Nearly one year ago, Ford Authority exclusively reported on the unfortunate news that the subcompact Ford Puma would not be heading to North America. However, in light of some developments, the likelihood of the spunky crossover making its way across the ocean seems greater than ever, as our intrepid photographers recently spotted the Ford Puma ST running around Dearborn after leaving a key Ford R&D center.
More specifically, the Ford Puma ST was captured on public roads in Dearborn after leaving a Ford facility known for developing prototypes of spicy performance vehicles like the Ford F-150 Raptor, Ford Bronco Warthog, and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. It probably isn’t a coincidence that the subcompact crossover was hanging around there, nearly two months after Ford CEO Jim Farley publicly expressed his wish to see the Ford Puma ST in North America and elsewhere, and it is entirely possible that Ford engineers are currently working to make that happen.
That task might be easier said than done, as U.S. crash test regulations and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines are very different than the rules adopted by the European Union. It’s entirely possible that those adaptations would make bringing the Ford Puma ST across the sea an unpalatable affair for The Blue Oval, but then again, that could be the reason why Ford engineers are currently evaluating the crossover on the same hallowed ground where Ford Performance works its magic.
And it’s not like the Ford Puma ST sits on some alien architecture either, as it currently utilizes the same platform as the Ford Fiesta. It is powered by the Ford 1.5L “Dragon” EcoBoost I-3 and boasts a healthy 197 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. An automatic would probably be more realistic for America, with the new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that was recently introduced for the Fiesta and Puma being a likely candidate for conscription into an American Puma ST variant.
We’ll have more information about the Puma soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Puma news and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Wait for the eventual refresh with the new front end design as seen on the Fusion Active. Current Puma (and Escape) looks too amphibian. Love the frog green color, though.
The Fusion Active does not exist nor will it.
2023 is just around the corner
Honestly, I believe they should bring this over immediately. Move on from the Ecosport and Escape. I say this because I continuously see negative news regarding the Ecosport and continued downtrend of sales for the Escape (especially after a recent redesign). Allow the new Bronco Sport to cannibalize their current Escape market share. This vehicle has great design! Pair it with the 1.5 I-3 and 2.0t I-4
Escape sales are needed to support Corsair
I want something small but practical, fun but frugal. And a manual is mandatory. Ford needs to bring the Puma ST to the US before I buy a VW GTI.
It took them how long to bring the Ranger Back I feel the Puma looks to be a replacement for the Ecsape. I like the Bronco and How you dont have to purchase different mirrors to ride with the doors off Like the Jeep has.
Means absolutely nothing. There was a Fiesta ST (new generation) parked there for quite some time. I have personally driven 2nd-gen Focus RS and ST cars Roush had some years back. Execs like to play under the pretense of “research”. Or legit research. But not indicative of impending future plans.
Has Ford thought about doing an all electric version of the Puma? My wife and I are buying the Mustang Mach E later this year, and would love an electric Puma. We only want electric cars going forward, and she would love an electric Puma.
My current weekend driver is a 04′ Focus SVT w/European Appearance Package, but for a daily driver the Puma ST would be nice.
Ford needs and should have this vehicle for North America! Bring it Ford!
i dont understand the negative press with the echo-sport i actually bought one an ses and the wife and i luv it.in canada were you gonna get a 4wd for 25 thou out the door loaded up we knew it wasnt going to be a ferrari when we bought it and these so called auto writers that trash it need a little bit of humbling and a reality check,We like the ford styling and they.. the writers praised the nissan juke… now thats…. ugly which end is the front and they rave about it….really
It’s irrelevant whether or not you, I or any one person likes the Ecosport. The objective truth is that it’s deficient to the competition in basically every single dimension and it should be – it was never created for North American tastes.
I see these foreign models all the time. Most recently this and a Euro spec Mondeo Wagon. From the looks they are either imported or vehicles left over from testing. Highly unlikely they will be brought state side (as Ford Europe also uses the dearborn engineering and design complexes).
I have seen North American vehicles such as Lincolns and Ford F series near the Ford Europe offices so this does not prove that the Puma will be sold in the US just like Lincoln is not sold in Europe