Ford’s controversial Puma is set to cost €24,465
It seems something of an irony that although Ford is globally struggling for sales, and has seen its Irish market share halve in recent years, it managed to produce the two coolest cars of 2019.
The Bullitt Mustang and Ranger Raptor will never be big sellers (certainly not in an Irish context) but they do at least prove that Ford can still produce cars that enthusiasts love.
However, enthusiasts have been up in arms since Ford announced that its new small crossover would be called… Puma.
Originally the name of a Fiesta-based coupe, sold from 1997 to 2001, and utterly beloved of both critics and fans, putting its name on a family-friendly crossover is tantamount to naming your family dog Jesus.
However, as part of Ford’s global push to catch up with rivals in terms of SUV and crossover sales, the Puma already looks like it might be a success, and now we know it’s price. The Puma Titanium will cost from €24,465 when it arrives in Ireland in January.
There will also be a sporty ST-Line model, starting from €26,065, and a high-spec ST-Line X version priced from €27,865.
Standard specification includes 17 inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, pre-collision assistant, an eight inch touchscreen, keyless ignition, air conditioning, massaging front seats, wireless phone charging, and cruise control with a speed limiter.
That spec and price puts it right in the midst of the family hatchback market, and it’s clear that Ford Ireland wants the Puma to tempt back buyers to the brand who’ve been led out of their Focuses by rival SUVs.
All three Puma versions will share one engine — a new 48 volt mild-hybrid version of the 1.0 litre 125hp EcoBoost petrol turbo engine.
In spite of the revival of the sporty Puma name, Ford is aiming this new crossover directly at family buyers who value practicality. The 444 litre boot is one of the biggest in its class, and it comes with a MegaBox.
MegaBox is really just a fancy name for a storage box under the boot floor, where the spare wheel would normally reside. It’s deep and square, and allows you to carry tall loads (potted plants, the inevitable golf clubs) upright.
It also has a drainage hole so that, if you carry something mucky in there, you can hose it out afterwards. All well and good, but it’s hardly the kind of thing Steve McQueen (so memorably digitally revived for the original Puma’s TV ad) would have cared about…
Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, said: “I am sure the new Ford Puma will be a big hit in the Irish market. It is a compact SUV that feels like a much bigger car thanks, in part, to the innovative design of the MegaBox boot area.
“Then add in the very fuel efficient mild hybrid 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol engine and you can see why Puma will tick all the boxes for many prospective new car buyers.”