7:58 am, December 2, 2008
FORD has just released a model it initially said it would not – with economy and ecology heralding the U-turn.
The Kuga 2WD 2.0 TDCi is a front wheel drive version of the company’s compact SUV. The new off-roader’s biggest draw is favourable CO2 emissions of 159g/km.
This places it below the 160g/km threshold that many company fleets will be focusing their policies on. It ensures Ford will not be excluded from company car user-chooser lists.
As it emits less than 160g/km of CO2, it is eligible for a 20 per cent write down allowance against corporation tax. The existing Kuga 4WD 2.0 TDCi exceeds this band, and only has a 10 per cent write down allowance.
There are further advantages in the sub 160g/km rate for road tax VED.
Prices for the new Kuga 2WD start at £18,595 for the Zetec variant.
In contrast, the company has also announced a 200PS 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder range-topping version. This hits 62mph in 8.2 seconds, courtesy of the engine drawn from the Focus ST.
It is also available with an automatic transmission option. It is the first Kuga to do so and, Ford says, will attract those downsizing from larger SUVs.
Prices for this variant, which only comes in top-line Titanium trim, start at £23,788.
