Ford Jellymoulds Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 TAKE a look at the new 4x4 that’s going to turn heads on and off-road! This striking machine is a coupé version of Ford’s popular Kuga, and it’s set to take style to the top of the agenda in the SUV sector. Now that the Kuga is firmly established in the off-road market, Ford has decided it’s time to expand the range. With plans to grow the five-door version, there’s room for a sporty little brother that puts the brand in a class of its own. As BMW demonstrated with the X6, there is a demand for cars that combine the raised seating position SUV buyers love with coupé looks and a sporty driving experience. And as you can see in our exclusive images, the new Ford certainly has style on its side. Pivotal to the remarkable shape is the dramatically sloping roofline, while the distinctive C-pillar takes some of its inspiration from the three-door Fiesta. The muscular yet athletic proportions are reminiscent of the original Iosis X, which previewed the Kuga. A neatly curved rear window, classy roof spoiler and sleek tail-lights complete the look. At the front is an evolution of the new design language seen on the Iosis MAX concept. Huge alloys fill chunky arches, the ride height has been raised, and off-road cues include front and rear skid plates. The Kuga Coupé won’t command an X6-style price tag or cost a lot to run, though. While the current five-door model is a 4x4, most versions of the three-door are likely to be sold with two-wheel drive for better fuel economy and emissions figures. Under the bonnet, the newcomer will benefit from the same range of EcoBoost direct-injection turbocharged petrol engines as the upcoming third-generation Focus. These are set to include a new 1.6-litre turbo, available with 148bhp or 178bhp outputs, which will combine storming pace with excellent consumption. Diesel options for the Kuga Coupé are going to include a new 128bhp 1.6 TDCi and a flagship 2.0-litre, available with 168bhp or 197bhp options. As for transmissions, a Powershift twin-clutch auto is to be available for the first time on the Kuga. It will an optional alternativve to the standard six-speed manual gearbox. Expect the new model to get stop-start from the factory, too. Sitting on a modified platform from the next-generation Focus, the Kuga Coupé is to have class-leading driving dynamics with sharp steering, well controlled body roll and plenty of cornering grip. It will be the sportiest car in its class and while most sales are likely to be front-wheel drive, an all-wheel-drive variant will also be offered. Options such as a panoramic glass roof, the latest hi-tech integrated sat-nav and Bluetooth compatibility, along with a reversing camera, are going to help make the Ford feel every inch the mini X6. Production is still some way off, though, because Ford’s immediate priority is the launch of the new Focus and C-MAX next year. Those are set to be followed by a Vauxhall Meriva-rivalling, Fiesta-based MPV. So we will see the new model, along with its five-door brother, at a major motor show in 2011. LINK Looks like a squashed 2 door Fiesta to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 me likey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausrutherford Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Was not expecting this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougarpower Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 ohh please give it to Mercury here in the states damn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Is there a market for a 2 door CUV? Maybe just in Europe? If they make it look sleeker than the 4 door, it might be a new market. Has anyone tried anything like this before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) Is there a market for a 2 door CUV? Maybe just in Europe? If they make it look sleeker than the 4 door, it might be a new market. Has anyone tried anything like this before? Yes Ford in Auto Express a few weeks ago with renderings of the Capri, they had a post bag full of letters saying what a load of rubbish the Focus coupe looked, if you are gonna make a Capri at least make it look like one, and keep it close to the original. The letters were published in last weeks auto Express. Gotta say a lot of folk on BON would not be to impressed with FWD Focus Coupe being used as the next US NEW MUSTANG. Edited June 17, 2009 by Ford Jellymoulds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Auto Express = Photoshop Fantasy I do love this line though: As BMW demonstrated with the X6, there is a demand for cars that combine the raised seating position SUV buyers love with coupé looks and a sporty driving experience. The X6 must be selling a whole lot better in Europe than it is here!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Gotta say a lot of folk on BON would not be to impressed with FWD Focus Coupe being used as the next US NEW MUSTANG. The difference is the U.S. market still largely supports a large RWD Ford coupe. Would the European market? I doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 While it is attractive looking, is there really ANY market for this? I almost get a feeling that some automakers are trying to throw shit against a wall to find the next big thing in the automotive market... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Isuzu Vehicross I believe was a 2door SUV wasn't it ? And then there's the Toyota FreakinJoke Cruiser. If you make it decently priced under $20K, they could test the waters and see if it sells here. If not, keep shipping them to other parts of the world.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerM Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) The X6 must be selling a whole lot better in Europe than it is here!! :lol: I saw an X6 the other day. Like the one in the article, it looked like an SUV with anencephaly. Edited June 17, 2009 by RangerM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 The difference is the U.S. market still largely supports a large RWD Ford coupe. Would the European market? I doubt it. Shhhhhh don't tell Porsche that they are one of the richest car companies in the world at the moment. If you are going to release FWD Jello junk with four wheels & steering wheel like the Puma, Cougar & Probe that flopped in Europe then you are right Nick. If Ford released something with a bit more spirit & soul like the Capri or Porsche 911 then l would say you are wrong Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Shhhhhh don't tell Porsche that they are one of the richest car companies in the world at the moment. If you are going to release FWD Jello junk with four wheels & steering wheel like the Puma, Cougar & Probe that flopped in Europe then you are right Nick. If Ford released something with a bit more spirit & soul like the Capri or Porsche 911 then l would say you are wrong Nick. Did you really just compare the Capri to PORSCHE? You are a funny one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Shhhhhh don't tell Porsche that they are one of the richest car companies in the world at the moment. If you are going to release FWD Jello junk with four wheels & steering wheel like the Puma, Cougar & Probe that flopped in Europe then you are right Nick. If Ford released something with a bit more spirit & soul like the Capri or Porsche 911 then l would say you are wrong Nick. Jelly...Porshe is CURRENTLY running around BROKE asking for its own kind of bailout from VW and the like...I beleive they are also attempting to sell 25% of their stock.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Speaking of the Kuga, I've been seeing a lot of them on the roads around Metro Detroit of late, When is the Escape being replaced; 2012 model year still? I really wish they sold the Kuga here now. I think the new Escape's are just Ugly on the outside -- the 2005-2007 look so much better. New Mariner is the far better looking one, just don't like the back, specifically the taillights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Jelly...Porshe is CURRENTLY running around BROKE asking for its own kind of bailout from VW and the like...I beleive they are also attempting to sell 25% of their stock.... Shhhhhh...don't tell FJM. You'll disturb his very warped view of the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Jelly...Porshe is CURRENTLY running around BROKE asking for its own kind of bailout from VW and the like...I beleive they are also attempting to sell 25% of their stock.... Porsche will still make a $billion profit this year despite wasting 8 billions on VW Shares, they still have 25 billion invested in VW. The bad investment has nothing to do with the profit the Porsche 911 has generated for decades and will still continue to in the future the shape of the 911 has not changed much over the years and Porsche has made billions for decades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Porsche will still make a $billion profit this year despite wasting 8 billions on VW Shares, they still have 25 billion invested in VW. The bad investment has nothing to do with the profit the Porsche 911 has generated for decades and will still continue to in the future the shape of the 911 has not changed much over the years and Porsche has made billions for decades. Isn't the 911's shape somewhat jellymoulded? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Porsche will still make a $billion profit this year despite wasting 8 billions on VW Shares, they still have 25 billion invested in VW. The bad investment has nothing to do with the profit the Porsche 911 has generated for decades and will still continue to in the future the shape of the 911 has not changed much over the years and Porsche has made billions for decades. then why would they ask VW for money that is already theirs?...anyways...they are hurtin Jells...their market has been hit as hard, if not HARDER than most......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) Isn't the 911's shape somewhat jellymoulded? Jellymoulded = Longinthetooth. Don't know how much longer they can kick the 911 dead horse styling....Sales of Porsche’s expensive 911 models plummeted by 76 percent in March and were sliced in half for the quarter compared with the same period a year ago. Similarly, sales of its less-expensive Boxster and Cayman sports cars were halved as well. Edited June 17, 2009 by Deanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 then why would they ask VW for money that is already theirs?...anyways...they are hurtin Jells...their market has been hit as hard, if not HARDER than most......... They spent $12billion on the failed VW takeover and are expecting a $3.5billion shortfall this year. They've received $2.5billion from the German government and they're trying to raise another $1billion from investors in Qatar. That doesn't sound like they're "rolling in it" like FJM implies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 In terms of a "life-style vehicle" it reminds me of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_X-90 It was a failure, not because it was too cute, but lacked any Utility in SUV. It could work, but like the BMW, what's the point? I like the looks, at least in the photoshop, but I don't know! Maybe if it IS the right combination of price, ability, performance, style???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Did you really just compare the Capri to PORSCHE? You are a funny one. LOL RWD Capri spent most of 70's beating the Porsche 911 in European Touring Car in the 70's only time they met together on racetracks and the RWD Escorts spent most of the time whipping the Porsche 911 off road off the tarmac for most of the 70's Ford marketing deparment was lazy must have been asleep at the time. Capri is still whipping the Porsche 911 todays greatest events around the world just like RWD Escort still do. http://www.rallyresults.com.au/car2008/Classic.pdf Capri was the best selling Coupe in Europe in the 1970's nothing else come close it spent a few years as the UK No3 best selling car in the early 70's no Coupe as every done this before in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 LOL RWD Capri spent most of 70's beating the Porsche 911 in European Touring Car in the 70's only time they met together on racetracks and the RWD Escorts spent most of the time whipping the Porsche 911 off road off the tarmac for most of the 70's Ford marketing deparment was lazy must have been asleep at the time. Capri is still whipping the Porsche 911 todays greatest events around the world just like RWD Escort still do. http://www.rallyresults.com.au/car2008/Classic.pdf Capri was the best selling Coupe in Europe in the 1970's nothing else come close it spent a few years as the UK No3 best selling car in the early 70's no Coupe as every done this before in the UK. The public doesn't buy race cars. Comparing the Capri to the 911 is still hilarious, no matter how you slice it. Nice try though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 They spent $12billion on the failed VW takeover and are expecting a $3.5billion shortfall this year. They've received $2.5billion from the German government and they're trying to raise another $1billion from investors in Qatar. That doesn't sound like they're "rolling in it" like FJM implies. Bad investment has nothing to do with how well a car is selling Dickhead, l never said Porsche were rolling in it one bad year will be reversed next year the cars like the Porsche 911 are still making big profits for Porsche 38,000 average profit is being generated on every 911 sale the same will apply in 2010, If Porsche had not invested 12 billion in they would have made $13 billion in profits in 2009 from selling cars. They still have 25 billion invested in VW who are. They were on course to make a billion in profits before Qatar got involved. If you want to talk about investments start another thread on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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