Ford Targets Performance with Puma Mild-Hybrid
While Volkswagen is treading cautiously in terms of power output with its entry-level Golf, Ford is pumping up the power for its Puma.
Despite both cars employing a diminutive 1.0-liter three-cylinder motor, Ford’s new mild-hybrid EcoBoost unit boasts a whopping 151bhp against the Golf’s relatively puny 107bhp. That said, the German automaker’s focus on economy also fails to impress against the Ford which also claims its performance Puma’s CO2 emissions are as low as 127g/km and with gasoline consumption of 49.6mpg (41.3mpg US), both on the WLTP rating, against the Golf’s barely better 121g/km and 53.3mpg (44.3mpg US) economy.
Ford says it has invested approximately €200M ($220M) at its manufacturing facility in Craiova, Romania, to support production of Puma, taking Ford’s total investment at the plant to almost €1.5Bn ($1.65Bn) since 2008. Roelant de Waard, vice-president, marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe, said: “Customers have told us that they want a range of options to help find a combination of style, equipment, performance and efficiency that’s just right for them. That’s something we committed to delivering with Puma, and with a new Puma ST coming later this year, we’re not finished yet.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
