Ford Europe Launches Kuga Hybrid With 187 HP And Up To 620 Miles Of Driving Range

Ford is launching the production of the new Kuga Hybrid, the self-charging version of the electrified SUV, at its factory in Valencia, Spain.

The new Ford Kuga Hybrid joins the Plug-In Hybrid and EcoBlue Hybrid models in the range of the company’s compact SUV.

Just like the Escape, the Kuga’s twin brother from the US, power is provided by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that’s paired to an electric motor and a liquid-cooled 1.1 kWh battery pack, offering a combined 187 HP (190 PS). The hybrid unit is paired to Ford’s power-split CVT gearbox, which is designed specifically to work with the 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and offers a simulated gear-shift action to reduce the “rubber band” effect of CVT transmissions.

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“We’ve listened hard to customers to make sure the Kuga Hybrid really delivers when it comes to driving appeal,” said Glen Goold, Kuga chief program engineer. “The simulated gear-shift function makes the SUV more engaging to drive with the familiarity of traditional ‘cog swaps’, plus the added benefit of limiting engine noise.”

The new Ford Kuga Hybrid offers a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 9.1 seconds and delivers a combined fuel economy from 48.7 mpg UK (5.4 lt/100 km) and CO2 emissions from 125 g/km WLTP. Ford says that the 54-liter fuel tank allows the Kuga Hybrid to offer a more than 30 percent greater driving range than that of the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, at up to 1,000 km (621 miles) on a single tank of fuel.

Ford has also added an exhaust gas heat exchanger system to help bring the engine more quickly up to temperature and enable pure-electric drive sooner after a cold start. The new Kuga Hybrid also offers a towing capacity of up to 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs).

The Kuga Hybrid is also the first electrified Kuga to be offered with an optional all-wheel-drive system, although the AWD option will become available only in selected markets in the European region.

Ford will offer the new Kuga Hybrid in ST Line Edition, ST Line X Edition, and Vignale variants. All models will come with the FordPass Connect modem as standard, offering Live Traffic updates and remote services via the FordPass mobile app like door lock/unlock, remote start, and Vehicle Locator.

Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen display is optional, as is a premium B&O audio system. The range of driver assistance systems includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition, Lane Centring, Active Park Assist and the new Lane-Keeping System with Blind Spot Assist.