The Ford Puma name makes a return, this timereinvented as an SUV-inspired compact crossover.

This all-new Ford Puma is scheduled to go on sale towards the end of 2019 and will be assembled at Ford’s factory in Craiova, Romania. There’s a strong focus on striking design and practicality here, and the Puma is going to be marketed as a vehicle that has “solutions for everyday living”.

It’ll be powered by an updated version of the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder EcoBoost motor, this time assisted by hybrid 48-volt technology mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.The standard alternator has been replaced by an 11.5 kW belt-driven integrated starter/generator to provide torque assistance and up to 50 Nm can be delivered.There are 2 versions of Puma initially, a 92 kW and a 114 kW, with a diesel and a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission being made available after the vehicle’s launch. In terms of efficiency, 5.4 L/100 km and 5.6 L/100 km are the claims.

Ford has always been fairly generous with its tech and safety, and the new Ford Puma is no exception. There are 12 ultrasonic sensors, 3 radars and 2 cameras to help with driving and parking. There’s also adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition and lane centering, as well as automatic parking. Inside, the Ford Sync setup features Apple Carplay and Android Auto, while a wireless charging pad is available.

Despite its small appearance, Ford is claiming best-in-class space, with 456 litres being the claim. A smart storage solution, dubbed Ford MegaBox, takes care of additional storage requirements. Sadly, this means there’s no spare wheel.

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