The Daily Car

Ford sure has been busy. Just after the announcement of the new Fiesta, and it’s also unveiled the new Focus-based Kuga. Like the Fiesta, its première is at the Geneva Motor Show on March the 4th.

The Kuga is what Ford calls a crossover utility vehicle (CUV). Basically, it’s a small SUV, similar to the Volkswagen Plus Dune and SEAT Altea Freetrack.

The Focus hatchback’s platform provides a basis for the Kuga, only it gets four-wheel-drive to complement the rugged looks and increased ride height. The only engine available will be a 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel, mated with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The diesel engine should lead to satisfactory running costs; Ford says the Kuga will deliver fuel consumption of 44.1mpg, and CO₂ emissions of 169g/km. The car will be cheap to buy, too: Ford says the starting price will be £20,495.

Ford has just unveiled the very first official its new Fiesta supermini, ready for the real car to be shown off at the Geneva Motor Show on the 4th of March, 2008.

The new Fiesta will share many components with the Mazda2, just like its predecessor did. But whilst the previous-generation Mazda2 proved a bit of an embarrasment, the new model is really great, which should bode well for the new Fiesta. Ford’s new baby should prove as good as the Mazda, we hope; a pleasingly light and thus fun-to-drive car.

There will be a total of five engines on offer when the Fiesta goes on sale: two TDCI diesel engines and three petrol-powered units. Derv fans will choose between a 1.4- and 1.6-litre engines with 67 and 89bhp respectively. Meanwhile, the petrol line-up includes 1.3-, 1.4-, and 1.6-litre engines, all of which will drive the front wheels.

Autumn will likely see the introduction of a special, ecological Fiesta called the ECOnetic. This will rival the VW Polo BlueMotion and its sub-100g/km CO₂ emissions will allow for road tax exemption.

Today’s pictures show a 3-door car but a 5-door model is also likely to be available. A number of other versions are also rumoured to be on the way, including a small MPV.