Test drive Ford Kuga since 2008 SUV

The long -awaited test !!!

The first European crossover of a blue oval appeared when the market for compact crossovers was already divided between the main players. But the queues lined up for many months behind the main models of the segment will force customers to look towards the available cars: and here is the time to act Ford!
The wheels became the first St. Petersburg media to ride on the new Kuga.
So far, all-wheel drive crossovers are available only with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel and a 6-speed manual gearbox. In Europe, Kuga is also sold in front -wheel drive, but in our conditions they are unlikely to take root. In principle, the non -alternativeness of the power plant can be talked without regret: the diesel engine is not only economical and insanely burdened, but and is enough for movement around the city. True, in order to maintain a quick pace, it is often necessary to act with a clutch and a gearbox lever - the lower gears instantly drive the tachometer arrow from the beginning to the end of the zone of the most efficient engine speed.
The engine starts and dies the Power button - it is located at the top of the central console next to the emergency. During our test, such a neighborhood once led to a random pressing Power in motion. Let us pay tribute to the Ford engineers: in the dynamics, pressing the button does not lead to a shutdown of the engine. Kuga is heavily cracked, but amazing! - This almost does not affect his handling. And steering, as on Focus, can be made comfortable, sports or neutral. The difference between the extreme provisions is still not as striking as it could be, but the very fact of the opportunity to intervene in the settings of the car is already pleasing.
Kuga is raised above the Earth by 195 mm, which is spared from many problems related to our roads. The driver’s landing is also high - as on a typical SUV. The only thing that brings the crossover closer to the hatchback is sports seats with amazing lateral support (included in the Titanium configuration).
An even more interesting toy in Kuga is the voice control of climate and radio. It is enough to press the button to the left of the steering wheel, as a short signal will sound, announcing the beginning of your command perception. You can start talking. True, to use this option, you need to know English at least at the school level. Of course, voice control does not fulfill anything that a person could not do in three faster, but in order to surprise friends or to exercise in pronunciation, the option is perfect. Who knows, maybe her next generation will swell/start the motor on its own and switch the programs?!
 
Text: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [May 2008]