Fiesta SUV is coming

 The Ford Kuga is getting a baby brother – and Auto Express has the best pictures yet of the exciting new crossover.

It’s set to take on the Nissan Juke when it hits dealers next summer, and give the company yet another big-selling model.

The 4x4 is based on the Fiesta supermini, and is due to make its official world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March. It has already been spotted testing across Europe, as well as on the streets of London. But these exclusive new images reveal how the car is shaping up.

Our illustrations show that much of the styling is inspired by the Vertrek concept, seen at January’s Detroit expo. It gets the same multi-layered headlights, sculpted bonnet and lowered roofline. The bodywork has grown to accommodate the SUV’s increased proportions, with pronounced wheelarches front and back, and the Fiesta’s chassis has been stretched to provide wider tracks.

Chrome inserts on the grille, and twin exhausts that sit flush with the rear bumper, help to boost its kerb appeal.

Despite the big concept car wheels, the newcomer’s ground clearance – combined with the chunkier bumpers – hint at enough off-road potential to worry the Juke. However, its main competition will be from Vauxhall’s new junior off-roader, also due on sale next year.

Although the design isn’t a radical departure from the rest of the model range, a Ford spokesman explained: “Until an all-new Fiesta arrives, everything that comes out on that platform will share the same Kinetic design language.”

However, a new concept – rumoured to debut the brand’s fresh family look – is tipped to appear at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. In an increasingly crowded segment, Ford will have 

to strike a delicate balance, giving the SUV sharp styling, yet enough practicality to keep family buyers happy.

Considering the firm’s reputation for driver appeal, the car should certainly ride and corner with poise, on or off road. A choice of two and four-wheel drive will be offered.

There will also be a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol line-up will include two versions of the firm’s efficient EcoBoost turbo powerplants: a new three-cylinder 90bhp 1.0-litre unit, and the powerful 1.6-litre from the bigger Focus.

All models are likely to get stop-start as standard, but alternative drivetrains may be offered, too. A more eco-friendly car, with lower emissions, could be introduced later on, borrowing technology from Ford’s hybrid C-MAX.

With prices starting from around £16,000, the baby Kuga looks set to offer the complete package.-autoexpress.co.uk