FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

The all-new Ford Kuga is set to shatter the myth that an SUV cannot be efficient, safe, high-tech and capable all at once. The Kuga will be launched in the second quarter of 2013 in Malaysia. The estimated selling price is around RM 168,000 on-the-road with insurance in Peninsular Malaysia for private owner. The pre-bookings started since 10 May 2013.

Ford’s newest SUV is the centrepiece of the company’s strategy to expand into one of the fastest-growing segments by offering high levels of fuel efficiency and safety, as well as segment-leading smart technologies and a surprising array of standard features. 

The all-new Ford Kuga’s other smart features include:- 

• 1.6L EcoBoost petrol engine with 132kW with 240Nm of torque
• Hands-free power liftgate opens with a wave of your foot beneath the rear bumper – no need to fumble for the key when your hands are full
• Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, including exclusive Torque Vectoring Control for more precise handling
• Segment-first voice-activated Ford SYNC connectivity

“Customers today are chasing value-for-money and the all-new Ford Kuga delivers,” said David Westerman, regional manager, Asia Pacific, Ford Export & Growth Operations. “With the EcoBoost petrol engine standard in the all-new Kuga Titanium, customers now have even more reasons to consider the all-new Ford Kuga.” 

Apart from a range of new features and enhanced driving ability, the all-new Ford Kuga has much improved packaging and more interior space, which has been achieved with the same 2690mm wheelbase as the previous model, the Ford Escape. 

Much of this added space in the all-new Ford Kuga has been devoted to the rear passenger compartment and luggage area to ensure the SUV is a complete family vehicle during the week and has room enough to be a spacious lifestyle getaway vehicle at weekends.

Over the weekend on last week from 11-15 July 2012, Sime Darby Auto Connexion has showed off completely redesigned and technology packed all-new Ford Focus at Sunway Pyramid, Blue Concourse, Lower Ground 2 in Malaysia.

Accordingly, the all-new Ford Focus sets a new standard in the mid-size segment with its new smart technologies, improved fuel economy, great design, responsive performance and unique safety features.

Ford also announced that the Malaysia market price will range between RM120,000 to RM135,000 for the four all-new Focus 2.0L Ti-VCT high-series models:-

- 4-Door 2.0L Ti-VCT Titanium

- 5-Door 2.0L Ti-VCT Sport

- 4-Door 2.0L Ti-VCT Titanium+

- 5-Door 2.0L Ti-VCT Sport+

All customers pre-ordering an all-new Ford Focus now in Malaysia will have a chance to win an all-new Focus (hatchback) in leading up to the Malaysia launch this year. They will also receive shopping vouchers worth RM500 upon registering the vehicle.

“The all-new Ford Focus represents the strengths and benefits of our global One Ford strategy in serving our customers across the region,” said David Westerman, regional manager, Asia Pacific, Ford Export & Growth Operations.

“We’ve gone further in every aspect of this next-generation vehicle to give our customers smart technologies, safety, quality and fuel efficiency beyond their expectations. We are confident that Malaysian drivers will love the performance, design and handling of this fun, smart car.”

The all-new Focus features a wide array of advanced features and smart technologies that are first-in-segment, including Ford’s award-winning voice-activated SYNC© connectivity package, Active Park Assist, Active City Stop and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). The Active City Stop and BLIS are the safety feature that similar to the new Volvo car series. Apart from Volvo cars, Ford is the second automaker that does it so far.

Ford SYNC provides hands-free, voice activated in-car connectivity. This award-winning system allows drivers to make calls, send and receive text messages and play their favourite music via voice commands and a steering wheel-mounted control – all with eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

At the touch of a button, the all-new Ford Focus driver can Active Park Assist and parallel park the car totally hands-free, as this system uses sensors around the Focus to help identify an appropriate spot and then automatically steer it into the space. The driver controls the accelerator, brake and gears.

The Active City Stop collision-mitigation system provides drivers additional, enhanced safety by monitoring the road ahead for stationary traffic and breaking automatically if sensors detect the car in front has stopped unexpectedly.

At speeds up to 30 km/h, a sensor scans the area ahead of the Focus for possible obstacles. If the Focus approaches a braking, slower-moving or stationary vehicle in front and it determines that a collision is likely, the brakes are pre-charged. If the driver remains inactive (no steering or braking input), the car applies the brakes automatically and reduces engine torque.

Ford’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) improves driver awareness by alerting them to situations when a passing vehicle is hidden in their blind spot zones on both left and right sides of the vehicle.

The all-new Focus boasts a completely new Duratec Ti-VCT GDi petrol engine with 6-speed PowerShift (dual clutch) automatic transmission that delivers 20% more power than the previous model, while significantly improving fuel economy.

The all-new Focus also features the Active Grille Shutter system – which uses vents to automatically control airflow through the grille to the cooling system and engine – to significantly reduce drag and help reduce Focus wind noise at speed while contributing to improved fuel efficiency.

All-new Ford Focus owners will also appreciate the convenience of its 10,000Km service intervals. And as with all Ford passenger vehicles available in Malaysia, the all-new Focus will come with Ford’s Extended Service Plan (ESP) to provide added peace of mind to customers at no extra cost.

Ford ESP is a free maintenance programme that covers parts and labour for up to three years or 60,000Km. In addition to routine inspection and maintenance services, Ford’s ESP covers free replacements for normal wear-and-tear, including spark plugs, shock absorbers, engine belts, engine hoses, brake pads, brake linings and wiper blades.

Additional coverage includes replacement of fuel filters, engine air filters, brake fluids and engine coolant. These replacements are included in Ford’s ESP at no extra charge and only original manufacturer (OEM) parts are used.

For even more protection, standard coverage for the all-new Focus also includes a 3-year or 100,000 km bumper-to-bumper new-vehicle limited warranty on selected items.

Ken Block is back with his Gymkhana act – GYMKHANA 5. This time with the theme of “Ultimate Urban Playground; San Francisco.” The video shot in actual streets of San Francisco, California. The act, focus on fast pace action and Ken’s  precision driving skills was filmed over 4 days. The challenging landscape selected in San Francisco gives opportunity for Ken Block to show off his skills and setting another benchmark of his Gymkhana series. Check out the video below, do not miss the scene at 5:40 ! The video ended with a drift action on the moving floating platform in the near the shore of San Francisco. Dirt Bikers fans will should check out this video, as it features a special appearance by  Travis Pastrana.

Ford has revealed its production ready, Ford Fiesta ST in Geneva 2012. What’s so special about the ST version it’s has been fitted with a 1.6L Ecoboost inline-4 engine that pumping out 180ps with 240Nm of torque. To give you a better picture of that, the power is similar to the Volkswagen Polo GTI which basically has 10Nm of torque more. Just like the VW Polo GTI, the Ford Fiesta ST will do 0-100km/h in less than 7 seconds. Unlike the VW, the American automaker fitted the Fiesta ST with a 6 speed manual gear box instead. The top speed stands at 220km/h.

The Ford Fiesta looks great as well, inside & outside. The front headlamp is equipped with daylight LED, a meaner front fascia. The car comes standard with a set of twin tailpipe on the rear with a diffuser at the bumper and some tweak on the rear lights. Also notice, there’s some red calliper on the disc brakes. Inside, there will be a pair of sports semi bucket seats in leather with red stitching plus a nice ST steering wheel. Not to forget Ford SYNC infotainment system with voice control.

The Ford Fiesta ST will obviously look & handles in a sportier manner. The car is developed by the Ford’s RS team. The suspension of the car is lowered by 15mm lower from standard. Ford will fit the Fiesta ST with the enhance Torque Vectoring control system and 3 different Electronic Stability modes. Accordingly, the car was tested on the Nürburgring race track as well. Hence, I think the ride will be stiff and harsh!

With all the high tech technologies to handles the engine delivers the power to the front wheel driven Ford Fiesta ST. We will believe it will be Ford’s answer to the VW Polo GTI.

Photo Gallery: Ford Fiesta ST 180PS 1.6-litre EcoBoost

Based on the survey conducted in UK, Honda cars are found to be the best-equipped to deal with potholes on “UK roads” (Please note: Not Malaysian road. Anyway, we expect the rate will be higher if the survey is conducted in Malaysia).

In the details of the survey, only 1.4% of Honda owners emerged to have to make a claim due to suspension or axle damage, which is the lowest follow by Toyota and Hyundai.

The survey results:-

Most resilient brands
1. Honda
2. Toyota
3. Hyundai
4. Nissan
5. Kia
6. Mitsubishi
7. Mini
8. Suzuki
9. Ford
10. Mazda

Least resilient brands
1. Chrysler
2. Smart
3. Mercedes-Benz
4. Land Rover
5. Jaguar
6. Saab
7. Fiat
8. BMW
9. Seat
10. Vauxhall

According to Duncan McClure Fisher of WarrantyDirect.co.uk, for luxury brands, such as Jaguar, Mercedes and Land Rover all featured in the least-resilient list. He expressed that surprisingly the high-end manufacturers are just as vulnerable, if not more so, than ‘value’ manufacturers.

Back to us, what you think about your Honda? Is it pothole-proof as describe as comparing to other manufacturers?