Kuga Unveiling

Ford of Europe will unveil the Kuga cross/utility vehicle at next month's Frankfurt motor show.

Based on the Ford Iosis X concept shown at the 2006 Paris auto show, the all-wheel-drive Kuga will be underpinned by Ford's C1 platform, which also supports the European Ford Focus and Volvo S40/V50.

The Kuga, slated to go into production early next year at Ford's Saarlouis, Germany, plant, boasts Ford's “kinetic design” form language, the auto maker says.

“Kuga will stand out from the crowd by offering the visual excitement of kinetic design and the on-road driving quality that customers of cars like the Ford Focus, S-MAX and new Mondeo have come to expect from us,” says Martin Smith, Ford of Europe executive design director.

The Kuga will be launched across Europe in spring 2008, Ford says.