Kuga targets boom segment

When the new Ford Kuga arrives in Ireland at the end of May it will be targeting a market, the 'compact SUV', which was quite small in sales a relatively few years ago but in the first two months of this year sold 5,000 units. Or a fifth more than in the same two months of 2007.

It is the first Ford vehicle with AWD capability in this segment and will be aiming to take sales from Toyota's RAV 4 and Suzuki's Grand Vitara.

There will be two specification levels, Zetec and Titanium, and the only power unit at launch will be a 136hp 2.0 TDCI turbodiesel.

Prices won't be available until nearer the launch, but Ford Ireland marketing chief Denis McSweeney says it will be 'competitive' against the Toyota vehicle, and will have a price 'advantage' against the most recent entrant, the VW Tiguan.

yaris.ie

Initial expectation is that supply will dictate sales, and some 700-900 units are suggested for the total in 2009.

The Kuga has a class-leading CO2 emissions of 169 g/km, which after June 30 will reduce the VRT rating by 6 percent to 24 percent.

The Kuga will be available as a FWD or with 'on demand' 4WD. In a price range that could conceivably begin in the early 30,000 euros level, the 4WD option is expected to be only 2,000 euros more and that most buyers will spend the extra for the higher security in poor driving conditions.

A short introduction to the car today in the Andalucia region of Spain, showed us a vehicle that is of premium quality, good driving dynamics, and with a very distinctive and attractive styling.


audi.ie