The Ford Puma is back for 2020...

[FT-1]

Ford Puma ST spotted completely undisguied:

Not many differences from the ST-Line, but visual upgrades include a front splitter, redesigned lower grille with exposed intercooler, twin pipes poking out the rear and a re-profiled rear spoiler.

 

[G.T.Ace]

I think I'd actually be okay with it if they named it differently.

 

[darioL]

After an initial disdain, for the name being used for a compact Suv rather than a cheap, young coupe...well i saw several of them, in red and blue and its a really nice car. If i was on the market for a B segment Suv it would be either this or a Mazda.

 

[Keef]

After an initial disdain, for the name being used for a compact Suv rather than a cheap, young coupe...well i saw several of them, in red and blue and its a really nice car. If i was on the market for a B segment Suv it would be either this or a Mazda.

SUV? This thing appears to be the same height as that little hatchback on steelies in the first pic. What is that, a Nissan Versa?

Also, what country is this in? Why are there European license plates, but E-85, but cab-over trucks, but a Ford Explorer? How did that Explorer get there? I didn't know E-85 existed anywhere but the US and Canada.

 

[VXR]

@Keef I believe the one on steelies is another prototype Puma. The yellow small van is a Fiat, so it's almost certainly some European country.

 

[FT-1]

SUV? This thing appears to be the same height as that little hatchback on steelies in the first pic. What is that, a Nissan Versa?

Also, what country is this in? Why are there European license plates, but E-85, but cab-over trucks, but a Ford Explorer? How did that Explorer get there? I didn't know E-85 existed anywhere but the US and Canada.

From another angle, you can see that car is a 4th-gen Ford Focus:

Bear in mind the ST has lower suspension than regular models, so its height will be more comparable to a conventional hatchback.

Here is the article with the full set of images, which can help you decipher which country this was taken in. Based on seeing Lappland in the picture above, I'm gonna go with Sweden.

 

[Famine]

Also, what country is this in?

Everyone does cold-weather testing at Arjeplog in Sweden. There's an entire industry built around it there, and the seasonal worker population outnumbers the local population by 4 to 1. It's also reportedly quite hostile to wandering car-paps, as a result of wanting to keep all the car manufacturers - who wander around the area in non-camo testing prototypes - coming back year on year.

But the photo was taken in this gas station 50 miles southeast.

 

[darioL]

SUV? This thing appears to be the same height as that little hatchback on steelies in the first pic. What is that, a Nissan Versa?

Also, what country is this in? Why are there European license plates, but E-85, but cab-over trucks, but a Ford Explorer? How did that Explorer get there? I didn't know E-85 existed anywhere but the US and Canada.

man i saw it IRL several times and it is a SUV as much as a cx3 Mazda or a Peugeot 2008 is a Suv...

 

[Keef]

cx3 Mazda

This is the only one of those we get in the US. Clearly we have different standards for what is an "SUV" than Europe. The CX3 is just a tiny, tall hatchback in the US. I guess we'd use the word Crossover, which is basically a hatchback with AWD and a higher seating position. The CX5, the midsize class, is about where SUVs begin in North America.

 

[05XR8]

I guess the loose term for the small crossover/SUV, is "CUV". It's been used throughout Gtplanet forums. I use it at times.

 

[darioL]

This is the only one of those we get in the US. Clearly we have different standards for what is an "SUV" than Europe. The CX3 is just a tiny, tall hatchback in the US. I guess we'd use the word Crossover, which is basically a hatchback with AWD and a higher seating position. The CX5, the midsize class, is about where SUVs begin in North America.

well they market it as an SUV, i work in automotive industry, those are B segment SUVs... dunno what to say.

 

[homeforsummer]

Also, what country is this in? Why are there European license plates, but E-85, but cab-over trucks, but a Ford Explorer? How did that Explorer get there? I didn't know E-85 existed anywhere but the US and Canada.

The first-gen Explorer was sold in Europe.

 

[FT-1]

197hp Ford Puma ST is official, debuting in this striking shade of green:

Out of all the variants released, this is probably closest to delivering thrills in a similar vein to the original.

 

[Keef]

2022 Ford Puma WRC hybrid.

 

[homeforsummer]

Hah. I saw photos of that on Twitter and just assumed it was some new Ken Block Fiesta or something.

 

[FT-1]

A Puma-badged World Rally Car has been the best use of the name since it was revived for the crossover. Looks far more reminiscent of the original with the lower profile too!

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Official video from Ford Europe:



Though I understand that it is a prototype, I find it curious that this Puma has the same glasshouse, doors and side profile as the Fiesta test car that was seen testing recently. The rear end also looks to have been recycled from the Fiesta aside from the (admittedly nice-looking) lights and tailgate.



Overall, looking good so far, but I have to wonder how closely the final 2022-spec car will resemble the road-going Puma once it takes to the stages.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

Yeah it looks like it's just the old Fiesta body with Puma lights

You can see the Fiesta window here. They just put the wrap over it to make it look more like the Puma's greenhouse shape

 

[Keef]

Makes sense. I wonder if they've done this just because it's a prototype or if ultimately it doesn't really matter as long as it fits the regs which the Fiesta already did. Good eye @VulcanSpirit. I've obviously never seen a Puma in person so I didn't pick up on those differences through the camo.

 

[Cschwartz12]

Guys, just bought mine yesterday!!!! I am in love with it, design, the intelligent and minimal interior design, quite simple actually, but with everything you may need, and the outside is just a fresh different look from all other boring cars you see on the street nowadays. Anyhow, I love it, and sure I understand that's a huge diff. from our old dear Puma's but... I love it! hehehe

 

[Keef]

I've always really liked this thing and have been disappointed that Ford never brought it to the US. This is exactly the type of small car that does sell in America - something with a cute or sporty personality, something with a little design flair. Like Mini. Turns out the size of the Puma is comparable to the Jeep Renegade which sells well, the Mini Cooper four-door which is actually smaller is less cargo space, the Kia Rio hatchback which is smaller and sells well, and the upcoming Volvo EX30. To be fair, the Puma is technically in a size category one smaller than the most popular compact category in North America but I think it's close enough to gain some traction especially since it's a genuinely attactive car. It already offers a ~150hp drivetrain which is comparable to our market as well. The ST is something a lot of enthusiasts want, as that tiny but sporty hatchback died years ago when Ford stopped selling the Fiesta ST here.

 

[Cschwartz12]

I've always really liked this thing and have been disappointed that Ford never brought it to the US. This is exactly the type of small car that does sell in America - something with a cute or sporty personality, something with a little design flair. Like Mini. Turns out the size of the Puma is comparable to the Jeep Renegade which sells well, the Mini Cooper four-door which is actually smaller is less cargo space, the Kia Rio hatchback which is smaller and sells well, and the upcoming Volvo EX30. To be fair, the Puma is technically in a size category one smaller than the most popular compact category in North America but I think it's close enough to gain some traction especially since it's a genuinely attactive car. It already offers a ~150hp drivetrain which is comparable to our market as well. The ST is something a lot of enthusiasts want, as that tiny but sporty hatchback died years ago when Ford stopped selling the Fiesta ST here.

Could not agree more, cannot understand why it’s not available in US, or even South America would also be a huge market for this one.