Examen de la Ford Puma ST | Top Gear

Compact SUV. Two words to cool the hearts of anyone who still argues that driving in the rear of 2020 can be, you know, entertaining. Ford, a strong proponent of mass-market driving dynamics, hasn’t always balanced the ingredients perfectly, but the last two generations of Fiesta STs have been a beautifully impactful – and award-winning Top Gear – effort. So turning its attention to the Ford Puma, the Fiesta-based crossover with an attractive and quirky design and a waterproof, rubber-lined MegaBox boot receptacle, hopes are naturally high.And they go up again when you look at what Ford has launched. The charismatic 1.5-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine puts out 197 horsepower, the chassis has been heavily blown, and if you go for the Performance Pack (quite reasonable £ 950) you’ll add a differential and torque to Quaife limited slip. vectorization. Ford Performance even worked with Michelin to develop the bespoke Pilot Sport 4S rubber. No one else in this industry has given themselves this problem, although there is no question of whether anything else would really benefit from this effort.

There are also a bunch of selectable ride modes, up to and including a track setup. This is perhaps a little optimistic, unless Ford pursues the coveted lap time record for small SUVs under 200 horsepower around the “Ring”, but nevertheless underlines its ambitions for a car including the great-uncle was actually a 1.3 liter Escort GL.

The ST makeover also toughens up the Puma’s slightly Pixar-ish and bug-eyed look. There’s a reworked front bumper with an embossed Ford Performance splitter, and a rear roof spoiler and diffuser (for more practical downforce). A new grille improves engine cooling, while a glossy black finish on the roof and elsewhere adds something akin to the threat. You can have magnetite or a machined metal finish on the 19 inch alloys. And among the six exterior colors, you’ll find a ST-exclusive lysergic Mean Green.

It is also extremely well equipped. Wireless charging, heated windshield, front and rear parking sensors, and Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and infotainment system are all part of the package, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. As is the modern way, app-based remote operation of various vehicle features including locking and a vehicle locator – come on, we’ve all had wobbly times in the long-term parking lot of the car. airport – is available via FordPass Connect modem technology. It also uses the local danger information connected to the cloud to warn the driver of something untoward to come.

A passenger sun visor and ashtray would have been about the size of this one in the days of Great Uncle Escort.