RAY MASSEY: Ford wins the plaudits – Puma was the best-selling new car for 2023 and the fourth-generation Kuga SUV goes on sale this month

Ford is on a roll. The Puma range was the best-selling new car model for 2023, with almost 50,000 units delivered last year.

And by the end of this year, Ford will unveil a fully electric Puma as one of nine electric models coming to market in 2025. To top it all off, the Puma ST 1.5 Ecoboost was named sports SUV of the year this week in What Auto? Awards.

The Capri also returns, redesigned as a sporty electric SUV crossover. Disguised models have been spied testing in Germany.

The Ford Transit Custom was Britain’s best-selling van for the tenth year running, topping the commercial vehicle competition. This year it will go fully electric, with the E-Transit Custom already on sale ahead of the first customer deliveries in the second half of the year.

The Ford Ranger pick-up had a record year with sales of more than 18,750 units when it added the new Tremor, Wildtrak X and Platinum models to its range, followed by a new plug-in hybrid Ranger.

This week the mix is ​​complemented by the improved and updated Ford Kuga SUV range – on sale this month – its fourth generation since 2008.

The 243 hp plug-in hybrid (PHEV) petrol-electric version, powered by a 2.5-litre engine coupled to an electric motor, promises up to 70 kilometers of pure electric driving and is aimed at ‘customers who can benefit from home or public charging’.

For motorists ‘who may not have a convenient charging point to hand’ – currently a lot of people, especially the 40 percent of households that do not have their own driveway – there is the self-charging Kuga Hybrid, also with a 2.5-liter petrol engine (180 hp). front-wheel drive and 183 hp all-wheel drive).

The updated and updated Ford Kuga SUV range, which goes on sale this month, is the fourth generation since 2008

The 243 hp plug-in hybrid petrol-electric version, powered by a 2.5-liter engine coupled to an electric motor, promises up to 70 kilometers of pure electric driving

Both the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid and Kuga Hybrid AWD (all-wheel drive) deliver significantly improved acceleration, with lower emissions

According to Ford, this offers the convenience of an electrified powertrain with a driving range of no less than 920 kilometers on one tank of fuel.

There is also a mild-hybrid petrol 1.5 liter EcoBoost (150 hp front-wheel drive). Prices from £32,080.

Both the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid and Kuga Hybrid AWD (all-wheel drive) deliver significantly improved acceleration, with reduced emissions, Ford said.

Mocha order books opened

Vauxhall has opened order books for its new Mokka Electric Long Range crossover SUV.

It features a new 54 kWh battery and 156 hp electric motor for improved efficiency, performance and range – an increase of more than 20 percent to up to 400 km.

Prices start from £37,610 in Design trim, £39,985 for GS and £42,295 for Ultimate – a £1,000 increase over the existing, less powerful versions with a 50kWh battery and 136bhp motor, which also are still offered.

Improved efficiency: Vauxhall has opened order books for its new Mokka Electric Long Range crossover SUV

There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. Range can be maintained by activating ‘B’ mode via a button on the selector lever to increase regenerative braking.

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds (0.2 seconds faster than the 136 hp version) with a top speed of 150 km/h.

Charging to 80 percent takes 27 minutes on a 100 kW fast charger. Deliveries start in March.