Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 wins ‘Best 4x4 Car-derived Van’ for the second consecutive year

• Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 wins ‘Best 4x4 Car-derived Van’ for the second consecutive year
• Robust commercial SUV praised for its grip, ruggedness and affordability
• Priced from £10,095 (excl. VAT) – Duster is the most affordable new commercial SUV in the UK

The Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 has been named ‘Best 4x4 Car-derived Van’ for the second consecutive year at the VansA2Z Awards 2017, held yesterday at Twickenham Stadium.

Based on the popular Dacia Duster compact SUV, and launched at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2015, the Duster Duster Commercial 4x4 was praised by judges for its off-road capability, driving style and value for money. 

The Duster Commercial offers the perfect package for many tradesmen – based on the passenger car version of the vehicle yet with a 1,604-litre maximum load capacity and cost benefits thanks to its classification as an LCV.

Neil McIntee, Editor, VansA2Z.com, said: “Dacia has made an excellent return to the UK light commercial market and the 4x4 version of its Duster Commercial is so good we had to make it our 4x4 Car-derived Van of the Year for the second consecutive time. It feels well put together with on-road ride and handling that far exceed expectations, and is much more capable off-road than it appears on paper; all at a very appealing price point.”

Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re very proud to see the Duster Commercial 4x4 adding another trophy to its collection. The Duster Commercial 4x4 applies the Dacia philosophy to LCVs – providing a no-nonsense solution to businesses looking for an affordable and reliable vehicle that’s also capable of heading off-road when needed.”

The Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 has a flat load area in lieu of rear seats and a payload of 550kg. Available in two different trim levels – Ambiance and Lauréate – the Duster Commercial 4x4 receives Bluetooth connectivity, electric front windows and a heated rear screen even on entry-level versions. The Lauréate version adds features such as cruise control, leather steering wheel, alloy wheels, air conditioning and electric heated door mirrors. 

The Duster Commercial is offered with one business-oriented diesel engine – the dCi 110 unit, the best-selling Groupe Renault diesel powertrain, either as a 4x2 or a robust, go-anywhere 4x4. The 4x2 dCi 110 returns up to 64.2mpg (NEDC Combined), with CO2 emissions as low as 115 g/km and is available from £10,095 (excluding VAT) for the Ambiance entry-level trim.  

Meanwhile, the 4x4 dCi 110 returns up to 60.1mpg (NEDC Combined), with CO2 emissions as low as 123 g/km and is available from £11,795 (excluding VAT) for the Ambiance trim.

Dacia offers a comprehensive selection of low-priced option packs to help owners secure payloads and protect their vehicle during a life of hard work. 

There is a choice of steel or mesh bulkheads between the passenger and cargo areas; privacy film for the tailgate window and mudguards.

The VansA2Z Awards are decided by the expert editorial team at the independent commercial vehicle website VansA2Z.com. VansA2Z provides essential information for anyone looking to buy and kit-out a light commercial vehicle. 

The VansA2Z Awards seek to reward the best products, companies and services in the industry for their ability to make life easier, cleaner, safer and more efficient for light commercial vehicle operators in the UK.

The new updated Skoda Octavia to carry the torch into the future and continue high sales too.

• An even more streamlined design, new headlights with LED technology
• Reworked interior, optional colour-controllable LED ambient lighting
• New infotainment systems in a glass design
• ŠKODA Connect: mobile online services for improved assistance and infotainment
• New driver assistance systems for even greater safety and comfort
• Two TSI engines and three TDI engines ranging from 115 PS to 184 PS
• All-wheel drive for the top-of-the-range models, optional Dynamic Chassis Control
• Two vRS models: 2.0 TDI with 184 PS, 2.0 TSI with 230 PS
• The best rally car within its class: ŠKODA presents the WRC2 World Champion FABIA R5

An even more striking design, new equipment and state-of-the-art technology for assistance, infotainment and connectivity – the ŠKODA Octavia presents its new face for the first time. The comprehensive upgrade has been applied to the hatchback as well as the Estate.

It is the heart and soul of ŠKODA, it embodies all of the Czech car manufacturer’s strengths and lays the foundations for its success – the ŠKODA Octavia. 

This compact car offers interior space that is among the most generous in its segment and brings equipment and technology of a mid-size car into the compact class. Its design is striking, its quality is on the highest level, and above all it represents exceptional value for money.

The Octavia is ŠKODA’s top seller: since its market launch in 1996, the Czech car manufacturer has produced more than five million ŠKODA Octavias. 

In 2016, now in its third generation, the large compact car made up more than 40 per cent of ŠKODA’s total sales worldwide with 436,000 vehicles sold. 255,000 cars found buyers in Europe, 4.2 per cent more than in the previous year. In the UK the Octavia enjoyed its best ever year with 23,068 registrations, up 2% on the previous year, with more than 20% of those badged vRS (+18% on 2015). 

The model range has expanded: additions are the all-terrain Octavia Scout and vRS models, which – as with the higher-end variants – are increasingly appealing to our customers’ needs. Comprehensively upgraded, the Octavia hatchback and the Octavia Estate are now starting the second half of their life cycle.

Design

The ŠKODA design team has streamlined the Octavia’s lines even further. 

The new front end with wider radiator grille, which has been expanded by introducing additional headlights with a crystalline look, and the even wider air inlets with honeycomb structure in the redesigned bumper create a masculine and dynamic look – instilling the car with an instantly recognisable face. 

As an option, the headlights are available in full-LED technology with adaptive front headlights (AFS).

The LED tail lights come in a choice of two variants; the C-shaped lights now illuminate in a uniform manner across the surface. The upgraded ŠKODA Octavia has grown by 11mm (hatch) and 8mm (Estate) in length, and the width of its rear track has increased by 20 or 30 mm (depending on engine and rear axle).

The interior comes across as high-quality and functional, the multifunction display and the air-conditioning controls have been retouched slightly. Subtle lighting units in the doors (optional) provide ambient lighting which can be adjusted to one of ten different colours.

Infotainment systems and ŠKODA Connect

The infotainment systems in the ŠKODA Octavia are part of a new generation. Their capacitive displays react to even the lightest touch. All the infotainment systems (optional) feature a glass design, starting with the 8.0-inch Bolero unit. 

The top-of-the-range Columbus navigation system comes with a 9.2-inch display, provides passengers with a Wi-Fi hotspot and has an optional extra LTE module for super fast data transfer. In addition, Phonebox enables inductive smartphone charging.

The connectivity features are also groundbreaking. ŠKODA Connect offers a range of new mobile online services that are divided into two categories, with the Infotainment Online services providing information and entertainment, and the Care Connect services providing assistance and support. 

Other online services, including remote access to the car, operate using the ŠKODA Connect app on your smartphone. The SmartLink+ platform incorporates the Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink™ and SmartGate standards to pair the mobile phone with the car.

Driver assistance systems

The new generation of electronic assistance systems makes driving the upgraded ŠKODA Octavia even safer and more comfortable. 

They surpass the usual level in the compact segment by far – in typical ŠKODA style – and there is a wide range to choose from. Trailer Assist, the Predictive Pedestrian Protection function, Blind Spot Detect and Rear Traffic Alert are new to the portfolio. 

The same applies to Crew Protect Assist; it works together with Front Assist including the City Emergency Braking function. Park Assist comes in a new, enhanced configuration.

Engines and chassis

The range of engines consists of two TSI engines and three TDI engines; they combine strong performance with low consumption. Their power ranges from 115 PS to 184 PS.  

Besides manual gearboxes, DSG transmissions with six speeds are available for almost all of the engines; ŠKODA offers all-wheel drive for the 2.0 TDI. Optional Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is a highlight for the chassis – with it, the driver can regulate the character of the suspension by selecting the Comfort, Normal or Sport modes. All engines conform to the Euro 6 standard.

Interior space and equipment

When it comes to interior space, the ŠKODA Octavia continues to set benchmarks. The hatchback and the Estate each offer 1,782 mm of interior length and 73 mm of kneeroom in the rear. Their boot capacities measure 590 and 610 litres respectively, with the back seats folded down it’s 1,580/1,740 litres. For the Estate, an electric tailgate is available as an option.

Some new ideas have been added to the many ‘Simply Clever‛ features already offered by the ŠKODA Octavia to date: two USB ports in the rear, folding tray tables on the back of the front seats, bottle holders that make the opening of PET bottles easier, and a removable LED torch in the Estate’s boot. The heated steering wheel and customisable keys in particular ensure extra comfort and convenience.

The vRS models

At the top end of the upgraded Octavia portfolio are two vRS engine variants – the 2.0 TSI petrol and the 2.0 TDI diesel. The hatchback and the Estate combine their high performance with the great strengths of the model range and the new groundbreaking technology for the infotainment, connectivity and assistance systems.

The vRS models also present themselves in the new, streamlined design with the expressive four-eyed face. 

The headlights, fog lights and tail lights feature LED technology; details like the black radiator grille, the distinctive air ducts, the spoiler and the large exhaust pipes hint at the dynamic character. In the interior, there are vRS sports seats with leather/fabric covers (Alcantara® as an option), elegant decorative strips and ambient lighting.

For the ŠKODA Octavia RS 2.0 TSI, the power output has been increased to 230 PS, the top speed is 155 mph. The 184 PS 2.0 TDI wows with its efficiency – 62.8 mpg on the combined cycle (115 grams of CO2/km). The vRS models are available with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed DSG transmission.

The sports chassis lowers the body by 15 mm, the rear track is 30 mm wider than before. Wheel dimensions range from 18 to 19 inches. The ESC stability system with XDS+ electronic inter-wheel lock, and Performance Mode Select with the Performance Sound Generator (optional) complete the dynamic character of the upgraded Octavia vRS models.

The ŠKODA FABIA R5 rally car

At the press event for the upgraded Octavia in Vienna, ŠKODA presents yet another highlight – the FABIA R5, the winning rally car in the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2).

Having started seven times in the WRC 2 with the ŠKODA FABIA R5, the Finnish works crew Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm scooped the world championship drivers’ classification with four victories and two other podium finishes. 

In total, the car won 10 of the 13 world championship rallies. In addition, ŠKODA won the continental championships in South America, Asia-Pacific and in the Middle East as well as ten national titles in the 2016 season. 

“The many national and international titles and victories show that we have created a real winners’ car with the ŠKODA FABIA R5.,” said Christian Strube, ŠKODA Board Member for Technical Development. “The entire ŠKODA team is very proud of the extraordinary successes of our motorsport team.”

The best rally car within its class is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine, which produces 205 kW (290 PS) and 420 Nm of torque. A sequential five-speed transmission transfers the power to the 4×4 drive system that uses mechanical differentials on both axles. 

The wheel dimensions are 15 inches on gravel and 18 inches on tarmac. In accordance with regulations, the minimum weight for the rally car, which is just short of four metres long, is 1,230 kg; the price for customer teams is 180,000 euros.

The Dacia Duster, Small Sports utility Vehicle, is another winner at this years annual Green Apple Awards

• Dacia Duster collects Small SUV title at the 2016 Green Apple Awards
• Second consecutive time Duster has won the award
• Praised for its no-frills approach to motoring
• Sixth annual awards from the not-for-profit organisation

The Dacia Duster won the Small SUV title at the sixth annual Green Apple Awards this morning at the Houses of Parliament. The ‘shockingly affordable’ Duster was voted into first place for the second consecutive year thanks to its affordability and ruggedness and running costs.

The automotive-based honours at The Green Apple Awards, organised by the Midlands-based The Green Organisation, are judged by members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers. Marks were awarded by judges for the way a car drives and behaves in the real world, away from the testing laboratory.

One of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers said: "It’s cheap, it’s cheerful, it’s rugged and does what it says on the tin without any fuss or needless frills. The running costs are great, as is the price to buy or lease.”

Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re delighted the Duster has once again been recognised by such a well-respected environmental group as the Green Organisation. The Duster underwent a facelift earlier this year and its popularity amongst the British public has shown no signs of slowing.

“It has been challenging preconceptions since launch thanks to Dacia’s no frills approach to motoring and impressive reliability. The Green Apple judges have proved just how economical the Duster is, too.”

Dacia has been a real success story in the UK since its launch in 2013 finding over 88,000 customers thanks to the brand’s clear value for money and no-nonsense approach. Duster, the tough SUV, has struck a particular chord with Britons having seen 6,905 sales in the first 10 months of the year alone – up 20.4 per cent on the same period last year.

The multiple award-winning Duster has been a part of the Dacia range since the brand’s launch in the UK in January 2013 and is the most affordable SUV on the UK market – priced from £9,495 with the Green Apple Award-winning dCi 110 4x2 starting at £12,495. The dCi 110 4x2 outputs 115g/km of CO2 and offers up to 64.2mpg (NEDC Combined). The Duster is available in a choice of four trim levels, with 1.6-litre naturally aspirated or 1.2-litre turbo charged petrol or 1.5-litre dCi diesel engines and in 4x2 or 4x4 set-ups.

The Green Organisation, based in Northamptonshire, was established in 1994 as an international, independent, non-profit, non-political, non-activist environment group, dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world and invites entries from all parts of industry for its annual Green Apple Awards.

Ford launches new ST derived Kuga and updates the model, of which it is the start of five new or refreshed SUV's for Ford.

• New Ford Kuga SUV offers technology that enables drivers to voice activate apps from their smartphone, park hands-free in side-by-side spaces and avoid collisions
• Sporty exterior features bold new trapezoidal grille, new headlights incorporating LED daytime running lights, and new colours Guard Grey and vibrant Copper Pulse
• Ford’s 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine delivers 64.2 mpg and 115g/km CO₂; Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive enhances grip, especially in slippery conditions
• Meticulously crafted interior offers simpler controls and improved comfort with heated steering wheel. Adaptive Front Lighting System tailors Kuga headlight beam to environment
• Technologically advanced Kuga is one of five all-new or redesigned Ford vehicles that will compete in the SUV and crossover space in the next three years

The new Ford Kuga delivers an even more technologically advanced, refined and affordable sports utility vehicle (SUV), making driving simpler, safer and more enjoyable for growing numbers of SUV customers in the UK.

The new Kuga offers Ford’s sophisticated SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, innovative driver assistance technologies, an ergonomic and comfortable interior, and powerful and efficient engines including Ford’s 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel that returns 64.2 mpg and 115g/km CO₂. *

The new Kuga also features Ford’s Perpendicular Parking technology that helps drivers park hands‑free in spaces alongside other cars; an enhanced version of the Active City Stop collision avoidance system; and Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System for optimised visibility in low light. 

Further advanced technologies include Hands-Free Liftgate and Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive (AWD).

“New Kuga offers cutting-edge new features and technologies that will help drivers stay connected, comfortable, safe and stylish on the road,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “The sophisticated redesign has given Kuga a fresh and modern feel, while SYNC 3 enables drivers to communicate with their vehicle and connected devices in seamless ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.”

Seamlessly connected with SYNC 3

The new Ford Kuga enables drivers to control audio and navigation functions plus connected smartphones using simple, more conversational voice commands, with Ford’s new SYNC 3 connectivity system. Ford has drawn on more than 22,000 comments, and insights gained from research clinics and surveys to ensure the new version is the most customer‑centric system to date.

SYNC 3 delivers faster performance, simplified commands, and supports five additional languages. ** Simply by pushing a button and saying “I need a coffee,” “I need petrol,” and “I need to park,” drivers can locate nearby cafés, petrol stations or car parks, and find train stations, airports, and hotels.

Kuga drivers can operate SYNC 3’s 8-inch touchscreen in the same way that they use their smartphones. A new interface features larger, easier to operate buttons and enables pinch and swipe gestures for the first time.

iPhone users can activate Apple CarPlay, the smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car allowing drivers to make phone calls, access music, send and receive messages, get directions optimised for traffic conditions, and more while they stay focused on the road. Android™ users can activate Android Auto™. Android Auto makes apps and services that drivers already know and love, accessible in safer and seamless ways including Google Search, Google Maps and Google Play. Software can be updated over-the-air via Wi-Fi.

SYNC 3 also delivers SYNC AppLink for customers, enabling voice-activation from the driver’s seat of a range of smartphone apps that include Glympse, Aupeo, Spotify, MyBoxMan, HearMeOut, AccuWeather, and Los 40 Principales.

“Whether you are craving your morning cappuccino on your daily commute or covering the cost of a journey by transporting a package, SYNC 3 brings to life innovative new ways of staying connected on the move,” saidChristof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering, Ford of Europe. “Designed to complement modern smartphones, with an intuitive 8‑inch touch screen, SYNC 3 understands more natural speech, is faster, and offers an easier-to-read graphical interface.”

Sophisticated technology for stress-free parking

The new Ford Kuga makes driving and parking simpler for customers using sophisticated Ford driver assistance technologies. New Perpendicular Parking functionality enhances the semi-autonomous Active Park Assist technology specified by almost half of Kuga customers last year. Using additional ultrasonic sensors, Perpendicular Parking at the push of a button enables drivers to locate parking spaces alongside other cars as well as parallel to the road, and steers the vehicle into them while the driver controls the accelerator and brake.

Additional sensors enable technologies that also help Kuga drivers as they manoeuvre out of parking spaces:

• Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them. Operating with radar at a range of up to 40 metres (131 feet), the system issues three warning signals if it detects a vehicle approaching from either side
• Park-Out Assist helps drivers as they exit a parallel parking space. After the driver has chosen either the left or right hand side the system operates the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake

New Kuga offers an enhanced version of Ford’s Active City Stop collision avoidance system, which now operates at speeds of up to 31 mph, increased from 19 mph. Active City Stop uses sensors at the front of the vehicle to look for stationary objects in the road ahead and pre-charges the brakes if the vehicle is approaching an object too quickly. If the driver still does not respond the system reduces engine torque and automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of collisions, or avoid them altogether.

The latest generation Ford MyKey technology allows new Kuga owners to programme a key for younger drivers that can inhibit incoming phone calls; restrict top speed; prevent deactivation of driver assistance and safety features; reduce audio system maximum volume, and disable the audio system altogether if occupants are not using safety belts. The enhanced MyKey system offers a greater number of choices in both the speed limiter and speed minder settings.

Stylish Kuga

The new Kuga features Ford’s latest design language for a bold and sporty look that is shared with the EcoSport compact SUV and new Edge large SUV. A large upper trapezoidal grille and a smaller lower grille are flanked by sleek new headlamps incorporating LED daytime running lights and complemented by stylish fog lamps.

Restyled taillights complete the sporty look, while a new range of 17-, 18- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs also are available in variety of finishes including Luster Nickel. Two new colours, Guard Grey and the vibrant Copper Pulse, are offered throughout the range. A power-operated retractable tow bar automatically stores itself out of sight below the rear bumper when not in use, to retain the new Kuga’s sporty looks.

The new Kuga’s meticulously crafted interior has been refined to offer a more ergonomic, stylish and comfortable experience for occupants. 

The steering wheel and air-conditioning controls are even more intuitive, and feature fewer and more easily distinguishable buttons and switches, making the controls easier to recognise and navigate. The steering wheel is also offered with heated leather to improve comfort in cold weather, while all automatic new Kuga models will feature paddle-shift controls that enable drivers to manually select gears while keeping their hands on the wheel.

New convenience features make Kuga even more user-friendly; an electronic parking brake is effortless to operate and frees room for improved storage in a centre console that now also features a storage area capable of accommodating a variety of bottles and cups, and a new USB connection point for integrating and charging mobile devices. A door lock indicator now tells drivers at a glance whether the doors are locked.

The New Kuga also offers Hands-Free Liftgate that can be opened or closed using a kicking motion beneath the rear bumper. The technology, which was specified by more than 1-in-3 Kuga customers in Europe last year, helps parents to easily access the boot when returning to their vehicle with shopping, pushchairs or toddlers.

The Ford Performance-inspired new Kuga ST-Line and luxurious new Kuga Vignale also are available for the first time, offering customers greater choice of styling and specification as part of the most comprehensive Kuga line-up ever.

Kuga ST-Line delivers bold exterior and interior styling including unique alloy wheels and sport seat designs, and joins the Fiesta ST-Line, Focus ST-Line and Mondeo ST-Line as part of Ford’s new range of ST-Line models. The new Kuga ST-Line also will offer the sportiest Kuga driving dynamics yet, with chassis enhancements including optimised suspension and steering for reduced body roll and sharper responses.

The upscale Kuga Vignale is offered in exclusive specification including unique Vignale pearlescent Milano Grigio exterior colour, with the model’s premium character further heightened with unique hexagonal-quilted Windsor leather featuring prominent tuxedo-style stitching for the seats and door interiors.

Vignale is the highest expression of the Ford brand in Europe; a contemporary, upscale product and ownership experience bringing together award-winning design, high-quality craftsmanship, advanced technologies and exclusive specifications. Kuga Vignale follows the Ford Mondeo Vignale, S-MAX Vignale and Edge Vignale in Europe.

Powerful and fuel-efficient engines

The new Kuga features Ford’s latest TDCi diesel and EcoBoost petrol engines for optimised performance alongside low CO₂ emissions for reduced running costs.

Offering 64.2 mpg and 115g/km CO₂, Ford’s 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine with six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive (FWD) delivers a 5 per cent fuel efficiency improvement compared with the outgoing 120PS 2.0-litre TDCi.

Further sophisticated diesel powertrains include:

• 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi 6-speed PowerShift FWD offering 58.8 mpg and 124g/km CO₂
• 150PS 2.0-litre TDCi 6-speed manual FWD offering 60.1 mpg and 122g/km CO₂, 6-speed manual AWD offering 54.3 mpg and 135g/km CO₂, or 6-speed PowerShift AWD offering 54.3 mpg and 134g/km CO₂
• 180PS 2.0-litre TDCi 6-speed manual AWD offering 54.3 mpg and 135g/km CO₂, or 6-speed PowerShift AWD offering 54.3 mpg and 134g/km CO₂

Ford’s 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre TDCi engines feature advanced new diesel engine technologies including a lean NO_X trap for cleaner exhaust emissions, components with a special Diamond Like Coating that reduces friction, and a sophisticated Variable Nozzle Turbocharger for enhanced engine breathing.

Ford’s turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engines feature advanced technologies including high-pressure direct fuel injection and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing. Kuga EcoBoost powertrain options include:

• 120PS and 150PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost 6-speed manual FWD offering 44.8 mpg and 145g/km CO₂
• 182PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost 6-speed automatic AWD offering 37.7 mpg and 173g/km CO₂

Ford fuel-saving technologies offered across the range include Auto-Start-Stop and Smart Regenerative Charging that selectively engages the alternator and charges the battery when the vehicle is coasting and braking to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost.

Enhanced visibility and safety

The latest Ford technologies and sophisticated body engineering help drivers see more clearly and enhance safety on the road for new Kuga occupants and other road users.

Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System is available for the first time on Kuga. The system monitors ambient light conditions and automatically optimises visibility by adjusting the beam angle of the new bi-xenon headlights to one of seven settings depending on the vehicle’s speed, steering angle and distance to an object in front.

The Adaptive Front Lighting System features a Weather-Dependent Lighting mode that automatically adjusts headlights to help drivers spot roadside hazards in extreme heavy rain. After detecting a downpour, the system shortens and widens the headlight beam to better illuminate the side of the road and reduce glare for other drivers from flooded roads.

The new Kuga’s sculpted bonnet features a wider, uninterrupted central dome that not only serves to complement Kuga’s sporty new looks, but also incorporates a structural design that more closely controls deformability and flexibility of the bonnet, improving pedestrian protection in an accident. The bonnet and rear liftgate also have been re-engineered to help mitigate damage to more expensive-to-replace components following a collision.

New Kuga also offers advanced Ford technologies, including:

• Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive, which adjusts the amount of torque sent to each wheel, optimising handling and traction especially in slippery conditions
• Curve Control, which mitigates against loss of control should a driver enter a bend with too much speed
• Torque Vectoring Control, which enhances the driving experience by applying a small amount of braking to inside wheels to assist traction and stability when cornering

“Sophisticated technologies like our Intelligent All Wheel Drive enhance safety and confidence for our customers,” Bakaj said. “Intelligent All Wheel Drive measures how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface and can make adjustments in less than 20 milliseconds – 20 times quicker than it takes to blink.”

The new Ford Kuga follows the introduction of the larger Edge SUV earlier this year, and an updated compact EcoSport SUV last year. Ford is bolstering its SUV line-up just as it has been predicted by industry sales analyst IHS that sales in the SUV segment are poised to increase to 27 percent of all vehicles sold in Europe by 2020.

New Kuga and the Edge are among five all-new or redesigned Ford vehicles that will compete in the SUV and crossover space in the next three years.

Kuga spearheaded the company’s SUV expansion in the UK after first going on sale in 2008, and sales increased to 32,926 in 2015 – up by over 35 per cent compared with 2014 (24,353). Kuga sales in September 2016 grew by 815 units (16 per cent) year-on-year to 5,906, with 29,217 year to date sales, making it the best 10 months and September since launch.

Ford EcoSport sales hit 2,403 units in September, with the Titanium S model creating 2,371 orders since its introduction in March 2016. Ford Edge customer orders have exceeded 1,440 since the model’s European launch. Ford sold 43,129 SUVs in the first three-quarters of 2016 – more than a 30 per cent improvement on the same period last year.

“SUVs have grown from a tiny niche in Europe to one of the most significant automotive trends of the past decade,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. “Every time someone predicts SUV sales will cool down, they are proven wrong. That’s because SUVs have widespread appeal with men and woman, young and older people.”