2024 Ford Puma
Ford has launched the Puma in South Africa, introducing its vibrant SUV-inspired compact crossover to local customers. The Puma fuses an unmissable silhouette, uncompromised load space and interior comfort, along with Ford’s multiple award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine.
The Ford Puma has become a firm favourite in the compact SUV segment in Europe thanks to its charismatic styling cues, including distinctive wing-top-mounted headlamps and athletic, aerodynamic lines.
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Under the skin, the compact crossover proportions deliver a raised ride height for a confidence-enhancing driving experience, while supporting an uncompromised luggage capacity of 456 litres.
This is complemented by an extensive range of high-end features. These include a large fully digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, premium B&O sound system, lumbar massage seats, powered tailgate, sport suspension, Selectable Drive Modes and advanced driver assistance technologies (depending on model).
The Puma is available with two distinctive personalities, comprising the sporty Puma Titanium and the stylish range-topping Puma ST-Line Vignale, reflecting individual customers’ preferences.
Engine and gearbox
The 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine is common to both derivatives of the Puma. It produces 92kW of power at 6 000r/min matched to 170Nm of torque across a broad range from 1 500 to 4 500r/min.
This impressive engine incorporates Ford’s cylinder deactivation system, which automatically switches off one of the engine’s cylinders when full capacity is not needed, such as when coasting or cruising.
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The system can disengage or re-engage the cylinder in 14 milliseconds, guaranteeing a perfect balance between fuel efficiency and performance.
Auto Start-Stop is standard to further reduce running costs.
Power is delivered to the front wheels via an advanced seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which provides seamless performance allied to fast shifts for sporty driving.
The driver has access to five Selectable Drive Modes to suit the conditions, comprising Normal for everyday driving, Eco, which optimises fuel economy, Slippery for low-traction surfaces, Trail for more challenging terrain, and Sport for moments when the driver wants to exploit the impressive dynamic attributes.
The system adjusts various settings, including throttle response and steering feel, as well as gearchange behaviour. The instrument cluster also changes to reflect your chosen setting and includes a ‘quiet’ mode that displays only the most important information.
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Puma further builds on Ford’s renowned B-car architecture that uses a stiff twist-beam rear suspension, large-diameter shock absorbers, stiff suspension bushes and optimised suspension top mounts to reduce friction and enhance stiffness throughout the chassis to support superb driving dynamics.
Customers who opt for the ST-Line Vignale benefit further from a sport suspension with specially tuned springs and shock absorbers. This is enhanced by larger diameter 18-inch alloy wheels and lower-profile tyres to enhance the grip, dynamic prowess and agility offered by this exciting new model.
Pricing and warranty
- Puma Titanium: R569 900
- Puma ST-Line Vignale: R613 900
Included as standard is Ford Protect comprising a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance, and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty.
Customers have the option of purchasing service or maintenance plans up to eight years or 135 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.
