REHEARSAL. Ford assumes the challenge of going to electricity with his puma gen-e

The Ford Puma stands out as one of the last American brand bestsellers in Europe. A small particular SUV in France for its motorization capable of resorting to E85, the famous superetanol with substantial savings in the pump. If this “Flexifuel” version was arrested last year, Ford is betting on this new “Gen-E” version to restore the appeal to its puma, along with light hybrid versions 48V always in the catalog.

We will quickly pass the design, with the main difference of the complete grid and the color of the body that marks a significant change for the front panel compared to the thermal versions. In the back, a slightly longer nozzle was installed, also to improve aerodynamics and win some independent.

A “gigabox” in the trunk

With this compact format, this Puma is still so practical. The 378 -liter trunk is hidden under its double bottom, a fairly gigantic space: 145 additional liters, enough to store a suitcase or two cabin bags. A “gigabox” much more imposing than the “megabox” of the thermal puma thanks to the absence of escape. And it remains completed by a small “fruit”, a 43 -liter space that allows you to store load cables under the hood in the front.

An effective interior

The interior resumes the good points of the redesigned version, with a 12 -inch screens of screens for meters, as well as for the touch screen. The last Ford System, Sync 4, is also part, with the wireless compatibility of Android Auto and Carplay.

The central console is released from cash controls (P, R, N and D), which are in the steering wheel. Enough to give way to the induction recharge, a little storage space and a small armrest. A pleasant interior and where it quickly takes its brands. The sunroof, panoramic and extends even for rear passengers, is equipped with a manual sun visor. It is practical to open it or close it in a flash, which also leaves the possibility of leaving the roof open, but with this protection against the sun, which rarely (never?) The case with an electric sunroof system.

Driving

In this configuration, the puma is still quite pleasant to drive. Certainly, we feel the additional weight of the batteries with firmer suspensions, but it is still comfortable and even logically earns in dynamism with its 168 horsepower engine and the immediate pair of electricity.

On the battery side, only a version offered with a 43.6 kWh package in net capacity. Enough to show 376 kilometers of theoretical autonomy. But Ford also mentions autonomy, always in a mixed cycle (that is, with driving in the city and in a fast track), but in an echo mode and no more than 105 km/h, which allows more than 400 kilometers to be performed. And even a little more than 520 kilometers in an urban cycle. Recharging the battery from 10% to 80% will only take 23 minutes, but it is difficult to really imagine traveling with this Puma Gen-e, or with quite close destinations, with the risk of multiplying the recharge stops on the road.

You can also take advantage of a more advanced regenerative braking mode and even a “a pedal” mode that slows the vehicle strongly when it releases the accelerator pedal.

What price?

This Puma Gen-E begins at 33,990 euros. Produced in Romania, it will be a priori eligible for the new 2025 ecological bonus, increased since July 1. It is still much more expensive than the “hybrid” of Puma that begins at 22,990 euros with 125 horsepower and in manual gearbox. We can even more compare the “GEN-E” with this engine in 155 horsepower and an automatic gearbox, sold from 25,590 euros.

In our Premium finish proof model, it is necessary to add 2,500 euros, to be at 36,500 euros. A finish that allows you to recover many modern equipment, such as hands -free and boot access, 18 -inch wheels, electrically folding mirrors or an B& 0 10 10 10 speaker sound system.

The yellow of our trial model is essential as a launch color, for free. Count between 600 and 1,250 euros for another color. Therefore, we will remember especially the panoramic roof, at 1,000 euros. Too bad, on the other hand, have to add a “winter” package for front seats and heating steering wheel, at 500 euros and a “advanced assistance” package, to 1,000 euros in the premium finish, to obtain some options: adaptive regulator, blind spot monitoring and 360 ° camera in particular. Final note: 38,990 euros.