BRITAIN’S best-selling car has had a makeover – as its bosses hope to retain it’s most-sold crown for the third time.
Ford’s Puma ST took the top spot last year as car fans parted with hard-earned dosh to call it their own.
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And now the new-look motor has a whole load of changes and additions as the line goes hybrid-only to form the new whip’s refresh – ready for punters to pounce on.
Significant changes have been made to the interior and exterior of the four-wheeled favourite but a less potent engine change could see some users disappointed with the news.
The Puma ST previously had a commanding 197bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, but will now be exclusively powered by a 1.0-litre unit.
And the new engine – which was an option for punters last year – will be joined by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, so drivers will have to wave goodbye to a manual Puma ST.
However, old-school drivers – who wouldn’t touch a car without a manual gearbox – can still cop a Ford Puma with either 124bhp or 148bhp from the mild-hybrid engine, but it’s only an entry-level model with a six-speed manual gearbox, reports Autocar.
The exterior has been changed and modelled on the now-retired Fiesta, the Ford badge takes centre stage on the grille and new restyled LED headlights hope to turn the heads of passersby.
Other changes include a new ‘floating’ 12.0in touchscreen which powers the car makers Sync 4 infotainment system – and Ford bosses claim it has “twice the computing power” as their previous four-year old counterpart.
Climate control and heated seat soft buttons have been installed with an aim to clean up the design – removing physical ones – and a wireless phone charging pad awaits busy drivers on the move.
As part of the companies new-look range, the motor’s EV version will now be rebranded with a name change after Ford confirmed the electric motor will be called the Gen-E.
The Ford Puma was their best selling car for the last two years, after stamping out it’s previous champion – the Fiesta – and Ford bosses told Autocar that the motor will remain on sale “for many years” following the release of the EV version.
The drive comes as part of the firms electrification scheme – which they plan to invest over £17billion into by the end of next year.
The Ford Puma joins a list of cars the company had already electrified including F-15, Mustang, Transit, and the recently shown-off new Explorer.
And it’s not the only car climate-conscious Brits can brace for this year.
Recenty, the first images of the new Range Rover Electric were revealed as the iconic motor is set to be relaunched next year.
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