Vienna (ots) – Ford today unveiled the new Puma ST Powershift. This particularly dynamic equipment variant has the most powerful version of the multi-award-winning 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine, which now has an output of up to 125 kW (170 hp) and mobilizes a maximum torque of 248 Newton meters. Combined with its comfort, its uncompromising interior and innovative practical solutions such as the Ford MegaBox, the compact SUV offers a sporty driving experience – with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. And all this with a fuel consumption of just 6.3 l/100 km (combined) and CO2 emissions of 144 g/km (combined). The electrified powertrain of the new Puma ST Powershift consists of the 1.0 liter EcoBoost three-cylinder petrol engine including further developed 48-volt mild hybrid technology and an automated 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for seamless, energetic gear changes.
- Ford introduces new Puma ST Powershift. The particularly sporty equipment variant of the popular compact SUV impresses, among other things, with the most powerful version of the multi-award-winning 1.0 liter EcoBoost petrol engine
- The mild hybrid powertrain developed by Ford Performance combines a powerful engine output of up to 125 kW (170 hp) with an automated 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for energetic, seamless shifts
- The features of the new Puma ST Powershift include its sports chassis and its high-quality equipment. The vehicle debuts the Azura Blue exterior color designed exclusively for ST models
At Ford, the abbreviation ST stands for Sports Technologies. The new Puma ST Powershift shares optimized chassis components with the 1.5 liter EcoBoost Puma ST introduced in 2020, including patented force vectoring springs, which better absorb cornering forces and thus effectively reduce the vehicle’s body roll.
“The Ford Performance team used all of its development experience to offer the characteristic driving pleasure of a typical ST model without sacrificing the practicality of our compact SUV. We use the 48-volt mild hybrid technology not only for not only to increase efficiency, but also to increase power and torque,” says Stefan Munzinger, Ford Performance Manager, Europe. “The combination of the multi-award-winning 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine with an automated 7-speed Powershift transmission combines an extraordinarily dynamic driving experience with a high level of suitability for everyday use”.
High performance and efficiency thanks to mild hybrid technology
The combination of the 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine and 48-volt mild hybrid technology, which has been available to Puma customers since the SUV’s launch in 2019, has been enhanced to make the new Puma ST Powershift even more powerful to help performance. The mild hybrid system switches on energy recovery faster to charge the 48-volt lithium-ion battery. This allows the belt driven starter/generator (BISG) to provide additional torque at lower engine speeds for longer. In addition, the increased energy recovery enables more electrical support for the BISG to increase peak power by 7.4 kW (10 hp). The vehicle’s software tuning has contributed to the fact that peak output has been increased by around 10 percent compared to the 114 kW (155 hp) 1.0 liter EcoBoost hybrid engine. With up to 125 kW (170 hp) at 5,750 rpm and up to 248 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm, the new Puma ST Powershift offers exactly twice the liter output of a Focus ST170 from 2002.
The Ford Puma ST Powershift benefits from the same active valve exhaust technology as the Puma ST, providing more power and a distinctive ST sound under acceleration. Controlled by the selectable driving modes, the noise level in the “Normal” and “Eco” modes remains pleasantly quiet in everyday traffic. In Sport mode, however, the flap exhaust is opened to underline the sporty character of the vehicle with impressive acoustics.
“The combination of the downsized engine and electrified technology helps to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while offering plenty of performance. Together with the recalibrated powershift transmission, this package delivers intelligent performance and dynamic ST driving pleasure,” said Munzinger.
Automated Powershift transmission allows a lot of control
The 7-speed Powershift transmission was developed to work seamlessly with Ford’s 1.0 liter EcoBoost hybrid engines. In fully automatic mode, the dual-clutch transmission ensures smooth shifting and effortless comfort, especially in stop-and-go traffic, as the mild hybrid powertrain is always kept at the optimal speed for efficiency. In order to exploit the power of the engine, the downshift (“kick-down”) of up to three gears enables faster overtaking when the driver wants maximum acceleration. With Sport mode engaged, the transmission will hold the lower gears longer to achieve higher revs and more driving dynamics. In addition, steering wheel shift paddles also allow manual shifting.
The automatic power shift enables stop & go functionality for the available adaptive cruise control system, which can brake the vehicle completely and automatically accelerate once more if the braking time is less than three seconds or the journey can be continued following three seconds by pressing a button or accelerator pedal. The system also has remote start functionality via the FordPass app1.
High quality ST chassis
The chassis of the Ford Puma ST Powershift sharpens the responsiveness thanks to increased rigidity compared to less sporty Puma equipment variants. It features a 28mm rear stabilizer bar and a 24mm front stabilizer bar. Stability, agility and responsiveness of the Puma ST Powershift are enhanced by Ford’s patented Force Vectoring springs. The direction-wound springs apply vectoring forces to the rear suspension, allowing cornering forces to be directed into the spring for increased lateral stiffness. This advanced spring technology is paired with Hitachi twin-tube frequency dampers front and rear for precise maneuvering and just the amount of compliance needed to confidently absorb minor road bumps, even at high speeds.
The 11.4:1 steering ratio (almost 25 percent shorter than the standard Ford Puma) is aided by Torque Vectoring Control. The 325 mm front brake discs (17 percent larger in diameter than the standard Ford Puma) ensure excellent braking performance. The Puma ST Powershift’s brake booster provides riders with good feedback in all situations, and the optimized energy recovery of the powertrain also supports engine braking.
Design that combines form and function
A Ford Performance splitter integrated into the front bumper not only underlines the sporty claim of the Puma ST Powershift, but also increases front-end downforce by almost 80 percent compared to the standard Ford Puma. A large rear spoiler and prominent rear diffuser also contribute to the car’s distinctive appearance, while the signature ST front end has been optimized for engine cooling and efficiency.
The vehicle introduces the Azura Blue exterior color designed exclusively for ST models for the first time. Available visual highlights are also the gloss black roof finish and standard black radiator grille surrounds, trim elements, exterior mirror caps and rear roof spoiler. The look is rounded off by standard 19-inch alloy wheels with machined metal surfaces.
Standard interior highlights include Ford Performance-developed sports seats made of high-quality Sensico synthetic leather, a wireless charging pad2, a heated windscreen, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, the FordPass Connect modem and Ford’s SYNC 3 communication and entertainment system , which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto3. The driver assistance systems available include Active Parking Assist with parking and exiting parking functions, Cross Traffic Alert with emergency braking, Pre-Collision Assist and intelligent adaptive cruise control.
The Ford Puma ST Powershift impresses with its versatility and offers up to 456 liters of luggage space as well as the innovative Ford MegaBox, which provides an additional 80 liters of storage space under the trunk floor – enough space for two golf bags.
“And of course the new Puma ST Powershift inspires with exactly the dynamics that our customers appreciate,” said Münzinger.
Here is a video of the new Puma ST Powershift:
Questions & contact:
Ing. Christian Wotypka
Ford Motor Company (Austria) GmbH
+43 (0)5 06581-300
cwotypka@ford.com
