We’ve seen spyshots of the facelifted second-generation Ford Kuga (also known as the Ford Escape in the United States) before, but new images from our spy photographers show the car with a little less camouflage – and a lighter colour too – that give us a better look at the refreshed three-year-old crossover.
One can spot the large upper grille, derived from the new Edge SUV, that dominates the front fascia (current car features a slim upper grille and a large lower grille split into three, like the pre-facelifted Focus). The lower air intakes, indicators and fog lights have also been reprofiled, while the headlights look to have taken a trapezoidal shape with U-shaped LED daytime running lights, like the new Mondeo.
By contrast, the rear of this rejigged C520 has been shorn of disguise, so the updates here are for all to see. The reshaped tail lights with new internal graphics and clear lenses are the most obvious changes, but the rear number plate recess has also been revised for a more premium appearance. There’s also a new wheel design, here finished in black.
Previous spyshots showed a camouflaged centre console, hinting of a fairly major interior overhaul as seen on the facelifted Focus – which added a new steering wheel, a reorganised centre tunnel, a SYNC 2 infotainment system with larger eight-inch touchscreen, as well as updated switchgear.
The US-market 2016 Escape already features the newer SYNC 3 system – faster and easier to use than SYNC 2, with simpler user interface, quicker touch response and improved voice recognition – as an option, so we won’t be surprised to see it turn up on the facelifted Kuga.
No changes to the engine lineup, we think, given that the current Kuga has already made the switch from the 1.6 litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine to the newer 1.5 litre mill, from the facelifted Focus. It’s available in the same 150 hp and 180 outputs (ours is the latter) as before, but delivers improved fuel consumption and lower emissions. The SelectShift 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission should remain unchanged, too.
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handsome…when will u be coming?