New 2020 Ford Puma ST teased ahead of September launch

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The new Ford Puma ST will make its official debut on 24 September. The company’s first sporty compact crossover will feature a range of performance tweaks lifted from the Fiesta ST hot hatchback, as well as a handful of cosmetic and technology upgrades over the standard Puma.

This announcement is the latest addition to Ford’s growing teaser campaign for the Puma ST. As with the firm’s previous updates, a new video offers a glimpse at the new model’s styling, as well as confirming a couple of details about its specification and engine. Here’s everything we know so far.

New Ford Puma ST: engine and drivetrain


Ford’s previous teaser video all but confirmed our suspicions on the Puma ST’s powertrain. The video’s engine track sounds identical to that of the Fiesta ST – which makes sense, as the crossover shares its platform with the sporty supermini.

The Puma ST will use the Fiesta ST’s turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 197bhp and 290Nm of torque. Like the supermini, drive will be sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. However, the Puma’s heavier kerbweight will mean it’ll lag slightly behind the Fiesta ST’s 6.5 second 0–62mph time.

Chassis upgrades over the standard Puma should be extensive, with revisions including lowered suspension, stiffer springs and larger disc brakes for the front axle. As with the Fiesta ST, a mechanical limited-slip differential and launch control should also both be offered as optional extras, along with a shift light prompt for the dashboard.

New Ford Puma ST: styling and equipment


Ford’s teaser campaign has also confirmed a few details about the Puma ST’s specification. Buyers will get a set of gun-metal grey ST alloy wheels, an aggressive body-kit, a larger rear wing, a handful of ST badges and a choice of lairy paint colours – including the acid green finish found on the model in the company’s latest video clip.

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 6

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 6
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 3

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 3
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 2

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 2
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 8

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 8
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 7

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 7
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 5

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 5
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 2

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 2
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 1

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 1
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 6

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 6
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 7

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 7
Ford%20Puma%20ST-2.jpg

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Ford Puma ST - spyshot 5

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 5
Ford Puma ST - front (watermarked)

Ford Puma ST - front (watermarked)
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 1

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 1
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 4

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 4
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 3

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 3
Ford Puma ST - spyshot 4

Ford Puma ST - spyshot 4

When the Puma ST was in its latest stages of development, our spy photographers also spotted plenty of mules wearing twin-exit exhaust tips – suggesting a similar setup will make its way onto the production model.

The standard Puma’s cabin is already generously equipped, so most of it will be transferred wholesale to this sporty ST model. There’ll be the same 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as an eight-inch infotainment system and a 10-speaker Bang & OIufsen surround sound system. However, like the Fiesta ST, buyers will receive a fresh set of Recaro sports seats and an ST-branded sports steering wheel.

New Ford Puma ST: pricing and market


As it stands, the Puma will have very few rivals when it hits showrooms. With a replacement for the Nissan Juke Nismo RS looking unlikely, there are currently no outwardly sporty compact crossovers on the market. However, the Puma ST is likely to face stiff opposition from Hyundai; the Korean firm is readying a high-performance Kona N which could utilise a powertrain from the incoming i20 N hot hatchback.

The current flagship Puma, the ST-Line X First Edition Plus, costs £27,345 and features a 1.0-litre mild-hybrid engine developing 153bhp. That means a similar price tag of around £27,000 is expected.

What do you think of the forthcoming Ford Puma ST? Let us know in the comments section below…

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