The current range of Ford Kuga it is undoubtedly the most electrified ever. In fact, never before has the car manufacturer of the Blue Oval offered its model in three different hybrid declinations, with the maximum expression represented by the Hybrid plug-in. And precisely this battery-powered version of the US SUV was the subject of our test drive: Ford has decided to offer this hybrid version since its launch, and has never stopped in recent months to underline the important results obtained, both in terms of sales on the market and in terms of reducing CO2 emissions.
A success made possible by the powertrain that drives this plug-in hybrid version of the Kuga: the split-power structure in fact, it combines a 2.5-liter Atkinson four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, for a total power of 225 HP. The powertrain is powered by a 14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, capable of guaranteeing a zero-emission driving range of 56 kilometers in the WLTP cycle. The latter is recharged both with the car in motion, using regenerative recharging technology that captures the kinetic energy that is normally lost during braking, and through a socket mounted on the front fender. Four driving modes available to the driver: ranging from the EV Auto to the EV Now, passing through the EV Later and the EV Charge. The first of these four, which integrates the power of the petrol engine with the assistance of the electric motor using recovered energy to reduce fuel consumption, is automatically selected when the battery reaches its lowest charge level.
We had the chance to test the new plug-in hybrid Kuga both in the urban and city context and in long journeys, having traveled the motorway section connecting Milan and Bologna several times. Regardless of the driving scenario, the battery-powered version of the Blue Oval SUV always offered satisfactory responses, even in the all-electric driving mode. The high capacity of the tank, combined with the efficiency of the lithium-ion battery, allows the Kuga PHEV to cover long distances without the need to stop and refuel with petrol or energy, given the fuel consumption of 1.4 l / 100 km and 32 g / km WLTP.
Ford offers three trim levels for the new plug-in hybrid Kuga, from Vignale to Titanium up to the one that conveys greater sensations of sportiness, the ST Line. And the latter was the subject of our test drive: inspired by the Ford Performance models, the standard equipment of this version of the Blue Oval SUV includes bumpers and side skirts in body color and grille, rear diffuser, bars on the black roof, a large rear spoiler, optional 18 “or 19” alloy wheels and two tailpipes. Overall, there are twelve colors available for the exterior livery of the new Kuga, among which the new Diffused Silver metallic stands out. Even inside the cabin sportsmanship is the watchword, as evidenced by the exclusive design of the ST-Line seats with contrasting red stitching, the aluminum pedals, the flat-bottomed steering wheel, the ST-Line floor mats and door sills.
Technologically speaking, the new 12.3 “LCD instrument panel is the first in its segment to use free form technology, which enables seamless image design. The overview is completed by the 24-bit color digital cluster that generates high-definition images and icons and the B&O 575 watt premium audio system equipped with 10 speakers. Final remarks on the advanced range of driving assistance technologieswhich introduces the new Lane-Keeping System with Blind Spot Assist, which combines the Blind Spot Information System and the Lane-Keeping System to monitor the blind spot and manage the arrival of vehicles while traveling on multi-lane carriageways.
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