The new Kuga is Ford's first entry into the highly competitive crossover market. Ford claims that it promises a blend of rewarding on-road driving quality and surprising off-road capability.

Ford will launch the new Kuga crossover vehicle with an option of two or four-wheel-drive in June and we will have to wait for prices until then.

The new Ford Kuga is based unashamedly on Ford's acclaimed C-car architecture – well proven in both the Ford Focus and the Ford C-MAX. With Kuga, the designers and engineers have successfully integrated key driver and passenger requirements for a niche model into the distinctive new design. Ford claims that the Kuga is well balanced and with good proportions. It believes that the dynamic Kuga provides spacious accommodation for driver and passengers, despite being based on a compact footprint.

Ford has provided a high quality interior to complement the exterior in what is a practical and contemporary vehicle. These styling elements combined with the new drive systems and proven engine are a clear invitation to customers to 'Feel the Difference'.

Kuga comes with full-time, intelligent All-Wheel-Drive (AWD). A Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD) model is also available for those drivers attracted by the style and presence of Kuga but not requiring AWD capability. Both versions will be available in Ireland when the new Kuga arrives in June.

The new Kuga is ideally suited for the upcoming new car tax regime in Ireland. With its best-in-class CO2 emissions performance of 169g/km, the vehicle will be placed in the 24 per cent VRT D band. Under the pre-July VRT regime, the car will attract a VRT rate of 30 per cent, that's a six per cent higher rate.

As with Ford's most recent new vehicles, the Kuga comes with life-saving ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as standard. The company now offers six passenger models with ESP as standard on the Irish market. Ford remains the leader in the provision of this safety technology, which will be compulsory on all passenger cars in Europe by 2012.

In addition to ESP, the Kuga comes with combined Anti Rollover Mitigation (ARM), and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), both significant driver assistance technologies, plus all Kuga models are equipped with a 'Ford Power' start button.

Full details on the price and specifications of the Kuga for the Irish market will be issued when the car arrives in Ireland in June.

"The crossover/compact SUV segment in Ireland has seen significant growth over the last couple of years and we are delighted to have such a great offering as the new Kuga to compete in this vibrant segment," said Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland. "We believe the Kuga's handsome and sporty exterior, coupled with Ford's proven driving quality, will be a winning combination for the new model in Ireland. We expect the Kuga to attract many new style-conscious drivers who will be new to Ford."

The JS segment/Compact SUV market in Ireland has grown to almost 7,000 units in the first quarter of 2008 – that is a 20 per cent increase over the 2007 figures for the same period.

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