Ford Kuga at 2012 Geneva motor show

This is the new Ford Kuga, unveiled on the eve of the 2012 Geneva motor show. The new Ford Kuga was previewed by the Vertrek concept, and we’ve already seen it in production form as the Escape 4x4 for the North American market, but it’s finally here in European guise.

Underneath the Vertrek-inspired skin it utilises the same chassis architecture that underpins Ford’s Focus and C-Max ranges. The new Mk2 Kuga is bigger than its predecessor, and has an 82-litre larger boot, while the rear seats fold flat at the touch of a button.

Just as the Ford Focus is packed with tech, so is the Kuga – it features Ford’s SYNC in-car connectivity system, voice control, Active Park Assist to help with your parallel parking problems, and a blind spot warning system. And Ford is making a lot of noise about its new hand-free automatic tailgate, which can be opened and closed by kicking your foot under the rear bumper.

UK sales of the new Ford Kuga start in early 2013 and the most popular engine options will be 138bhp and 161bhp versions of the Blue Oval’s 2.0 TDCi diesel. A six-speed manual will be standard, but Ford’s twin-clutch Powershift transmission will be an option. And if you want petrol power, then you can pick the 1.6-litre Ecoboost engine already seen in the Focus and C-Max. Four-wheel drive is standard, and the Kuga features the Focus's Torque Vectoring Control system (which brakes the inside front wheel) to aid agility in corners.

‘Innovative technologies like the hands-free automatic tailgate clearly set the new Kuga apart from its competitors,’ said Ford of Europe’s chairman and CEO Stephen Odell. ‘But more importantly they provide customers with everyday advantages. The all-new Kuga is more spacious, dynamic and capable than the current model, which continues to be popular with our European customers.’

By Ben Pulman