Car And GPS (1858)

Ford brings new crossover SUV to Europe

Kuga "4x4" soft roader on the way

5 September 2007 20:50 GMT / By Jonathan Goddard

This is the Kuga, Ford's new crossover SUV, which will be offered with a "soft" four-wheel drive and cost from around £20,000.

It's set to rival the Toyota RAV 4, the forthcoming VW Tiguan and the Nissan Qashqai when it goes on sale next year in 134bhp 2.0 litre diesel form only.

Standard models will be front-wheel drive, with "intelligent" four-wheel-drive (as with the latest Honda CR-V) offered as an option to allow some capability in the rough.

Based on the Iosis concept, which debuted at the Paris show in 2006, the Kuga shares the concept's "ice white" paintwork and 19in rims, although 17in rims will be standard. The Kuga seats five, has a split-fold rear tailgate and gets whizz-bang technology inlcuding a rear parking camera.

It's a Europe-only car and Ford expects to build around 65,000 per year after an initial debut at the Frankfurt motor show next week.