Ford Brings Back Puma As A Small Crossover, Will Go On Sale This Year

Ford’s new small crossover will be named the Puma. The moniker has thus made a comeback in the brand’s portfolio after a 17-year hiatus.

Unlike the previous Puma, which was a small coupe built between 1997 and 2002, the new one is described as an “SUV-inspired crossover” with emphasis on versatility. The automaker says it has “best-in-class luggage capacity and flexibility”, and a 456-liter (16.1 cu-ft) boot capacity.

Teased for the first time, the Fiesta-based crossover has distinctive styling cues with wing-top mounted headlights, aerodynamic lines and raised ride-height. Ford has went for an urban-like approach, as the model shown in the two official pictures has no plastic cladding. The new Ford Puma is reportedly going to be marketed alongside the existing EcoSport as a sportier alternative rather that outright replacing it.

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“Innovatively engineered and seductively styled, we thing Puma is going to really resonate with compact car customers in Europe”, said Ford of Europe’s President, Stuart Rowley. “If you want a car that can turn heads on Friday night and swallow your flat-pack furniture with ease on Saturday afternoon, then you’ve found it. We’ve gone to every length to give customers the flexibility they want, with progressive and evocative styling, so that they can drive the best-looking car they’ve ever owned.”

The 2020 Puma will use a mild-hybrid powertrain, combining the 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine with a 48-volt belt-driven integrated starter/generator and delivering up to 155 PS (153 hp / 114 kW).

Ford will kick off production of the new Puma at the Craiova plant, in Romania, in the coming months. The facility has received investments of almost €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion) since 2008. Sales of the car will commence at the end of the year, with Ford expected to make a full reveal in the summer.