With the car market undergoing unprecedented change, the challenge of adapting to new technology and customer demands is enormous. But Ford has been transforming its product line-up, ensuring vehicles meet the requirements and exceed the expectations of customers.
The new Ford Puma, launched at the beginning of 2020, creates an innovative and practical choice in the compact SUV sector. The Puma name brings with it connotations of a dynamic driving experience and sleek styling, and the new model does justice to its coupé ancestor with its engaging drive and tapering roof line.
The car was launched with the familiar turbocharged petrol technology, but also had mild-hybrid variants offering tangible savings in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The Puma can combine 155hp from its 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with CO2 emissions of just 127g/km.
It is also family-friendly, and has an impressively large luggage compartment with its MegaBox underfloor storage area, which also allows the Puma to accommodate awkwardly tall items other compact vehicles would struggle to carry.
These merits saw it see off the challenges from strong competition in its sector to win the title of Best Compact SUV in the 2020 Business Car Awards, and it went on to be named the New Company Car of the Year, beating rivals in a diverse field.
The range will be enhanced further in 2021 with the introduction of the Puma ST, which is set to challenge perceptions of what people expect from compact SUVs, and include another model in the much-respected Ford Performance stable.
Ford’s new Kuga, launched in 2020, was victorious in the Best Medium SUV category, with judges citing its breadth of ability and appeal for user-choosers.
Available with mild, full and plug-in hybrid power, the Kuga offers fleets a variety of power options to suit operating and driving preferences.
The plug-in hybrid will have particular appeal to user-choosers seeking to minimise their BIK tax liability, offering up to 35 miles of zero-emission range on a charge**, as well as CO2 of 32g/km and a BIK band of 10% for the 2020/21 tax year.
Speaking about both awards, Neil Wilson, fleet director, Ford of Britain & Ireland, said: “In its first year on sale the innovative Puma has won 10 UK awards, and to end 2020 as Business Car‘s New Company Car of the Year is a fine sign-off.
“The combination of connectivity, practicality and hybridisation makes it a fleet winner too. Especially with CO2 of only 127g/km of from its spirited 155hp engine.
“Also new this year is our most electrified car yet in the Kuga SUV. Available as a mild, plug-in and full hybrid – and with all-wheel drive capability – the Kuga is as ruggedly capable as it is fuel-efficient.
“Thank you for recognising both, Business Car!”
