2012 Ford Kuga

Ford's Stylish and Spacious All-New Kuga Makes European Debut at 2012 Geneva Motor Show

• All-new Ford Kuga unveils hands-free automatic tailgate technology, allowing customers to open or close boot by simply sweeping a foot under the rear bumper
• Rear seats fold flat at the touch of a button; all-new model has 82-litres more boot-space than current model
• Kuga features fast-thinking all-wheel drive (AWD) and Torque Vectoring Control system for improved driving dynamics

GENEVA, Mar. 5, 2012 – The all-new Ford Kuga, unveiled today at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, builds on the huge success of the current model and introduces new technologies as well as a more streamlined, stylish and spacious design.

Technological improvements include the introduction of a hands-free automatic tailgate which can be opened and closed simply by sweeping a foot under the rear bumper.

'Innovative technologies like the hands-free automatic tailgate clearly set new Kuga apart from its competitors,' said Ford of Europe's chairman and CEO, Stephen Odell. 'But more importantly they provide customers with everyday advantages. All-new Kuga is more spacious, dynamic and capable than the current model, which continues to be popular with our European customers.'

Ford's advanced voice control, device integration and connectivity interface SYNC will also be available from launch. It will include Emergency Assistance, which upon detecting airbag deployment or activation of the emergency fuel shut-off within the car, uses the on board GPS locator and Bluetooth-paired device to set up an emergency call and provide GPS co-ordinates, in the local language, for the emergency response.

A range of driver assistance technologies including the parallel parking aid Active Park Assist, and sensor-based Blind Spot Information System, which indicates with a warning light in the door mirror that a potential hazard is in the driver's blind spot, will also be available.

The all-new Kuga features 82-litres more boot-space than the current model, while the rear seats fold flat at the touch of a button.

Ford of Europe's executive design director, Martin Smith said: 'We've evolved the vehicle to incorporate more space and a faster silhouette, a more precise execution and a higher quality feel.'

The smart Kuga AWD system pre-emptively reassesses conditions 20 times faster than it takes to blink an eye, readjusting the AWD power split to give the driver the best blend of handling and traction. Dynamics and cornering control are improved by the introduction of the Torque Vectoring Control (TVC) system first found on the new Focus.

Engines available from launch include 140PS and 163PS versions of Ford's popular 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine, with Ford Powershift automatic gearbox an option. Kuga will also offer the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, already available in Ford Focus and C-MAX and impressing with its strong torque delivery and high fuel efficiency.

Source - Ford