Ford Kuga enhanced!

[phoonfan]

Hi all,

Thought some of you might find this interesting!

Cheers,
Andrew



http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...rd_kuga_review


Walkinshaw Ford Kuga: review

By Craig Duff
Herald Sun
06 February 2013



Craig Duff road tests and reviews the new Walkinshaw Ford Kuga with specs, fuel economy and verdict.

Walkinshaw Performance works their magic on a Ford Kuga SUV. A Ford Kuga, even a lowered one, doesn’t normally turn heads. One with Walkinshaw Performance badging does the trick though. The tuning house is spreading the love with its aftermarket affections and has chosen the Blue Oval’s base product to showcase its wares.

Related Coverage

2012 Ford Kuga: review
Holden Captiva 7 LX: review
Volkswagen Tiguan: review
Mazda CX-7: review
Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 2.2-litre: review
More on FORD


That’s a role reversal for a company traditionally associated with go-fast Holdens but Walkinshaw Performance general manager Tony Harris is adamant it’s not sacrilege so much as strategic positioning. “We aren’t just about Holden or Commodore,” Harris says.

“Walkinshaw is a full-house performance shop and we intend to keep growing the business. GMH will still be a major part of that but the SUV market is where all the movement is and like the Captiva, the Kuga shows that we can work on any vehicle that fits in with our criteria.”

Those criteria include having a sporting focus, delivered in this case by the five-cylinder turbo engine, solid driving dynamics and a premium European look.

“Kuga buyers have already chosen something different, we’re now giving them the option to take it up a notch. Taking a car to the next level while still delivering a full warranty is an untapped area and one that Walkinshaw sees a lot of potential in,” Harris says.

VALUE

It costs $5750 to transform the donor $44,490 Kuga Titanium into a WP edition. The kit was developed by Irmscher in association with Ford in Germany and is primarily intended to improve the look and handling of the mid-sized SUV.

The WP model rolls on 20-inch Irmscher rims, and a lowering kit reduces the ride height by around 40mm. A set of polished sidesteps completes the dress-up package. The engine hasn’t been chipped or remapped - given there are only going to be 80 vehicles, it wasn’t cost-effective - but the throttle response module has been sensitised to the point where it’s touchier than a first night lap dancer.

TECHNOLOGY

Imrscher is a core supplier for Walkinshaw Performance and the two share common traits. Both aspire to develop products to original equipment standards and both have a history of developing aftermarket gear for General Motors vehicles. Just as Walkinshaw sees a future beyond Holden, so too has Irmscher looked farther afield than its traditional tie-in with the troubled Opel/Vauxhall brand.

The German tuners have developed an RC Line for Peugeot owners and are now selectively courting Ford buyers in segments where the Blue Oval doesn’t have its own halo cars. The One Ford global platform policy lets Walkinshaw apply that expertise to local vehicles.

STYLING

A beefy set of wheels always accentuates a car’s look - it’s the same reason that concept cars generally have rims that fill the entire guard. It works well on the Kuga, toughening up the already smart styling and giving the SUV a more purposeful stance on the road. The sidesteps are a highlight and make you wonder why Ford doesn’t have a set in its accessories catalogue.

WP hasn’t touched the interior and it is here the car’s 2008 origins are starting to show. The switchgear is still good, but the alloy centre-stack is button-heavy compared with its competitors. As you’d expect from a mid-$40,000 vehicle, the fitout includes leather upholstery, soft-touch plastics on the dash and doors and a panoramic sunroof.

SAFETY

The Kuga is a five-star car but far from top of the class. ANCAP noted that protection for the driver’s legs in the offset front crash was marginal and rated the car at 32.69/37. The more modern design of the Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander both earned higher marks.

The Kuga makes good use of what it has in the real world, though, with great grip and handling backed by ABS brakes with brakeforce distribution to help avoid a crash and then six airbags if things do go pear-shaped.

DRIVING

The 40mm trim in ride height improves the road-holding as much as it does the looks. Given the donor car was already a pacesetter, it puts the WP Kuga well ahead of the SUV pack in terms of driving dynamics. Less movement in the suspension and the tyre sidewalls makes the ride firmer but not to the point of bouncing the occupants around.

The Toyo rubber also has prodigious levels of adhesion, wet or dry and makes this one of the few fun SUVs to drive. The recalibrated throttle also gives the impression this car has more toe than the standard Ford. It doesn’t - outputs are still 147kW/320Nm - but it doesn’t take nearly as much movement of the accelerator to access that grunt.

Gran probably won’t enjoy feathering the throttle around the carpark but will appreciate the off-the-line surge. There’s still room for five and the two-piece tailgate makes loading a breeze, even if it does need a motor or bigger struts to make opening/closing less of a chore.

VERDICT

The WP Kuga isn’t so much a bolt-on kit as a bolt out of the blue. Walkinshaw has been smart in looking to satisfy the demand for stand-out SUVs and the Kuga fits the bill perfectly. It also means it’s almost certainly not the last Ford to earn the makeover treatment from the high-profile tuners. Expect the portfolio to grow - WP admits it is talking to other car makers about developing custom vehicles. Stay tuned.

WP by Irmscher Ford Kuga

[LeadFoot81]

Never thought I'd see a Walkinshaw enhanced Ford, let alone an SUV!!
Branching out into other brands/models is a smart business move however.

[DJM83]

I like it, and seeing how easy it is to get power from the I5T I'm surprised they left it standard as its already detuned.
And its a 2.5 not a 2 litre.

[phoonfan]

Press Release:

WP by Irmscher - Limited Edition Ford Kuga Package.
Walkinshaw Performance is proud to announce yet another first with the company set to offer Ford Kuga owners a range of aftermarket products.
Having recognised a shift in buyer choice- which has seen strong growth in the compact SUV segment- the Ford Kuga stood out with its fantastic five cylinder turbo engine, European styling and great driving dynamics as the vehicle of choice for the Walkinshaw team.

The WP by Irmscher Ford Kuga SUV package will be limited to just 80 units and offer Ford Kuga owners a unique combination of performance and styling.
General Manager of Walkinshaw Performance, Tony Harris, says the Ford Kuga is a natural progression for WP:
Tony Harris: “Based on the tremendous success we have had with the Holden Captiva - where we have put the ‘sport’ back into the SUV segment – we are excited to be able to bring the same energy and excitement to the Ford Kuga. The Irmscher products we have available are designed to subtly enhance the Kuga’s looks and performance. It’s a unique and striking vehicle and we believe the discerning Kuga buyer is looking for something a little different and individual.”

Walkinshaw Performance’s European business partner Irmscher worked with Ford in Germany developing these products to OEM standards, very much the Walkinshaw Performance way as well.
Says Tony Harris: “Our customer surveys have been unequivocal: an original equipment feel with a warranty is really important for not only the look and product quality, but they need the peace of mind that we offer. The Irmscher products we’re offering are not only visually appealing, they are also very high quality and we will back it with a balance-of-new-car warranty”

The products included in the WP by Irmscher Ford Kuga Limited Edition Package are as follows:
• 20” Irmscher Wheels with Toyo 245/45/R20 tyres
• Irmscher rolled, polished sidesteps
• Irmscher lowering kit that reduces ride height by approx. 40mm
• Irmscher Dynamic Throttle Response Module.
The WP by Irmscher Ford Kuga package dramatically improves the ride and handling of the vehicle as well as improving throttle dynamics through reduced response times. Now you truly can ‘Go Further’ taking driving pleasure to a whole new level.

This Limited Edition Ford Kuga Package is available now from Walkinshaw Performance and selected Ford dealers.

Recommended Retail Price for this package is $5750 supplied and fitted.

Finance is also available for this package through Walkinshaw Performance from just $50 a week *

[Gadgetman]

I drove that car last week and am a big fan. There is no power increase but the power delivery is a huge contrast to a standard Kuga. This car moves real well but even more impressive is the ride quality WP have got here. handles the bumps well and feels great on the road given the size of the wheels. Great package and great work there WP boys. And No, I dont work for them.

[Luke Plaizier]

Ugh. Those brakes.....

[ryeman]

Is this a way to get rid of the old model?
The 5cylinder I thought had been replaced by the 2.0 EcoBoost ?

[Wretched]

besides the brake size and the lack of engine work it is one good looking SUV.
Very nice.

[chevypower]

I drove the 2.0 EcoBoost FWD version (Escape) in California. It's very fast and a blast to drive. I would guess 0-100km/h in around 6.0-6.5. Fuel economy was excellent, around 21 mpg city, 30+ highway. My complaints. Seats felt very narrow, as did the front passenger legroom. Ride was very stiff though it did handle well. Did not do a good job of smoothing out bumps, but with such a short wheelbase, that was a big ask anyway. Would I buy one? No, I would look more at the Santa Fe as it is a little larger. Escape/Kuga 2.0 EcoBoost is good for those who want smaller and sportier, so maybe I am just getting old.

[EB#]

Here is another article on the WP Kuga from Go Auto......
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257B0A001F8B80

[Luke Plaizier]

It's disappointing that Herrod Motorsport isn't branching out into this area, or trying to forge stronger ties with Ford now that Prodrive are out of the picture.

Importing bits from Germany and whacking them on seems like a no brainer really. Is the problem just that Herrod are an Australia company and don't have the benefit of establishing partnerships with overseas companies?


Lukeyson

[csv8]

What could Walkinshaw do with a Territory ??

[Luke Plaizier]

Originally Posted by csv8

What could Walkinshaw do with a Territory ??

There are no overseas bits that can just be bolted on, so I'd say nothing.


Lukeyson

[barra240t]

I love the Kuga. It has a few flaws but its such a nice thing to dirve. There is a forum member who has flashed their Kuga which sounds like fun.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by csv8

What could Walkinshaw Herrod do with a Territory ??

Fixed.

Hang on, wasn't there someone on here who was experimenting with an aftermarket Land Rover chip for his TDi Territory??

[Sioso]

Pity they couldn't tint the two front windows with their package - I think that privacy glass just at the back looks ridiculous (on all vehicles).