PRODUCTION-READY FORD KUGA VIGNALE REVEALED. UPSCALE SUV EXPANDS FORD VIGNALE PRODUCT AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

June 22, 2016 by Ford

◾Ford Kuga Vignale production model confirmed; upscale SUV available to order later this year offering exclusive specification and meticulous craftsmanship

◾Ford S-MAX Vignale sports activity vehicle available to order now alongside Ford Mondeo Vignale four-door and wagon; Ford Edge Vignale and Mondeo Vignale five-door available to order later this year

◾Ford Vignale vehicles deliver individualistic styling options; high-power, fuel efficient powertrains; and sophisticated technologies including Active Noise Control

◾Ford Vignale range available to order at FordStores across the UKincorporating dedicated Vignale Lounges; customers can now use Ford's new dedicated Ford Vignale Internet destination and online configurator to explore pricing and options

BRENTWOOD, UK, June 22, 2016 – Ford has revealed the production version of the new Ford Kuga Vignale upscale SUV that will expand the Ford Vignale product and customer experience when it goes on sale in Europe later this year.

The Ford Kuga Vignale is presented in pearlescent-metallic Vignale Milano Grigio exterior colour with Cashmere leather interior trim as part of an exclusive specification, delivers meticulous craftsmanship and will be offered with a range of powerful and efficient Ford EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines – and with Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive.

The Ford Kuga Vignale joins the new Ford S-MAX Vignale sports activity vehicle and Ford Edge Vignale large SUV as one of three new Ford Vignale models presented this year, following the introduction of the Ford Mondeo Vignale in 2015. The Ford Mondeo and S-MAX Vignale are available to order now, with the Edge Vignale also arriving in late 2016.

The expanded Ford Vignale model range is available to order at FordStores across Europe, including Georgia and Turkey, and at customers' Ford retailer of choice. FordStoresincorporate dedicated Vignale Lounges that deliver a personalised purchase experience supported by a Vignale Relationship Manager. Ford has 70 FordStores already established across the UK.

Customers can now use Ford's new dedicated Ford Vignale Internet destination and online configurator to explore pricing and options – including new design options introduced earlier this year that enable customers to further personalise the exterior styling of Vignale models.

'Our customers have high aspirations, and they want more from Ford. On some vehicles, our top-of-the-line Titanium specifications make up 70 per cent of all sales,' said Jim Farley, Chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe. 'With Ford Vignale, we can offer them the absolute best of Ford in terms of luxury and personal service. That's why we are expanding from Ford Mondeo Vignale to our flagship products Edge and S-MAX, with Kuga to come soon after.'

Ford earlier this year also announced a new travel, event and lifestyle service that will offer Ford Vignale customers valuable offers and access to travel and lifestyle activities, including hospitality experiences at the Chelsea Flower Show in London and access to VIP premieres such as the Cannes Film Festival.

Ford Kuga Vignale

The new Ford Kuga Vignale is based on the Ford Kuga mid-size SUV revealed for the first time at the 2016 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

The upscale model's unique Vignale pearlescent Milano Grigio exterior colour is influenced by rose metallic tones, and complemented with dark gloss effect finishes for the front and rear skid plates, door appliques and boot trim. The signature Vignale hexagonal grille design features at the front.

The premium character of the Ford Kuga Vignale interior is further heightened with unique hexagonal-quilted Windsor leather featuring prominent tuxedo-style stitching for the seats and door interiors, offered in signature Cashmere colour. The upscale leather treatment also extends to the instrument panel.

Each Kuga Vignale model will be hand-finished by master craftspeople at the state-of-the-art Vignale Centre at Ford's manufacturing facility in Valencia, Spain.The latest laser and camera technology supports the trained eye in closely examining every aspect of a Vignale vehicle from bodyshell and panel alignment to paint finish.

Passionate about precision and attention to detail, experts spend more than two hours hand-polishing the paintwork to create the perfect high-gloss finish; and also carefully scrutinise the fine detailing and stitching of laser-cut pieces of interior leather trim.

Powerful and fuel-efficient Ford Kuga Vignale powertrain options include:

◾150PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost with six-speed manual transmission

◾182PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost with six-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All Wheel Drive

◾150PS 2.0-litre TDCi with six-speed manual transmission

◾180PS 2.0-litre TDCi with six-speed manual transmission or six-speed Powershift automatic transmission, both with standard Intelligent All Wheel Drive

Ford's Intelligent All Wheel Drive system delivers a seamless transition of torque between all four wheels to provide a more secure footing on the road especially in slippery conditions and can adjust torque delivery up to 50/50 between the front and rear wheels in under 20 milliseconds – twenty times quicker than it takes to blink.

Over 80 per cent of the 33,000 Kugas sold in 2015 in the UK were high-specification Titanium models, indicating high demand for luxury variants in the SUV segment that is predicted, by industry sales analyst IHS, to increase to account for 27 per cent of all vehicle sales in Europe by 2020, from 20 per cent in 2014.

'Our Ford Kuga Vignale speaks directly to the growing trend for luxury SUVs and represents the very best of Ford with premium design, materials and craftsmanship,' said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. 'We see great potential to extend the top end of our Ford product range and offer a special experience that meets the growing expectations of our customers.'

Ford Vignale individual style

The new Ford S-MAX Vignale and Ford Edge Vignale productionmodelswere unveiled for the first time earlier this year at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

Both vehicles deliver the signature Ford Vignale hexagonal upper grille design with dark matte finish and polished aluminium surround, and exclusive exterior colour options.

Carefully executed exterior detailing enhances exclusivity, and includes the Ford Edge Vignale's bespoke chrome-finish foglamps; the aluminium, Vignale-embossed wrap-around applique of the Ford S-MAX Vignale's rear liftgate; and 19-inch polished aluminium wheels for both models.

Interiors offer hexagonal-quilted Windsor leather featuring prominent tuxedo-style stitching for the seats and door interiors, offered in light Cashmere or dark Ebony colours. Ebony leather extends to the central armrest and storage console, and to the instrument panel, which features a woven aluminium applique on the passenger side.

'Ford Vignale design exudes sophistication and premium sportiness,' said Joel Piaskowski, director, Design, Ford of Europe. 'For customers, Ford Vignale is a more individualistic way to enjoy luxury and express your style.'

Further customer tailored personalisation options including dark alloy wheels and foglamp surrounds, and exteriors without additional chrome detailing already are offered for the Ford S-MAX Vignale and the Ford Mondeo Vignale – also available later this year in five-door bodystyle following the Ford Mondeo Vignale four-door and wagon models that launched last year.

Advanced technologies

All Ford Vignale models feature as standard the SYNC 3 communication and entertainment system that delivers faster performance and features a redesigned 8-inch touch screen enabling pinch and swipe gestures for the first time. Simply by pushing a button and saying 'I need a coffee,' 'I need petrol,' and 'I need to park,' drivers can find nearby cafés, petrol stations or car parks, as well as locate train stations, airports, and hotels. The system then guides the driver to the selected destination via the navigation.

Ford Vignale models also enhance the passenger experience with a premium audio system and front and rear ambient lighting. The Ford S-MAX Vignale offers tri-zone climate control and a full-length opening panoramic sunroof, adding to the cabin ambience.

Front Wide-View Camera technology for the Ford S-MAX Vignale and Ford Edge Vignale can see around corners even when drivers cannot – reducing stress and potentially helping avert collisions. Adaptive Cruise Control technology uses forward-facing radar to enable S-MAX drivers to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead.

Further sophisticated technology offered for the Ford S-MAX Vignale, Ford Edge Vignale and Ford Mondeo Vignale includes Ford Active Noise Control,* which uses three microphones strategically placed throughout the cabin to monitor engine noise in the interior, and directs opposing sound waves through the audio system to cancel out engine noise and improve cabin ambience.

Ford Vignale models also deliver a range of driver assistance technologies including Blind Spot Information System, Traffic Sign Recognition,Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid and Driver Alert.

Sophisticated Ford S-MAX Vignale powertrain options include:

◾180PS 2.0-litre TDCi with six-speed manual transmission offering 129g/km CO2 emissions and 56.5mpg combined fuel efficiency** and six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission offering 134g/km CO2 and 54.3mpg

◾180PS 2.0-litre TDCi with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission and Intelligent All Wheel Drive offering 149g/km CO2 and 48.7mpg

◾210PS bi-turbo 2.0-litre TDCi with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission delivering 144g/km CO2 and 51.4mpg

◾240PS 2.0-litre EcoBoost with six-speed automatic transmission delivering 180g/km CO2 and 35.8mpg

The Ford Mondeo Vignale also is offered with high-powered engine options including Ford's 210PS bi-turbo 2.0-litre TDCi diesel for effortless cruising.

Travel in style

Ford Vignale customers value experiences and consider time the ultimate luxury. Ford will offer a dedicated service to help customers across Europe efficiently arrange exclusive travel and lifestyle experiences.Delivered in partnership with Total Management – a global event, lifestyle and travel agency – the service will offer carefully selected experiences to Vignale customers.

Exclusive offers for theatre, music and sporting events including French Open tennis also will be offered. Ford will keep customers informed about the latest exclusive travel and lifestyle opportunities via a monthly email update, launching across Europe this month.

Additional customer benefits offered by Ford Vignale include the Vignale Service smartphone app for Apple and Android™ operating systems.*** The app delivers a direct link to online lifestyle content from the Vignale Magazine, in addition to offering driving tips and information; a dealership locator; and GPS-enabled services including Ford Vignale Park Me, fuel stations locator, and a one-touch connection with emergency services or Ford Vignale One Call.

Signature collection

Elements of the signature 2016 Ford Vignale Collection, created by the same Ford Design team behind the Ford Vignale model range are also displayed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This includes the all-new Vignale Smart Traveller, a slim expandable garment sleeve, inspired by the bold exterior styling of Edge and slim travel gadgets.

Presented in exquisite yet robust natural leather, artisan leatherworkers recreated for the sleeve the signature Vignale hexagonal graphic theme used in the handcrafted Vignale seats. The Vignale Smart Traveller offers large pockets with space for four garments, with zips and fastenings concealed by tuxedo stitching. The Vignale Collection is available to experience and order from Vignale Lounges and via a dedicated online store.

The Vignale story

Alfredo Vignale was one of the first coachbuilders, or carrozzeria, to see a car as something that could be personalised with unique, made-to-measure designs. Vignale learned his craft with master coachbuilder Pinin Farina, before creating his own iconic designs for Italian automobile makers under his own name, taking advantage of new fabrication techniques developed by the aviation industry. From 1948 until 1969, the Vignale Carrozzeria, near Turin, attracted customers from around the world.

Photo credit: Ford
posted on conceptcarz.com