Test drive Ford Kuga since 2008 SUV

Energetic kuga

Needless to say, Ford pulled for a long time with the entry into the crossover market. Perhaps all his competitors had long been offered products in this constantly warming segment. True, the Ford European division also did not sit idle, forming a luxurious passenger range without exaggeration. But at the same time, a person who has grown out, for example, of the same Focus, but not ripened to the American jeepotams, had to turn to other manufacturers. The company, of course, understood this. How they realized that the shot after such a delay should be extremely accurate.
And Ford was taken seriously for the first time at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, where the IOSIS X concept was shown. Then the head of Ford Europe John Fleming said that the production of the serial version of such a car will be established for two years. And he did not deceive. In the spring of this year, visitors to the Geneva car dealership paid tribute to the stand on which Kuga flaunted. Judging by the reaction of the automobile community and guided by his own impressions after a couple of days driving this compact crossover, Ford hit the apple.
According to the laws of Mendel
What does the monk of the Augustine monastery have to do with it, who laid the foundations of genetics one hundred and fifty years ago, you ask? Smile, reader, at least for a second are distracted from iron, and remember an venerable person named Gregor Mendel. And at the same time about the Englishman William Benton, who in 1905 introduced the term geneticist. Thanks to them, scientists have learned to modify genes and create plants with specified properties. And I remembered this because the operation carried out over the Focus (S-1) platform, which resulted in Kuga, affects the accuracy of the result. It seems that engineers with a microscope revealed all the best that was laid down in the platform, and then developed it, bringing it to the necessary forms and qualities.
But quite lyrics. Let's go according to the established order, starting with the design. So, Kuga personally seems to me the most elegant and sports compact SUV of the currently existing ones. This, we can say the quintessence of the Kinetic Design style developed by Ford and already tested on all new European model line. Kuga looks dynamic, even when it is in a stationary state. It seems that I only now finally realized what Kinetics mean in design. Developed wheeled arches, squat body, which stands on high wheels (their diameter can reach 19 inches), a powerful front air intake, a hood with two ribs, LED optics on the stern and a very successful combination of sharp lines and rounded surfaces that was forced by most drivers and Pedestrians with envy look at me in the wake. And short overhangs in front and behind, coupled with aluminum decor elements make it clear that Kuga can overcome light impassability. Even the owners of prestigious sedans folded their necks to take a closer look at the car. However, it is difficult to convey all the charm and swiftness of the appearance of Kuga with words, for which there are photographs of a decent size.
At the same time, Kuga design elements have exceptional practicality, which you do not evaluate immediately. For example, the rear door like Liftgate in Liftgate provides maximum operational flexibility and increased ease of use. Special mechanisms (just buttons outside) allow you to open only the upper section of the trunk lid or both sections at the same time. Moreover, the upper part is thrown back with a curtain installed in the standard, which facilitates the placement of small things. The volume of the compartment is 360 liters, if you fold the backs of the rear seats 1355 liters. It's time to look into the salon.
Inside Kuga, analogies with the updated Focus and S-Max minivan are clearly traced. Which does not decrease either functionality or elegance from the same instrument shield. It is easy to read the readings of the tachometer and speedometer, as well as data from a small monitor between them. The steering wheel adjustable both in height and by departure, the scales do not block during any landing, and a joystick is installed on the steering column to control the audio system. The system sounds good, especially when it comes to the Sony audio center, to which you can connect the MP3 player via a USB connector. The central console reminds of S-Max. It is decorated with aluminum and quite functional, despite the abundance of buttons and keys. It is not difficult to understand the purpose of everyone thanks to clear iconograms. Directly under the central console is the lever of the 6-speed manual manner of the only variant of the gearbox for Kuga today.
There are no complaints and to the seats. The front ones are very convenient, endowed with all possible adjustments. Naturally, to find the right landing is not to find the right landing. Behind, three places over their heads, in the shoulders and for the legs can sit behind. In the language of dry numbers, the width of the rear of the cabin at the level of the passengers shoulders is 1395 mm, and the distance from the pillow to the ceiling is 987 mm.
In addition, it is impossible not to note the presence of all sorts of large and small compartments for small luggage, as well as a completely spacious glove box. Only now, from the driver’s place to reach him far, but these are mere trifles. But it’s not at all a trifle that the quality of finishing materials is on top. The plastic is quite soft, the details of it are perfectly fitted, and the interior stylistics as a whole, despite the apparent team of the hodgepodge, perfectly corresponds to the mood that creates a dynamic exterior. And what about running qualities?
Drive bet
Ford Kuga power unit so far one turbodiesel is 2.0-liter. But what! He develops 136 hp. power and gives 320 nm torque. Since the engine with 6-speed mechanics is aggregated, and the transmission is all-wheel drive, with dynamic potential and its implementation on any coating there are no problems.
Personally, I had only a couple of accelerations and overtaking to understand Kuga a very fast car. It seems to be not impressive to hundreds of acceleration figures. But in fact, 10.7 seconds are one of the best indicators in the classroom. In addition, the diesel power unit is very elastic, despite the converged transfer numbers of the first and second steps, you can not bother yourself with frequent switching. For example, in traffic jams it is enough to move all the time on the second, and in a dense city stream in third or fourth gear. Naturally, according to a good tradition, the Ford transition from one step to another is carried out clearly and quickly, and the clutch pedal, although tougher than I would like, is very informative.
Also, I cannot but note the excellent noise and vibration isolation of the cabin. Inside the sound of the power unit is not heard at all, it makes its way inside only at high speeds, and, moreover, it does not upset at all with a picky roar. At high speeds, you immediately notice excellent aerodynamics even mirrors do not emit the whistle familiar to such machines.
It seems that Ford in the fight against competitors puts on controllability and dynamics. For example, there is a choice of three options for rather sharp steering (from the edge to the edge of the steering wheel makes only 2.7 turnover). You can’t change the settings on the go, you should definitely stop. But to be honest, in standard mode, you are unlikely to complain about something. Even when your body shifts a little in an armchair at a quick entrance to the turn, Kuga continues to go parallel to the plane of the road, without any body roll, which is not very typical for a car with a decent clearance. By transferring the settings of the steering to the SPORT position, you will receive even more feedback on the steering wheel and accuracy in management, which you will not find even other hot hatchbacks. It is even more surprising how the Ford engineers managed to achieve such controllability without excessive rigidity of the suspension. Road irregularities and grooves are swallowed without worrying passengers. And only significant pits reach the body through powerful and energy -intensive springs and shock absorbers.
A pleasant impression was made by the all -wheel drive system. It is based on the Haldex coupling electronically, which can direct to the rear axle up to 50% of the torque when necessary. In most Kuga traffic modes, the car is practically front -wheel drive (only 10% of the power goes back), which makes its character understandable and predicted. By the way, the electronics that control the distribution of the moment acts very quickly, which is why it is a real pleasure to pass turns at high speed. It seems that the demolition of the front axle is about to begin, but the unknown force will connect the rear axle and take the car, without a hint of the demolition of the stern in most cases. In a critical situation, the ESP electronic stabilization system will come to the rescue, which is standardly installed on Kuga, and powerful brake mechanisms.
Although the few real owners of Kuga will fall on the real off -road, the road clearance of 188 mm in combination with the entry angle of 21 degrees and the angle of the exit of 25 degrees means that the machine is endowed with good potential for travel.
Demand is provided
Personally, I have no doubt that Ford Kuga will be in demand in the Russian market. In the arsenal of the model, excellent running qualities, a bright exterior and a convenient salon. All this is offered at a price of 881 thousand rubles, which is not so expensive against the background of competitors that I would primarily attribute Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V, Opel Antara and Nissan Qashqai. And taking into account the usual low cost of ownership, the usual Ford car, Kuga has every chance of becoming the leader of the segment.
Yes, I almost forgot: soon a gasoline version with a 2.5-liter engine with a capacity of 200 hp will appear, which will be offered with automatic transmission.

Andrey Osipov
Photo Ford
 

Source: Magazine Automobile Izvestia [July 2008]