Ford Kuga Achieves 5-Star Rating in Euro NCAP Safety Tests

In the latest phase of Euro NCAP safety tests Ford’s all-new Ford Kuga crossover was awarded with the maximum five stars for adult occupant protection, four stars for child occupant protection and three stars for pedestrian protection. According to Ford, these results place the compact crossover at the top of the table in the Euro NCAP Small Off-road 4x4 group. -Details and pics after the jump

EURO NCAP COMMENTS:

Front impact

The passenger compartment remained stable in the impact. However, there was insufficient pressure in the driver's airbag to prevent the head from bottoming it out and contacting the steering wheel. The knees and femurs of the front seat passengers were well protected. Ford showed that a similar level of protection would be provided for occupants of different sizes or those sat in different positions.

Side impact

The Kuga scored maximum points for its performance in the side impact and pole tests.

Child-protection

Based on dummy responses in the dynamic tests, the Kuga scored maximum points for its protection of the 1½ year dummy. A switch can be fitted by Ford dealers which allows the passenger airbag to be disabled. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. There was no clear warning of the dangers associated with using a rearward facing child restraint in the front passenger seat without first disabling the airbag. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection

The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet was rated as predominantly poor, as was the protection offered to the head of a struck adult by the bonnet surface.

Ford Kuga Update: New Image Gallery

FoMoCo has just released a new image gallery of its 2009 Kuga Crossover that was unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. As you probably already know, the Kuga won’t be coming towards our shores, which is pretty lame if you think about the free-fall of full-size trucks and the increasing popularity of compact crossovers in the U.S. market.

In Europe, the Ford Focus (Euro-model) based Kuga will go on sale this summer where it will be initially available with a 136Hp 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine that’s good enough to offer an average fuel consumption of 6.3 lt / 100 km or 37.3 MPG to the front-wheel-drive version and 6.4 lt / 100 km or 36.7 MPG to the all-wheel-drive variant. -Click through for the image gallery

First Ford Kuga Rolls Off Production Line

Just about a week before the Ford Kuga makes its public debut in Geneva, and the first model rolled off from the production line at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. The company plans to build around 45,000 examples of its new compact SUV/Crossover in Saarlouis this year which is equivalent to about 10 per cent of the plant's annual production volume. With the introduction of the Kuga, Saarlouis now manufactures for the first time three different model series at the same time – Focus, C-MAX and Kuga. Sales of the Kuga will begin across Europe in the summer. -More pics after the jump

First Ford Kuga Rolls Off Production Line

Just about a week before the Ford Kuga makes its public debut in Geneva, and the first model rolled off from the production line at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. The company plans to build around 45,000 examples of its new compact SUV/Crossover in Saarlouis this year which is equivalent to about 10 per cent of the plant's annual production volume. With the introduction of the Kuga, Saarlouis now manufactures for the first time three different model series at the same time – Focus, C-MAX and Kuga. Sales of the Kuga will begin across Europe in the summer. -More pics after the jump

First Ford Kuga Rolls Off Production Line

Just about a week before the Ford Kuga makes its public debut in Geneva, and the first model rolled off from the production line at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. The company plans to build around 45,000 examples of its new compact SUV/Crossover in Saarlouis this year which is equivalent to about 10 per cent of the plant's annual production volume. With the introduction of the Kuga, Saarlouis now manufactures for the first time three different model series at the same time – Focus, C-MAX and Kuga. Sales of the Kuga will begin across Europe in the summer. -More pics after the jump

First Ford Kuga Rolls Off Production Line

Just about a week before the Ford Kuga makes its public debut in Geneva, and the first model rolled off from the production line at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. The company plans to build around 45,000 examples of its new compact SUV/Crossover in Saarlouis this year which is equivalent to about 10 per cent of the plant's annual production volume. With the introduction of the Kuga, Saarlouis now manufactures for the first time three different model series at the same time – Focus, C-MAX and Kuga. Sales of the Kuga will begin across Europe in the summer. -More pics after the jump

First Ford Kuga Rolls Off Production Line

Just about a week before the Ford Kuga makes its public debut in Geneva, and the first model rolled off from the production line at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. The company plans to build around 45,000 examples of its new compact SUV/Crossover in Saarlouis this year which is equivalent to about 10 per cent of the plant's annual production volume. With the introduction of the Kuga, Saarlouis now manufactures for the first time three different model series at the same time – Focus, C-MAX and Kuga. Sales of the Kuga will begin across Europe in the summer. -More pics after the jump

Ford Announces UK Pricing on the Kuga Crossover - Begins at $40k!

Even though the Kuga (details here) will be officially revealed at the Geneva Show with sales commencing in Europe this June, Ford UK announced pricing today for the company’s newest offering in the crossover segment. Initially, the Kuga will be offered solely with a 136 HP 2.0-liter turbo-diesel unit combined with a six-speed manual transmission.

There will be two specifications - Zetec and Titanium, both of which will come with standard All-Wheel-Drive system. Prices are set at £20,495 (that’s $40k or €27,400) for the Zetec and £22,495 ($44,100 or €30,070) for the Titanium. Of course, that may sound a lot to American buyers, but don't forget, in the UK and Europe in general, cars are heavily taxed. -Continued

Standard features of the Kuga Crossover include - keyless start, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Ford Easy fuel, Thatcham category 1 alarm and MP3 connector.

Titanium adds rain sensing wipers, blue tinted glass, partial leather trim, cruise control, automatic headlights and dual electronic air temperature control. Additional premium options available include, rear facing camera, panoramic roof, USB connectivity and DAB radio.

Ford Announces UK Pricing on the Kuga Crossover - Begins at $40k!

Even though the Kuga (details here) will be officially revealed at the Geneva Show with sales commencing in Europe this June, Ford UK announced pricing today for the company’s newest offering in the crossover segment. Initially, the Kuga will be offered solely with a 136 HP 2.0-liter turbo-diesel unit combined with a six-speed manual transmission.

There will be two specifications - Zetec and Titanium, both of which will come with standard All-Wheel-Drive system. Prices are set at £20,495 (that’s $40k or €27,400) for the Zetec and £22,495 ($44,100 or €30,070) for the Titanium. Of course, that may sound a lot to American buyers, but don't forget, in the UK and Europe in general, cars are heavily taxed. -Continued

Standard features of the Kuga Crossover include - keyless start, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Ford Easy fuel, Thatcham category 1 alarm and MP3 connector.

Titanium adds rain sensing wipers, blue tinted glass, partial leather trim, cruise control, automatic headlights and dual electronic air temperature control. Additional premium options available include, rear facing camera, panoramic roof, USB connectivity and DAB radio.

Ford Announces UK Pricing on the Kuga Crossover - Begins at $40k!

Even though the Kuga (details here) will be officially revealed at the Geneva Show with sales commencing in Europe this June, Ford UK announced pricing today for the company’s newest offering in the crossover segment. Initially, the Kuga will be offered solely with a 136 HP 2.0-liter turbo-diesel unit combined with a six-speed manual transmission.

There will be two specifications - Zetec and Titanium, both of which will come with standard All-Wheel-Drive system. Prices are set at £20,495 (that’s $40k or €27,400) for the Zetec and £22,495 ($44,100 or €30,070) for the Titanium. Of course, that may sound a lot to American buyers, but don't forget, in the UK and Europe in general, cars are heavily taxed. -Continued

Standard features of the Kuga Crossover include - keyless start, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Ford Easy fuel, Thatcham category 1 alarm and MP3 connector.

Titanium adds rain sensing wipers, blue tinted glass, partial leather trim, cruise control, automatic headlights and dual electronic air temperature control. Additional premium options available include, rear facing camera, panoramic roof, USB connectivity and DAB radio.

Ford Announces UK Pricing on the Kuga Crossover - Begins at $40k!

Even though the Kuga (details here) will be officially revealed at the Geneva Show with sales commencing in Europe this June, Ford UK announced pricing today for the company’s newest offering in the crossover segment. Initially, the Kuga will be offered solely with a 136 HP 2.0-liter turbo-diesel unit combined with a six-speed manual transmission.

There will be two specifications - Zetec and Titanium, both of which will come with standard All-Wheel-Drive system. Prices are set at £20,495 (that’s $40k or €27,400) for the Zetec and £22,495 ($44,100 or €30,070) for the Titanium. Of course, that may sound a lot to American buyers, but don't forget, in the UK and Europe in general, cars are heavily taxed. -Continued

Standard features of the Kuga Crossover include - keyless start, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Ford Easy fuel, Thatcham category 1 alarm and MP3 connector.

Titanium adds rain sensing wipers, blue tinted glass, partial leather trim, cruise control, automatic headlights and dual electronic air temperature control. Additional premium options available include, rear facing camera, panoramic roof, USB connectivity and DAB radio.

Ford Announces UK Pricing on the Kuga Crossover - Begins at $40k!

Even though the Kuga (details here) will be officially revealed at the Geneva Show with sales commencing in Europe this June, Ford UK announced pricing today for the company’s newest offering in the crossover segment. Initially, the Kuga will be offered solely with a 136 HP 2.0-liter turbo-diesel unit combined with a six-speed manual transmission.

There will be two specifications - Zetec and Titanium, both of which will come with standard All-Wheel-Drive system. Prices are set at £20,495 (that’s $40k or €27,400) for the Zetec and £22,495 ($44,100 or €30,070) for the Titanium. Of course, that may sound a lot to American buyers, but don't forget, in the UK and Europe in general, cars are heavily taxed. -Continued

Standard features of the Kuga Crossover include - keyless start, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Ford Easy fuel, Thatcham category 1 alarm and MP3 connector.

Titanium adds rain sensing wipers, blue tinted glass, partial leather trim, cruise control, automatic headlights and dual electronic air temperature control. Additional premium options available include, rear facing camera, panoramic roof, USB connectivity and DAB radio.

Ford Kuga Crossover: New Images from Switzerland

Ford has released four new images of the 2009 Kuga crossover photographed somewhere in the Swiss Alps without however giving any additional information. In one of the images, the Kuga is transported over the Alps by a helicopter. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the Kuga will make its public debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in about two week’s time, maybe not. But honestly, who cares? We just wanted to share the images with you! –More pics after the jump