No jokes about this name in KZN’s cougar capital please. The Kuga crossover is for the serious family with teens. ALWYN VILJOEN polished her - sorry - ITS headlights.
A local in the know, who went to last year’s bi-annual motor show in Johannesburg, added the name, saying: “Ja, it is the Kuga.”
“Cougar?” asked I. “No”, he said. “With a kay,” and explained “its Ford’s contender in the all-wheel-drive crossover segment.”
More than half a dozen people in the capital have already ordered one. Which was why, when I popped into Ford to test drive it, the sign that greeted me read “sorry, I’m sold”.
“We have had a lot of interest since displaying it last year,” confirmed Bradley Pridmore, sales manager at Barloworld Armstrong in Pietermaritzburg.
“It is a premium-priced vehicle, and people are impressed with the space and finishing.”
The Kuga comes in two styles, both driven by a 2,5-litre Duratec turbo-petrol engine linked to a five- speed manual or a auto transmission.
Ford cites 147 kW at 6 000 rpm and a linear torque peak of 320 Nm from 1 600 rpm up to 4 000 rpm. Their drivers logged a combined fuel economy figure of 9,7 km per litre (10,3 l/100 km) and it emits on average 244 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
The basic Trend costs R375 000 and the Titanium R395 000. There is a back order on the Titanium. In the price, R10 517 is just the new gas emissions tax and VAT.
Ford says its Kuga “is characterised by its bold styling” but to my mind, the Kuga is merely good looking in an understated way — much like a 30-something lady with a lot of joie de vivre.
Ford marketing manager, Gavin Golightly, said: “The Kuga is not just a pretty face, though.”
Like the life of most 30-somethings, the interior of the Kuga is aimed squarely at the successful family whose life revolves around teens. A 12-volt socket in the back of the central armrest can power the digital devices sprouting permanently from teenage fingertips and there is enough space for two sets of gangly knees and elbows.
Golightly said: “Styling is a key consideration in many customers’ buying decision, but ultimately they require a vehicle that caters to their day-to-day activities. The versatility and practicality of the Kuga makes it an attractive option for people on the go.
What this translates to in real life is a power-start button, cruise control, Bluetooth with voice control functionality, full leather trim with six-way power driver seat. Heated front seats, power windows and heated, powered door mirrors are available as standard features.
The Titanium adds rain-sensitive wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, two-channel climate control (which Ford likes to call DEATC) and rear parking sensors. Additional features are green-tinted privacy glass, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a panoramic glass roof.
Ford’s AWD system turns the Kuga into a rear-wheel-drive on demand with what Ford says is “passenger car-like handling”.
“Ford prides itself on creating dynamic and fun-to-drive vehicles, and the Kuga is no different.
Engineers focused on ensuring that the Kuga offers a rewarding drive on road while still being able to rough it when conditions demand,” adds Golightly.
A split tailgate with separate access to either the upper tailgate section only or both sections simultaneously ensures maximum flexibility.
The second row of seats have underseat trays and a tonneau cover hides the rear contents from smash and grab artists. Disc brakes all-round gives the Kuga assured braking performance at all times.
All model and drive types feature standard anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and electronic stability programme with anti-roll over mitigation and electronic brake assist.
The numbers
Auto R375 000
Kuga 2,5 Turbo Titanium AWD Auto R395 000
Service intervals 20 000 km.
A comprehensive four-year/ 120 000 km warranty, a four-year/ 80 000 km service plan and a three-year/unlimited km roadside assistance plan included.
