Ford is expanding the Puma lineup in Ireland, with the first automatic gearbox option for the model, as well as a range-topping luxury Vignale version.
Made in Romania
The Puma's actually made in Romania (you learn something new every day, huh?) and Ford has invested €1.5 billion in its manufacturing plant there since 2008.
The new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox option fits onto the existing 125hp 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild-hybrid three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. Prices for the auto model start from €26,797 for the Titanium spec version and Ford claims 139g/km CO2 emissions and 6.1 litres per 100km fuel economy.
Luxury Vignale Puma
There's also now the new posh Vignale version, based around the existing ST-Line X model. The Vignale (named for a once-famous Italian design studio that Ford bought out some years ago) adds exclusive 18-inch alloys, a satin aluminium upper grille and surround, ebony lower grille, and body-coloured lower rear bumper. Standard specification includes signature LED headlights, Windsor leather seats, wrapped instrument cluster, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and Ford KeyFree system.
Puma ST coming soon
Of course, we're really waiting for the hot Puma ST version (which, given what good fun the regular Puma is should be an utter riot) - Ford has confirmed that just such a model is in the works and it should be on sale before the end of the year.
"Customers have told us that they want a range of options to help find a combination of style, equipment, performance and efficiency that's just right for them. That's something we committed to delivering with Puma, and with a new Puma ST coming later this year, we're not finished yet" John Manning, Market Lead at Ford Ireland told CompleteCar.