Ford is on the point of introduce an electrical model of its entry-level Puma crossover in 2024, and this seems set to coincide with a facelift of the combustion-powered mannequin.

That is both a delicate facelift or a very early prototype, because the tail lights seem unaltered. The manufacturing model could characteristic totally different gentle graphics, although their form could stay unchanged.

Camouflage obscures particulars up entrance, however the headlights, grille and bumper seem to have been restyled.

A teaser of the upcoming Puma EV, due in Australia in 2024, exhibits distinctive LED daytime operating gentle signatures, and it’s unclear if these can even be carried over to the facelifted combustion-powered automobile.

The spied prototype evidently isn’t an EV, given the seen exhaust retailers. Count on the EV to be distinguished, as different rival ICE-based EVs are, by way of a novel grille and different delicate touches.

Curiously, a glimpse by way of the facet window reveals the centre air vents up entrance have been moved up and there’s no tablet-style infotainment touchscreen.

If Ford has moved the infotainment touchscreen down and given it a extra built-in look, that will be fairly uncommon for a automobile in 2023. We’ll have to attend for nearer photographs to attract conclusions.

Regardless, we’d anticipate the newest era of Ford’s Sync infotainment system – Sync 4 – and doubtlessly a bigger display than the present 8.0-inch unit.

Other than gaining an electrical powertrain, it’s unclear what else is in retailer for the 2024 Puma mechanically.

In Europe, it’s at the moment provided with 93kW/170Nm and 116kW/190Nm tunes of the turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which characteristic a 48V mild-hybrid system.

The Australian-market Puma has a 92kW/170Nm turbo 1.0-litre, and not using a mild-hybrid system, whereas some markets additionally supply a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel 4 with 88kW and 285Nm.

The European-market ST Powershift encompasses a 48V mild-hybrid 1.0-litre turbo-three pot with 125kW of energy and 248Nm, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized, whereas the ST makes use of a 1.5-litre turbo three-pot with 147kW and 320Nm, mated with a six-speed guide.

With Ford Australia retiring the Escape this 12 months, the Puma would be the Blue Oval’s solely sub-$50,000 SUV right here – although we’d anticipate the electrical mannequin to push past the present range-topping ST-Line V’s $36,390 sticker worth.

Ford offered 2408 Pumas in Australia final 12 months, placing it above the rival Nissan Juke (1084) and Renault Captur (1207) however behind rivals just like the Volkswagen T-Cross (5146), Toyota Yaris Cross (8432), and the dominant (if ageing) Mazda CX-3 (11,907).

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