'magic box', renamed in Ford Mega-box which has a capacity of 80 additional liters. It is a watertight compartment, washable and also equipped with a drain plug: very useful, for example, for those who want to clean the puppy after a walk in the open air. Washable is not only the Mega-box but also the seat covers in fabric that close on a zip.
Another strong point is the technology: on board are available 3 radars, 2 cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors, contained in the innovative Ford Co-Pilot, for the first time on a compact crossover.
In addition, the new real-time hazard warning function (Local Hazard Information) enabled by the FordPass Connect integrated modem, capable of informing drivers of any dangerous situations along the route, has also arrived on Puma.
The EcoBoost 1.0 engine is equipped with a starter / generator (BISG) system driven by an 11.5 kW belt that replaces the standard alternator and allows the recovery and storage of energy during vehicle decelerations. Start & Stop is standard for all engines. The only flaw, the absence of the automatic transmission that would have made the difference even more in the city.