Ford is full throttle – power

" Ford – the do something," it was said earlier. "Ford Go Further", it means today. And under this Slogan, the manufacturers presented in Amsterdam a glimpse of the products that are to be expected in the coming years. Electrification is the key word, across the wide range of models. Ford may be a little late with this, but actually do something.

Created for families

there are Currently two important trends in the car market: SUVs are booming, and electric cars are properly pushed. Who wants to be in the position, you must both be able to offer. On the subject of SUV Ford big plays. First, the two new models, coming soon to the market: in the autumn of the new Explorer, and then, slightly later, the new Generation of the Kuga. In addition, there will be an SUV variant based on the small car Fiesta.

This new Crossover is called the Puma, just like the unsuccessful sports coupe that was built between 1997 and 2001. Stuart Rowley, President of Ford of Europe, is fuelling high expectations: "We have done with the new Puma everything possible so that our customers can drive the best car you have ever owned – with a stunning Design and maximum flexibility." For the drive with a 1-Liter 3-cylinder turbo engine with 48-Volt mild hybrid system, the market introduction is planned by the beginning of 2020.

That Ford will reactivate the Puma as an SUV, is a Surprise; that the Cologne now also the Explorer to Europe, also. The top seller from the USA is 5.05 metres in length, at the upper end of the Acceptable for the local road conditions, but offers seven fully-fledged seats, a huge trunk with up to 2274 liters of volume and a towing capacity of up to 2.5 tonnes of load.

The Explorer comes across as pretty handsome and it has a huge trunk. Photo: PD

"The new Explorer is needed for families with large space and a penchant for adventure. That's why it was so important for us, that he can draw with his Plug-in-Hybrid-drive anything from a horse trailer up to the boat trailer," says chief engineer Matthias Tonn. "Therefore, we have chosen a parallel hybrid system, in which the performance of the two engines can add up." A combination of 3-Liter V6 petrol engine and electric motor generates a power output of 450 horsepower and ensures brilliant fuel consumption values, at least in the WLTP-method of measurement: 3.4 liters on 100 kilometers to create the all-wheel-driven colossus, the purely electric range is in accordance with the manufacturer 40 kilometers.

16 electric models

A well-known in Europe, the Kuga is. The Compact SUV comes in 2020, the third Generation on the market, and not only with Diesel or petrol engines, but also in the three hybrid variants. "A single technology will meet all demands, there are for the electrification of mobility, because the requirements are too different," says Joerg Beyer, Director of product development. Therefore, we have developed this "nuanced powertrain strategy". The spectrum ranges from a Diesel-mild hybrid (48 V) with timing belt-Starter-Generator and a full hybrid with 2.5-Liter petrol engine that is offered with all-wheel drive, up to economical Plug-in Hybrid model, the consumption under the WLTP measurement is 1.2 liters of petrol on 100 kilometers and 50 kilometers purely electrically.

Speaking of electric: Ford has unveiled at the event in Amsterdam 16-electrified models, of which 8 later this year will come to the market. The mild-hybrid variants (48 volts), the Fiesta and Focus, the above-described Hybrid versions of the Explorer, Kuga and Puma, but also the full hybrid variant of the Mondeo estate.

In addition, Ford will materialize in the sector of light commercial vehicles "electrical": for example, with the Tourneo Custom as the innovative Plug-in Hybrid, in which the drive is effected exclusively via the electric motor and a small gasoline motor is used only as a Generator. Or with the battery-electric version of the legendary Transit, which will come in two years on the market and especially in an urban environment, delivery can be used.

Inspiration Mustang

Ford, it seems, is well positioned for the future. The electrification of the model range does not have to be boring, the producers also on the basis of a for the time being, only the literal announcement: As a special treat, will be presented soon in a purely electric-powered SUV, the Design of "to be inspired by the Mustang". It must be securely clamped.

the visit at The "Go Further"Event in Amsterdam at the invitation of Ford Switzerland.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 22.04.2019, 22:23 PM