2023 Ford Puma ST gains automatic gearbox with new smaller engine, but no closer to Australia
The Ford Puma ST has added the option of an automatic transmission with a new, smaller engine in Europe. But it is no closer to Australian showrooms – to replace its axed Fiesta ST hot-hatch twin.
The Ford Puma ST – the SUV twin of the defunct Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch – has gained the long-awaited option of an automatic transmission in Europe, with a new, smaller engine option.
But despite eliminating one key hurdle keeping the Puma ST away from Australian showrooms – where just 1 per cent of new SUVs sold last year had manual transmissions – Ford Australia says it is no closer to introducing the hot city SUV to Australia.
The Puma ST would fill the role of the Fiesta ST hot hatch in Australia, the last local examples of which are due to arrive imminently – before global production ends in June, amid falling sales and a shift to electric cars.
The Fiesta ST and Puma ST – which are twins under the skin – have until now shared a 147kW 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, mated exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
After two years on sale, Ford of Europe has added the option of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to the Puma ST.
There is a catch: it is mated to a tuned-up version of the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine in the standard Puma, with 125kW and 248Nm – down 22kW and 72Nm on the ST-exclusive 1.5-litre motor.
Ford claims Puma STs with the new engine and gearbox pairing are capable of 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds, or 0.7 seconds slower than 1.5-litre manual versions – and a 210km/h top speed, down 10km/h.
Claimed fuel economy decreases from 6.8 to 6.3 litres per 100km, thanks to the less potent engine tune, automatic transmission, and addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which can add brief 7kW boosts under hard acceleration.
Although the same engine and gearbox are also used in versions of the larger Focus hatch – and other small Ford models – the company claims the Puma ST's versions have been retuned for use in the city SUV.
Ford says the gearbox (which has paddle shifters) gains "revised software strategies", the mild-hybrid system "engages energy recovery more quickly than in other applications", and the auto Puma ST has a similar bi-modal sports exhaust to the manual model.
Under the skin, the Puma ST automatic – or 'PowerShift', the same brand name applied to dual-clutch gearboxes involved in a $10 million court case in Australia in 2017 – is unchanged from the high-output manual version.
This includes stiffer sports suspension with trick 'force vectoring' rear springs, thicker anti-roll bars, a quicker steering ratio, and performance brakes with 325mm front and 271mm rear discs (47mm and 18mm larger respectively than a Fiesta ST).
The Puma ST automatic shares the manual's exterior styling upgrades – with a front splitter, black highlights, dual exhaust tips and rear roof spoiler – with 19-inch alloy wheels.
The automatic model introduces a new Azura Blue exterior paint colour, said to be exclusive to the Puma ST.
Inside, there are synthetic leather-look front Ford Performance sports seats and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – plus a full suite of advanced safety technology, including adaptive cruise control, which is not available on the manual.
European examples of the Ford Puma continue to offer an 80-litre storage area under the boot floor, called the MegaBox – which is not available on Australian models to accomodate a space-saver spare tyre.
The 2023 Ford Puma ST automatic is now available to order in Europe – but neither auto or manual versions are planned for Australian showrooms. "The Puma ST is a fantastic vehicle, but we have no news to share about an Australian introduction," a Ford Australia spokesperson told Drive.
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