Ford Performance has finally lifted the veils of its smallest SUV and the first of its SUVs developed for Europe, the Puma ST. Packing the powertrain of the Fiesta ST platform sibling, the Ford Puma ST is powered by the same all-aluminum 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that makes 200 PS at 6,000 rpm and 320 Nm of torque between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm.
While the power is identical with the
Fiesta ST, the peak torque is 30 Nm higher, contributing to enhanced
responsiveness. The performance SUV sprints from zero to 100 km/h in
6.7 seconds, which means it’s just 0.2 seconds slower than the lighter Fiesta
ST. The hot hatch is also faster, reaching a top speed of 232 km/h while the Puma ST maxes out at 220 km/h.
Ford Performance says it has tuned the
exhaust note to better suit the Puma ST’s more refined SUV character, making it
1 decibel quieter than the Fiesta ST for a more relaxed cruising experience. As
with the hot hatch, the engine turns the front wheels via a six-speed manual
gearbox which features a shortened final drive ratio to favor acceleration
while accommodating larger 19-inch alloy wheels.
For those interested in fuel economy, the
Puma ST is projected to average 6.9 l/100 km (40.9 mpg UK / 34 mpg US) in the
WLTP test cycle, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 155 g/km. When it comes to
the chassis, Ford Performance made significant changes over the standard Puma,
including the addition of a Quaife limited-slip differential (LSD) option and
force vectoring springs. Furthermore, the optimized chassis features bespoke
twist-beam (40 percent stiffer than Fiesta ST), anti-roll bar and damper
configurations. The Puma ST also rides on specially-developed Michelin Pilot
Sport 4S tires to help deliver “the most agile Ford SUV driving experience yet”
without sacrificing ride quality. Steering responses are said to be 25 percent
faster while the brakes are 17 percent larger.
Selectable Drive Modes are key to the Puma
ST’s versatility, offering Normal, Eco (a first on an ST model), Sport and
Track modes. In addition, the three-mode ESC gives drivers the choice of full
system intervention, wide-slip mode with limited intervention, and full system
de-activation. A Launch Control feature is also part of the package. In the
looks department, the Puma ST is not all that different from a Puma ST-Line.
Unique features include a Ford Performance-embossed splitter integrated into
the front bumper to increase front end downforce by almost 80 percent, a large
rear roof spoiler, and a diffuser-like element incorporated into the rear
bumper.
Rounding out the exterior upgrades are the
signature ST upper and lower grilles designed to deliver increased engine
cooling capability, gloss black roof, mirror caps and rear roof spoiler, as
well as 19-inch wheels in Magnetite or machined metal finishes. Customers can
choose from six body colors, including the ST-exclusive Mean Green.
The cabin features heated Recaro sports
seats embossed with the ST logo and finished in grippy Miko Dinamica material,
Ford Performance skid plates, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and ST gear
knob. The seats, gear lever gaiter and ST-branded floor mats are finished with
Metal Grey stitching.
Standard features include a wireless
charging pad, Quickclear heated windscreen, front and rear parking sensors,
rain-sensing wipers and Ford’s 8-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Puma ST also comes with standard
FordPass Connect modem technology which allows owners to remotely control
vehicle features, including Door Lock Unlock and Vehicle Locator, via the
FordPass mobile app. The modem also enables cloud-connected Local Hazard
Information. In the UK, the Puma ST starts from £ 28,495 (US$ 36,300), while the
Performance Pack with limited-slip differential (LSD) adds £ 950 (US$ 1,210).
