Ford has revealed the updated Puma small crossover, giving the car greater connectivity and a larger infotainment screen, as well as an enhanced digital driver's display. There are also plans for a fully electric version of the Puma to join the range later this year.
Cabin sees main alterations
Visually, not much has changed on the outside. The facelifted Puma has subtly different light signatures in its headlights and the option of a new colour, Cactus Grey. There are also puddle lamps in the door mirrors that beam a puma logo onto the floor at night, and while those light clusters up front might not look too different, they can now be optioned up with Dynamic Matrix LED technology.
Inside is where more of the work has taken place in the updated Puma, as it now features a much larger 12-inch touchscreen - it was an eight-inch display before - for the latest SYNC 4 infotainment, again an upgrade on the pre-facelift models' SYNC 3 operating system.
That has necessitated a change to the whole dashboard structure around the driving position, with the result being a 'sports-car-style' cockpit that wraps around the front-seat occupants, with all screens angled towards the driver. However, the reliance on the large central touchscreen does mean the deletion of many physical buttons, including the HVAC (heating and air-con) controls - which are now controlled through the display.
Wireless connectivity
At least Ford has now added wireless connection of both the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apps, while the updated Puma also has Alexa Built-in and the option of 5G connectivity through FordPass Connect, when it was previously limited to 4G. In front of the driver is another screen, this one again a larger digital display than it was previously, now measuring 12.8 inches and with freshened-up graphics.
There's also a sliding central armrest for the Puma, as well as a two-spoke steering wheel which is a new design. Options will include a ten-speaker B&O sound system if buyers want an uprated audio experience.
1.0-litre engines only
Ford Ireland will sell the updated Puma in Titanium, ST-Line and ST-Line X specifications. The Vignale specification has been dropped by Ford in all markets, while it remains to be seen if the range-topping ST performance model will come here as a facelifted car - but even if it does, it will no longer be the 200hp, 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a manual gearbox as previously used in the Puma ST and now-departed Fiesta ST. Instead, the 1.0-litre mild-hybrid (MHEV) three-cylinder turbo, with 170hp and an automatic transmission, forms the pinnacle of the revised Puma range.
Elsewhere, the familiar 125- and 155hp 1.0-litre MHEV units will continue in service, with a manual option on the lower-output engine the only three-pedal choice in the Puma line-up. All other cars will be equipped with the Powershift auto.
All-electric model, Gen-E, on the way
Driver-assist tech for the updated Puma includes Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and now with added Lane Centring functionality. There's also Predictive Speed Assist, which can alter the car's velocity to account for bends, roundabouts, or the entry and exit from motorways, while a 360-degree surround-view camera system is an upgrade on the reversing camera that was fitted to the pre-facelift cars.
As before, the facelifted Puma retains the super-useful 80-litre Megabox in the boot, as well as up to 456 litres of cargo capacity, making it a practical small crossover.
The updated Puma range is on sale now at dealers across the country, but there is an intriguing new model on the way later this year. Called the Gen-E, it will be the first Ford Puma that is a purely electric vehicle with zero tailpipe emissions. We expect it to be revealed in the next few months.