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Road test: Ford Puma Titanium
Ford enters the bubbling crossover segment with a new model called the Nostalgic.
The price places it at the top of the group, the bold look and exceptional dynamic capabilities, set it apart
Tags
Ford
puma
Delek Motors
Crossover
Joel Schwartz
Tuesday, 09 March 2021, 08:05 Updated: 08:14
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Big eyes and an open mouth were also part of the original Puma, as was the case this time with a bubbly and daring design (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
The original Ford Puma, a small coupe based on the Fiesta (Photo: Manufacturer's website)
In recent decades, several crises have befallen Ford.
If we try to tie them all together to get some insight, then it can be said that Ford has experienced an age crisis.
In her case, the 118-year-old crisis is an advanced and deeper type of 40-year-old crisis.
Her cars became balloon-looking, the materials too simple, and the general feeling obtained from most cars was of flightless basics - the fruit of the production of a fat and seven brand.
There were (and are) exceptions, mostly cars and versions that sat on the edges, but the center of the stage became too routine, lackluster or anything else that would bring back lost customers to hungrier brands.
Ford took it upon itself a few years ago and tried to get out of the situation, but various crises slowed down its steps that started late and made it difficult to keep up.
Until about two years ago.
In a power show, Ford broke out with an electric statement and a new direction.
This included the Mustang Mach-E at the top end and on the other side electric transit models.
To show the world that she no longer intends to walk between the drops, the design has also taken a direction.
Ford came in and with a colonoscopy camera went as far as her DNA sequence, realized that there was a difference between the European and American arms, and came out with one clear conclusion: "We are dynamic."
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To the full article
In some places the curved lines allude to the same original cougar (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
The first swallow for the new conception was the third generation of the Kouga.
The marketing of the crossover in Europe began in mid-2019 and was scheduled to arrive in Israel in April 2020, with the start of production of the automatic version and the production of the PHEV (plug-in hybrid) version.
But then the corona virus devoured the world, disrupting both production and marketing plans in Israel (among other things because Ford must keep every hybrid model and less polluting within the European market, to lower average pollutant emissions and avoid fines).
A second swallow was a cougar.
First generation model crossover design, and second generation model name that was created between 1997 and 2002 as a cute coupe version of the Fiesta.
Puma is not produced in PHEV versions, but only in hybrid-light and of course in petrol and diesel versions.
So there was no need for a drastic change in the marketing plans in Israel that were originally intended for the end of 2020.
Extroverted and prominent, this is what is going on today in this segment (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
From the brand message to the trunk
Puma took the test with a 'titanium' finish level (the most basic of the 3 finish levels offered in Israel) and in black.
Personally I think black is more suitable for coffee and less for a car, and if already in a car then it must have a respectable marker: say Explorer and up.
But it's just me.
Even through the less flattering color, one can notice the rounded and almost drop-like sculpture of a cougar, which still throws a few design winks at that original cougar-coupe.
In the driver's environment are horizontal lines for the illusion of width, and a distinct separation in the center console between the air conditioning area, and the multimedia area that also offers a nice screen in the currently accepted size of 8 inches and includes coupling to Apple and Android.
Everything looks good, solid, well-equipped, and somehow looks less exciting and stylish than the hospitality space of some of the competitors like Peugeot 2008 and Renault Capture.
Some of it has to do with the type of plastic, and some of it with the fact that controls and switches common to other Ford models can be identified, when even the computer display on the dashboard has not really changed from that of the previous Focus.
It should be remembered that this is the base level and the other levels are noticeably richer, and in relation to the competitors in the group everything is fine, and still something of the same new spirit that Ford talked about and wanted to assimilate in its models, feels like a Passover while metamorphosing.
The cabin is more conservative in appearance, and less special than the exterior.
It is identical in design to the current Fiesta that is not sold in Israel (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
Puma is based on the current Fiesta platform, which is not offered in Israel and which will not reach the importer's perception (and not only its perception). Amisrael abandons the classic super-mini category and flocks en masse in the direction of crossovers.
In this respect, Puma hits a bull.
It displays average dimensions per category and is identical for example to those of a Hyundai Kona.
This means adequate space in any direction from the front.
At the back there is enough space for the head and feet, with reasonable knee space.
The back seat is relatively short but is high enough to allow a good knee angle to create proper seating comfort.
The doors open a reasonable opening but when they close the high window line slightly filters the picture of the exterior view.
8-inch screen with coupling for Apple and Android devices (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
It is always challenging to offer useful storage compartments in a relatively small vehicle, and in this respect Ford has surpassed themselves.
Scattered around the driver are plenty of easy-to-use compartments, between the seats, at the bottom of the console, and even a relatively large glove compartment relative to the group.
But without a doubt the highlight is the trunk that features a large square socket in the floor and under the shelf that is also arranged at two heights.
In Ford it is called 'Megabox' and it is an additional space with a volume of 80 liters without a temporary replacement tire or 46 liters with the tire.
The entire space is wrapped in plastic and can be used as an airtight water bath with a drain hole when you want to get rid of liquids (think of dirty shoes from a trip), or be used to carry elongated equipment.
Smart and nice.
The seating is comfortable, and the space for two is average for the segment.
The design charges a price with a high window line (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
Motion
Puma with several propulsion units, but for now there is only one with automatic transmission, and this is the only one that arrives in Israel: turbo-gasoline, 3-cylinder 1.0 liter that produces 125 hp that is combined into an automatic transmission with dual clutch, 7 gears and front-wheel drive. Approximately provide with agile integration capability on the streets of the volume or a pleasant and relaxed cruise at Route 6 speeds. Intermediate accelerations are reasonable and it's already tied to the box.
Let's be clear, this is not the same box that was in the previous-previous focus, and caused a Ford brand image to crash.
This box is made by Getrag, which also serves the latest models of Mercedes, Renault and Nissan.
The gearbox is efficient and smooth, and like most Mina girls is calibrated for a quick flip of the gears upwards to maintain fuel consumption, and does not rush into downshifting.
Most of the time it does not interfere but when the power is needed, like bypassing or stepping on the highway the box prevents the engine from delivering what it has.
Switching to 'Sport' mode solves the problem and allows for agile mobility, including downshifting even at high rpm. The fuel consumption in the test stood at an average of 13.8 km per liter.
An excellent figure that in everyday life will be significantly better.
At Ford they call it 'MegaBox'.
An airtight bath with a drain hole, which can be used to bury the wet and dirty hiking boots, or to help move a washing machine to a new apartment (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
It’s good to see Ford went all the way with this notion of “dynamics,” and calibrated the suspensions accordingly.
Puma dives into her face, hovering merrily out of it in a way not typical of models in the segment.
The steering cooperates with the winding asphalt (though it would have been worth getting more information), and the brakes have a good bite and they complete a beautiful dynamic picture.
The truth is that the number of people looking for it in vehicles is dwindling, but it has real significance for all of us.
A dynamic vehicle is a vehicle where your chance of dodging another driver's mistake on the road in an emergency maneuver is higher.
The original Puma also had 125 horses, only today they come in a volume of one liter and three cylinders (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
Of course there is a price to pay for this arrangement in terms of ride comfort, and sharp disruptions and vicious asphalt repairs are overly noticeable.
They mostly bother more at city speeds, and less when the speed increases.
Noise isolation Overall good. Engine noise is quite muffled when road and wind noise is reasonable and overall similar to the group.
Complements the dynamic aspect, an extensive and most advanced active safety casing on the market today.
It includes all levels of finish: autonomous emergency braking that also detects pedestrians, active assistance in avoiding an obstacle, correcting deviation from the lane including guarding the center, adaptive cruise control with the option of crawling in traffic jams (including full braking and starting when the vehicle starts moving), dead space monitoring "On the sides when driving forward, rear traffic monitoring when reversing, adaptive lighting and driver fatigue monitoring.
In recent years Ford has been recruiting nostalgic names: Mach version of Mustang, Bronco, Puma.
The goal is to stimulate the next generation of customers to come, grow and grow within the brand (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
The focus is at the core
Ford chose a new strategy, and was able to highlight in Puma the core of the brand's activity.
Puma is not only dynamic looking, it is also dynamic in practice.
I love it and appreciate Ford for the direction, for the daring, for some choice that will not necessarily enchant everyone, and for walking with that direction to the end.
Puma falls into a category full of great competitors, some more spacious, some stronger, some more comfortable, but all full of compromises.
Puma also drags a charge after him, but he also brings some strong cards.
Price is not one of them.
Unlike the very attractive quote attached to the Focus versions in Israel, the Puma is located at the top and more expensive of the segment.
In the price range of NIS 128,000 for the base version being tested, NIS 134,000 for the intermediate version and up to NIS 144,000 for the senior, it stands head to head with the Skoda Kamik, Peugeot 2008 and Hyundai Kona.
But it does bring a carved and daring look that can bring a new and younger audience to one of the oldest brands in existence.
His name is Puma, but will buyers rush in?
(Photo: Keinan Cohen, Yoel Schwartz)
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On the technical side: Ford Puma "Titanium"
Engine, propulsion:
turbo-petrol, 3 cylinders, front
volume:
999 cc
Power / rpm (hp):
4,500-6,000 / 125
torque / rpm (kg):
1,400-4,500 / 17.3
Transmission:
Automatic dual clutch, 7 gears
Dimensions:
Length (cm):
418.6
Width (cm):
180.5
Height (cm):
155.0
Wheelbase (cm):
258.8
Trunk (liters):
410
Performance:
Acceleration 0-100:
10.2 seconds
Maximum speed:
187 km / h
Competitors:
Peugeot 2008, Renault Capture, Nissan Juke, Hyundai Kona, Skoda Kamik, Mazda CX-3
Price:
NIS 128,000
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