The cute Ford Puma could receive a
performance-oriented ST variant, Autocar reports. While recently speaking with the
British publication, Ford global development boss Hau Thai-Tang said that the
Puma “would be a good place for us to look” as it expands the ‘ST’ range from
the Fiesta and Focus models currently on sale.
If Ford does the green light to a Puma ST, the small
crossover would likely be powered by the same 1.5-liter three-cylinder
turbocharged engine as the Fiesta ST, pumping out an identical 197 hp. This
engine would transit its power to the pavement through the front wheels and
could be offered with a limited-slip differential, launch control, and
selectable drive modes.
Just days after the new Ford Puma was unveiled
towards the end of June, a series of renderings showing the car in ST and RS
forms surfaced. The fit of these renderings depicted the Puma with some subtle
styling modifications including the fitment of bespoke wheels. A rendering
showing an eye-catching Ford Puma RS model also came to our attention but it is
extremely unlikely Ford will decide to build such a crossover.
If a Ford Puma ST does see the light of day, it
probably won’t arrive for quite some time and most likely not within the next
two years.
