Ford Puma ST teased ahead of September launch

Ford has released a video tease of its upcoming Ford Puma ST and confirmed its hot compact SUV will be unveiled on September 24.

Posted on Twitter, the short film gives us our first look at the Blue Oval’s Hyundai Kona N or VW T-Roc R rival, with a brief glimpse of its steering wheel, grille and front fender, clearly showing the Puma ST’s larger wheels, wider front fenders and side skirts, and hinting at a comprehensive body kit.

The sporty body kit will include a revised front bumper featuring wider air intakes and a small splitter.

At the rear, the Puma will get a redesigned bumper, twin exhaust outlets and a subtle boot lid spoiler.

Developed by Ford Performance, the turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol under the bonnet of the Puma ST is matched to a six-speed manual transmission, also from the Fiesta ST.

The Ford Puma ST is likely to produce the same 148kW and 290Nm as the Fiesta ST, but a weight penalty should mean it won’t be quite as fast as Ford’s smallest hot hatch, which hits 100km/h from rest in just 6.7 seconds, before topping out at 232km/h.

To cope with the extra pace, Ford Performance engineers – some of the people who star in the bizarre Twitter vid – have developed a bespoke chassis tune for the Puma ST.

Sitting lower to the ground compared to the standard Puma, the ST will get a stiffer springs and more reactive dampers.

Bigger brakes will rein in the extra performance while an optional limited-slip differential will boost traction.

Inside, expect a pair of grippier, figure-hugging Recaro sport seats, along with the sports leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and a stubbier gear lever.

Finally, the Puma ST will get plentiful ‘ST’ decals on the instrument panel, infotainment system and seats to remind you paid a premium for the sportiest Puma.

Like the latest Fiesta ST, the hot Puma will get selectable driving modes and launch control.

When it arrives, Ford’s first compact performance SUV will join the ST versions of the Fiesta and Focus in the Ford Performance range, in the wake of a decision by the Blue Oval to axe the replacement for the Focus RS.

Set to go on sale in Europe shortly after its late September launch, the Puma ST deliveries will begin before the end of the year , meaning our cars could arrive early in 2021, although Ford Australia is yet to confirm the Puma ST for our market.

When it arrives, the Puma ST should command a healthy premium over the most expensive Puma ST-Line V, which is advertised Down Under for $35,540 (plus on-roads).