Ford shows off new SUV and electrified additions

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Ford has showed off the first examples of the Puma and Escape SUVs, as well as the plug-in hybrid Transit Custom van.

Ford New Zealand has landed the first examples of its latest SUVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles in New Zealand and recently gave local media an advance look at them before they go on sale.

The all-new Escape medium SUV, Puma small SUV and Transit Custom PHEV van were on display before they go on sale in the coming months.

The Escape is based on the Focus platform and will cost between $42,990 to $55,990 for petrol models, while two plug-in hybrid versions will go for $58,990 and $64,990.

The Focus-based Escape (left) and Fiesta-based Puma (right) have been pulling in good reports overseas.

The four petrol Escapes feature a 183kW/387Nm 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic, driving either the front or all four wheels.

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The Puma is powered by a 1.0-litre triple, while the Escape gets a choice of drivetrains, including a plug-in hybrid option.

* Sunday Drive: Ford Transit Custom Sport

* Two small SUVs for Ford NZ?

Ford also showed off its new plug-in hybrid Transit Custom van.

* Ford Transit goes all-electric, might come here

* Ford Escape models and prices revealed

The PHEV Transit is a stepping stone until the fully-electric Transit that is currently in development.

The range starts at $42,990 for the FWD four-cylinder EcoBoost, with the ST-Line following for $47,990. The first of the all-wheel drive models is the $50,990 ST-Line AWD and the petrol-only tops out with the ST-Line X AWD at $55,990.

Because the batteries are all under the floor, the Transit doesn’t lose any of its cargo space.

The two PHEVs get a 2.5 litre Atkinson cycle/electric powertrain hooked up to a constantly variable transmission. Both are FWD only and have an all-electric range of around 50km from a 14.4kWh lithium ion battery.

The entry PHEV lands at $58,990, while the ST-Line X tops the Escape range at $64,990.

The Escape is highly-equipped across the range with things like a fully digital 12.3-inch dash display, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wide range of driver assists.

Switching to the C2 platform that sits under the Focus means the Escape is larger than the current model, being 44mm wider and 89mm longer, while the wheelbase has increased by 20mm.

The smaller Puma is an all-new entry to our market and is built on the smaller Fiesta platform.

Two models will be available at launch, both powered by a 92kW/170Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine hooked up to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission channelling the power through the front wheels.

The entry Puma will cost $33,990, while the up-spec ST-Line will land at $37,990.

A full suite of safety tech is standard across both models of Puma, including AEB, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, cruise control, and rear parking sensors.

The ST-Line scores a 12.3-inch digital display, 17-inch wheels, an ST-Line body kit, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel over the entry car, among other features.

Ford also revealed the new Transit Custom PHEV that packs an electric NEDC driving range of up to 56km.

While it is actually more of a range extender than a PHEV due to the fact that its front wheels are driven exclusively by a 92.9kW electric motor powered by a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with the three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine only acting as a generator to charge the battery, the Custom PHEV is something of a stopgap until the fully-electric Transit arrives.

Ford says the Transit Custom PHEV can travel around 56km on electricity only, and has a payload of more than 1000kg.

Two versions of the Custom PHEV will be offered in New Zealand with the cargo van starting the range at $89,990, while a Custom Torneo 9-seat coach will also be available for $99,990.