Challenging mission: testing the new Ford Puma

The crossover comes with a mild hybrid drive, but it has to deal with a heavy legacy.

Another compact crossover that is trying to find its place in the sun has already appeared on the market. Because of him, Ford decided to bring back to the market the name Puma, which was carried by a small coupe, released at the end of the last and the beginning of this century. The only thing that these two cars have in common is that they are based on the Fiesta hatchback, however, of different generations.

Such a move is clearly part of the brand's new strategy, which involves the use of old names for new models. Thus was born the Mustang E-Mach, Ford's first electric crossover, as well as the Ford Bronco, which received a revived name, but technically has nothing to do with the legendary SUV sold in the last century. Apparently, the company is betting on nostalgia for customers, and so far this has been a success.

In the case of Puma, such a move is justified, because the new crossover faces two rather difficult tasks. The first is to establish itself in one of the most controversial market segments, and the second is to quickly make those who want to buy a car of this class forget its predecessor EcoSport, the first generation of which was a failure, and the second could not fix the situation.

If you add the fact that the original Ford Puma was not very successful, then the task of the new model becomes much more difficult. However, it must be admitted that the company has done a lot. The design of the crossover is somewhat similar to the design of the Fiesta, but at the same time it has its own style. The large grille and intricate shape of the front bumper emphasize the desire of the creators of the crossover to make it stand out. Sporty rims, which can be 17, 18 or 19 inches, also help to deal with this feeling.

The interior almost completely repeats that of the Fiesta, and the equipment of the model includes the Sync3 multimedia system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Ford Pass Connect system with a Wi-Fi router for 19 devices, as well as the company's complex. active safety systems Ford CoPilot 360. However, there are some differences that should appeal to potential buyers.

Under the trunk, for example, there is an additional space of 80 liters. If the floor is removed, the height reaches 1,15 meters, which makes the place even more convenient for placing various bulky goods. This functionality is one of the main weapons of Puma, the manufacturer emphasizes. And they add that the trunk volume of 456 liters is the best in this class.

All of the above is only for the benefit of the model, but it enters the market at a time when new EU environmental standards come into force. That's why Ford is betting on a "mild" hybrid system that reduces harmful emissions. It is based on the well-known 3 liter 1,0-cylinder petrol turbo engine, working with a starter-alternator, whose task is to store energy during braking and provide an additional 50 Nm at start-up.

There are two versions of the EcoBoost Hybrid Tecnology system - with a capacity of 125 or 155 hp. Our test car had a more powerful unit and ST Line equipment level, making the car look and feel sportier. The transmission is a 6-speed manual (a 7-speed automatic is also available) and the transmission (typical of most models in this class) is front-wheel only.

The first thing that impresses is the dynamics of the car, due to the additional starter-generator. Thanks to this, a turbo hole was avoided, and fuel consumption is also quite acceptable - about 6 l / 100 km in mixed mode with one passage of Sofia from one end to the other. During the ride, you feel stiffer suspension thanks to the torsion bar rear beam, reinforced shock absorbers and optimized upper struts. With a relatively high ground clearance of 167 cm, the Puma can handle dirt roads, but we should not forget that most models in this class fall into the “parquet” category, and the Ford model is no exception.

As a plus, the new Ford Puma can be added to its rich equipment, especially when it comes to support systems and driver safety. The standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping. The latter allows the driver to even take his hands off the steering wheel (albeit for a short time), and the car to keep the lane until it finds the road with the markings not yet removed.

All this, of course, has a price - the basic version starts from BGN 43, but with a high level of equipment it reaches BGN 000. This is a considerable amount, but there are almost no cheap offers left on the market, such as those associated precisely with the new environmental standards that come into force in the EU from January 56.