The Ford Puma range, which went on sale early in 2020, has been expanded with a pair of new engine variants, a new automatic transmission and the range-topping ST-Line Vignale X variation.
The big news for Ford Puma buyers is the arrival of the new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which reflects the growth in popularity of automatic gearboxes. Two-pedal cars now account for well in excess of 50% of all car sales globally, and UK market share is heading in the same direction, as buyers switch on to the efficiency and ease of use of the latest set-ups.
The new seven-speed automatic is available with the 125hp 1.0-litre EcoBoost model, and has lowish emissions (for a petrol auto) of 138g/km of CO2 and a real-world WLTP Combined fuel consumption figure of 45.6mpg. The new two-pedal Puma weighs in at a cash price of £22,945, and Ford says its, ‘seamless gear changes contribute to optimised fuel efficiency, refinement and driving dynamics.’
The new range-topping ST-Line X Vignale is a more luxurious version of the existing ST-Line X. This is a change in Ford policy of having the Vignale as a bespoke model at the top of the range. The new model comes in at £25,240 before options.
The ST-Line Vignale gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a restyled front grille and surround, body-coloured lower rear bumper as well as LED headlights, Windsor leather seats, a leather-wrapped instrument cluster, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and a keyless ignition system.
This is on top of the generous standard equipment you get in the Puma Titanium, ST-Line and ST-Line X. So you get Ford’s Local Hazard Information, enabled by the FordPass Connect modem (an online system that warns drivers of upcoming issues on the road), and the Ford MegaBox storage solution, which allows you to transport tall items in an upright position.
What this means for you
In automatic form, the Ford Puma is more economical and puts out a lower level of CO2 emissions than its manual counterpart. The 125hp 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid’s figures of 127g/km and 49.6mpg compares with132g/km and 47.9mpg for the similarly-powered manual version. Choosing this transmission over the standard six-speed manual is pretty much a no brainer for those who live in towns and cities or have an unpleasant commute.
The range-topping ST-Line X Vignale allows buyers the chance to get all of the most up-to-date equipment and tech in one package. We’ll be expecting Ford dealers to offer some attractive finance deals on this model – so if you’re looking for the best-equipped Puma do some research on all of the finance options available.
