IF YOU need an inexpensive automotive that gives a sporty drive, attractiveness and sensible capabilities, try the Ford Puma ST.
The blue oval badge marque’s compact crossover is engineered to place a smile on the face of enthusiastic motorists. But it may well additionally accommodate a household and their belongings, whereas its dynamic exterior design drew optimistic consideration from onlookers.
The mannequin I used to be testing got here with the ST Efficiency Pack to crank issues up additional but solely value from £31,075 on the highway – providing you with quite a lot of automotive for the money.
Arguably, the principle component of what makes this such a enjoyable automotive to drive is its three-cylinder, 1.5-litre, petrol engine that produces a severe 200PS of energy.
It’s mated to a short-throw, exact, six-speed, handbook gearbox, with a strong chrome and leather-clad lever that’s really gratifying to make use of.
The sprint from standstill to 62mph takes 6.7 seconds and the 137mph high pace matches many sports activities automobiles. Nonetheless, it's nonetheless formally able to a median 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 155g/km.
Throughout my week with the automotive, I discovered it astonishingly tough to get the petrol gauge to drop and the informative journey laptop confirmed the gasoline financial system statistic was just about on the cash.
The multi-function, chunky, flat-bottomed, perforated-leather steering wheel offers very good suggestions, whereas a push of a button lets you change between regular, sport, eco and monitor driving modes.
These make noticeable variations to the acceleration, steering and particular ST suspension response, in addition to the noisiness of the engine.
Hit the game possibility on a twisting, hilly, nation highway and the additional oomph, tighter steering and stiffer suspension will get you grinning as you are feeling linked to the black stuff underneath the wheels.
However in case you are motorway cruising, sit again in eco mode – with its barely softer acceleration, steering and journey responses – and also you’ll be extra comfy.
Round city and for different on a regular basis driving with passengers, the traditional choice is ideal for the job, mixing the most effective of the opposite highway modes.
When you’re on a combined route, as I'm on my drives between cities and villages south of Glasgow, a helpful S button on the steering wheel allows you to flick between sport and regular.
The ST Efficiency Pack provides to the enjoyment by giving a mechanical restricted slip differential to spice up grip, cornering and acceleration responses, and a launch management operate for the most effective take-off from the beginning line.
The set-up additionally features a efficiency shift mild and shift indicator to allow drivers to make the optimum gear adjustments for both high-speed motion or finest financial system.
Slowing or halting the automotive can at all times be executed quickly, too, as befits the purple brake calipers on present beneath the placing 19in machined alloy wheels.
Inside, you’ll discover loads of Ford Efficiency and ST logos, and so they even flash up on the informationtainment display screen and 12.3in digital instrument cluster upon start-up.
The figure-hugging, eco-friendly, faux-leather and suede Ford Efficiency entrance sports activities seats, purple stitching, alloy pedals, carbon-effect detailing, flashes of purple across the air vents and darkish headlining depart you in little question about this automotive’s energy credentials.
And but there’s sufficient room for a household of 4 or 5 to journey comfortably – relying on the age of the children. The 456-litre boot additionally boasts a washable, drainable, underfloor 80-litre house that’s best for moist, muddy gear.
The quantity of creature comforts additionally ensures the Puma ST is nice worth. So consumers will get pleasure from keyless entry and begin, auto lights (together with excessive beam) and wipers, cruise management with pace limiter, lane conserving help, automated pre-collision braking and parking sensors at every finish.
A good automated local weather management is backed up by the Quickclear electrical heated windscreen, together with heated entrance seats and steering wheel.
Tech highlights embody the digital instrument cluster that gives a wealth of data and cleverly adjustments look relying on the drive mode.
Then there may be the user-friendly SYNC 3 infotainment set-up, with an eight-inch touchscreen, sat nav and full smartphone integration.
There’s additionally a wi-fi charging pad, voice controls, wi-fi connectivity, 10-speaker B&O audio system and an emergency name operate.
All Puma fashions have attractively daring entrance and rear ends, swooping strains and dynamic creases. However the ST steps issues up a gear with a physique styling equipment, together with a Ford Efficiency embossed splitter, black distinction roof, giant rear spoiler and twin exhaust.
LED lights back and front in addition to lights projecting the ST brand on to the bottom from the powered/heated door mirrors add to the sense of this being a particular automotive, which certainly it's.