The best-selling hybrid is the Ford Puma

LIGHT HYBRID – The small crossover Ford Puma, recently arrived on the market, is the car hybrid most sold in Italy in the first two months of 2020 with just over 1,900 units delivered. The Puma, one of the 14 electrified models that Ford will introduce by the end of this year, adopts an engine with mild hybrid technology in two power levels, 125 and 155 hp (but it is also available non-hybrid and with diesel engine). The petrol engine is the well-known EcoBoost 1.0 three-cylinder assisted by an electric motor-generator powered by a 48 V lithium-ion battery. During braking or release phases, it generates energy that goes to recharge the battery, which guarantees the functioning of all the electrical components of the car. The electric motor, in the restart, starts the heat engine and in the acceleration phases gives it an extra boost.

THE TECHNOLOGY IS THERE – Among the outstanding features of the Ford Puma there is the package of driver assistance systems (optional for 1,000 euros). It’s called Ford Co-Pilot and includes semi-automatic parking, cruise control that adapts speed and safety distance from other vehicles while driving on the highway, automatic braking with pedestrian recognition and blind spot monitoring. Another qualifying optional is the Ford Local Hazard Information, the cloud-based system that uses the modem integrated in the car, always connected to the network, to inform drivers in real time of any unexpected situations that could occur along the way, before they are seen or detected by car sensors. As standard, however, the possibility of setting different driving modes (Drive modes) that change the parameters of the accelerator, steering and traction control, as well as the shift times for automatic models, to adapt the car to different situations. The driving modes are Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery (low grip) and Trail (dirt road).

PRICES – The price list of the Ford Puma 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid it goes from 23,250 up to 27,500 euros.