The Ford Puma ST launches automatic transmission and light hybridization, but reduces its power

Ford Europe has announced that the sportiest version of its utility SUV, the Puma ST, will have, already in 2023, a Powershift automatic transmission and a microhybrid propulsion system. It will be based on the turbocharged and three-cylinder gasoline engine 1.0 EcoBoost, less powerful than the 1.5 habitual: pass from 200 to 170 hp, which will have notable negative effects on benefits, although positive on consumption and emissions. In addition, in Spain, you will obtain the eco label of the General Directorate of Traffic. Its price has not been disclosed.

In its press release, the brand of American origin says that the Ford Puma ST Powershift 2023 "reinforces its sportiness", when in reality what happens is the opposite. What the company achieves with these modifications is to offer a very versatile SUV with a chassis dynamically superior to that of its alternatives, but with lower fuel consumption (actually, it's very good) and a higher eco-grade, at least when compared to the manual transmission option. In combination with the automatic gearbox, which works by means of a double clutch robotized and has 7 relations, this car homologates 6,3 l / 100 km and 144 g/km of CO2 (WLTP).

The reduction in these figures is not only due to the type of gear change, but to a team of light hybridization that electrically supports some functions of the main engine. This system, which turns the Puma ST into a MHEV, is 48 V. In return, the maximum power of this car is 30 CV less than that of its original, manual version and without any type of electrification. Now develop up to 170PS and 248Nm of torque, which is still far more than the vast majority of cars in its class. Such features allow you to speed up from 0 to 100 km / h in 7,4 seconds (0,7 more than "before"). Traction is still front.

It is not clear if Ford will continue to offer the conventional Puma ST from now on, since these changes in the product range may mean a pinch in its European emissions mix. What the signature of the blue oval does ensure is that, With the new drive configuration, this vehicle will have paddle shifters behind the wheel and will continue to have several driving modes., a set of sports seats, a state-of-the-art multimedia system, an exhaust with active valves and a relatively radical suspension tuning, the work of the Ford Performance division.

Source - Ford