Test drive Ford Kuga since 2008 SUV

Test drive Ford Kuga 2.5 AT: with an automaton at the ready

As part of the test, the Kugs had to get through the city traffic jams, to rush through the smooth asphalt, to shake the remnants of the roads that were subjected to Finnish carpet bombardments, to almost become stuck in the sand and, finally, a fashionable kinetic column to break into the evening northern capital. In general, there were enough situations and kilometers to open the car from different sides.
The first acquaintance with Ford Kuga last year made an indelible impression on us. Stylish, pleasant in management, friendly and sincere car! The price of the price spoiled the general benevolent impression and then, before the introduction of new duties and the devaluation of the ruble, the basic value of 881,000 rubles per crossover seemed too high
 
Why, with all the positive qualities and a large number of formophiles in Russia, despite the popularity of crossovers, Kuga and a year later remains a rare occurrence on our roads?
The most important miscalculation of the KUGI was the glaring absence of an automatic transmission and a single 2.0-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 136. This is still economical Europeans can choose an economical tandem of a diesel engine and six-speed mechanics. There is no dispute: the Ford diesel diesel is quite acceptable, the checkpoint lever is clear and selective, but the results of Russian sales in the class of crossovers are unambiguously speak in favor of machine guns.
New gasoline engine
Having decided not to torment Russian consumers anymore and even more so not to joke with the market, Ford finally launched two new items on the market at once: Kuga with a 2.5-liter gasoline turbocharged engine and PAM! Kuga with the same gasoline engine, but aggregated automatic transmission. Wait!
The crossover with a new gasoline engine on MT was evaluated before the presentation of Kuga 2.5 AT. Outwardly, the car is no different from the model already familiar to us, except perhaps with a nameplate on the fifth door. But the habits of the car have become different.
 
The 200-horsepower engine showed itself excellent: magnificent dynamics, passenger acceleration, excellent and predicted return. It seems that even the suspension settings have changed: the car began to react more loyally to road waves and other features of our relief. The motor is so good that sometimes you even overestimate the sports car abilities of the KUGI, which still remains a crossover and is not ready to play the rearrangements between the rows so famously. If you do not joke with the dimensions and stability of the crossover, but use the coordinated operation of a turbocharged engine and a six -speed transmission, in the dynamics of Kugi you can get a full -fledged driver pleasure.
New automatic transmission
It was decided to arrange a presentation of a new automatic version in St. Petersburg, the second homeland of Focus, with the capture of the Leningrad region. Kugs had to get through the city traffic jams, rush through the smooth asphalt past the picturesque landscapes, shock on the remnants of roads that were subjected to Finnish carpet bombing, almost stuck in the sand and, finally, a fashionable kinetic column to break into the evening northern capital. In general, there were enough situations and kilometers to open the car from different sides.
 
Such a long -awaited lever of the automatic transmission selector appeared on the central tunnel. For this, it was worth flying more than 700 km! The transmission is new, designed for KUGI by Aisin AW and is similar to the one that is installed on Mondeo. Durashift 5-Tronic has five steps, four of them lowering. After the stipulated time time, the transmission is adapted to the driver’s driving style.
So far, the machine is offered only paired with a gasoline engine, the diesel tandem and automatic transmission are assumed, but in the future.
In places of winter war
The ability to evaluate the innovation is issued immediately upon departure from Pulkovo Airport - in a traffic jam on the cad. The motor predictably responds to touching the accelerator pedal, there is no need to manipulate a tight Kugovsky clutch, a little tired on versions with a handle, a panoramic roof offered for a crossover as a surcharge, beauty expands the space!
 
Following the Road Buka, we turn towards Vyborg, leaving the cork behind. Gas to the floor, the engine is spinning to 6,000 rpm, the motor roars in dynamics a version with AT several lags behind the mechanics - 8.8 versus 8.2 seconds to 100 km/h, respectively, does not do without minor delays when responding to the accelerator But otherwise, the work of the automatic transmission is worthy of all praise: vigorous acceleration, smooth inconspicuous switching, informative brakes.
For those who wish, the manual transmission mode is provided for more recoils, but it does not particularly change the picture.
As part of the test drive, the journalists not only looked at the new kuga, but also participated in the quest: it was necessary to solve the secret of Probst Yaakko Markol and find the figures of the angels, buried during the Soviet-Finnish war at the fence destroyed by shells of the church.
In order to get to the right place on the Vuoksa River, poor crossovers had to overcome the road dotted with deep holes, which, apparently, was not repaired since the very winter war. Despite the desperate maneuvering between the funnels, one especially insidious could not be avoided. Nevertheless, the kuga pleasantly surprised even the disk did not bent, although he had a full moral right. The suspension is quite toleinly practicing irregularities, although smoothness on gravel is lacking.
On the shore of Vuoksy Kuga, another sand test was waiting for. Going down almost to the water, at first Ford did not want to return back. Only after the stabilization system is turned off, which for a minute still needed to be found on the menu, the car, slipping and exploding the fountains of the sand around him, got up. Recall that the Kuga uses the intellectual system of the Haldex all -wheel drive.
The secret is unraveled, the figures of the angels are safely found, the sun sinks into the horizon, giving way to a bright St. Petersburg evening in the zenith of a transparent roof. Ford crossovers, having famously slipped through the even roads of the famous Komarovo, move to the city center, distracting general attention.
However, this is all lyrics, but what about the numbers?
And the numbers are somewhat lower from heaven to earth. Now the most affordable Kuga with diesel and manual transmission in the Trend configuration is offered for 1,172,400 rubles. The same equipment with a 2.5 -liter gasoline engine will cost at least 1,222,400 rubles, with an automaton - 1,262,400 rubles. Titanium packages will start from 1 197 400 1,287,400 rubles. These prices are valid until September 30 of this year, and then they can increase by 150,000 200,000 rubles.
We thank for the test drive Russian representative office Ford Motor Co.
Svetlana Aleeva
 
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Stylish design
Great ergonomics
Peppy motor
 
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Price
 
 

A source: Carclub.ru