Following the Edge ST and Explorer ST, Ford continues the ST-ification of its SUV lineup with the Puma ST.
Unveiled earlier this year as a Europe-exclusive model, the Ford Puma subcompact crossover features a sporty, athletic design that would suit a performance ST version quite well.
While Ford hasn’t confirmed a Puma ST yet, it admitted to considering such a model. As it turns out, work on the Puma ST is already underway as our photographers have spotted a camouflaged prototype entering Ford’s test center at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Although fully wrapped, the Puma ST prototype features the final production bodywork which features a deeper front spoiler, bigger wheels and brakes, black wheel arches, a roof spoiler that looks slightly bigger than on the regular Puma, and twin exhaust pipes. It looks quite similar to the Puma ST-Line though the grille will probably feature a different mesh trim — the one fitted to this prototype is clearly provisional.
Also read: Ford Europe Talks New Puma Design, And We’re All Eyes – And Ears
Expect the Puma ST to source the powertrain from its platform sibling, the Fiesta ST hot hatch. That’s a 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 200 PS (197 hp), mated to a six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.
Performance should be close to the Fiesta ST which accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The slightly heavier Puma ST should cover the same sprint in just under 7 seconds. Expect Ford to lift the wraps off the Puma ST next year.
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