New Euro-Ford CUV Scores Highest for Safety
Ford's new-in-Europe Kuga compact crossover has achieved the best combination of crash test star ratings, placing the car at the top of the Euro NCAP small SUV group. The Euro-Focus-based Kuga scored the maximum five stars for adult occupant protection, four stars for child occupant protection and three stars for pedestrian protection. (Only a few other SUVs have been deemed relatively pedestrian-friendly. The BMW X3 for instance scored only one star). And no other SUV, large or small, has achieved a total of so many stars in the various categories. How did they do it? Technical gobbledygook alert… The credit goes to Ford's intelligent protection system (IPS) which "combin(es) a body structure optimised for strength and crashworthiness with restraint equipment," and high strength steels "for a very rigid, yet lightweight passenger safety cell." The high pedestrian protection score was achieved through the use of soft bumper material, a special energy absorber between the bumper and the front panel and radiator, breakaway headlights, front wings manufactured from recycled plastic and a carefully shaped hood. Best of all: the Kuga is reported to be a pretty good drive. Review to follow.
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When the Escape is completely revamped, it will basically become the American version of the Kuga, if insiders posting on Ford sites are to be believed.
rodster205, For some reason, I doubt that the Escape will be "revamped" as the Kuga -- since the cars do not share platforms (C-1 v. CD2). The Kuga should replace entirely the ancient CD2 platform here in the U.S.
Ford Europe are making some damn sharp cars (I love the Focus Cabriolet). I just don't know why they don't pick up the plans and give them to their Mexican plants. It'd be a start. Incidentally, why is Mark Fields being touted as Ford's next CEO, when Lewis Booth of Ford Europe is performing considerably better?