I am semi seriously looking at a Kuga and the diesel option is definately the one to go for as I do 24k miles per year. I would, however, like to get an auto as I'm just plain tired now of pressing a pedal and pushing a gear lever (call it middle age approaching!).
Does nayone (HJ?) know if Ford plan to release an auto version of this in the future? I don't know Ford cars that well these days - do they do auto diesels at all?
On a separate point - the new XF Jag engines look nice - who designed them - Ford or was it the new owners of Jag?
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Never an auto diesel so far and the Jag has a Ford engine and many other Ford parts.
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They've had the Powershift (DSG) box available for the diesel Focus since March last year, and, given the Kuga is based on the Focus platform (I think), it's surprising they haven't made it available.
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Depends on what you call an "Auto"; a manual with clutchless change-I would never call an "Auto".
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DSG is an auto box with a manual option - hence I'd call it an auto.
Previously had a DSG box now have a "conventional" (torque convertor) box - with both, move lever to "D" and that's it
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They've had the Powershift (DSG) box available for the diesel Focus since March last year and given the Kuga is based on the Focus platform (I think) it's surprising they haven't made it available.
So there IS hope then!
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But not much hope, it would destroy the co2 emmissions that it majors on.
And generally the towing limits for a auto are reduced.
The Kuga has never done well in any group test ive read.
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I do think this kind of car almost needs an auto. Was in a colleagues manual diesel VW Touareg recently and it's so truck-like with constant gearchanging through the six speed box - just watching the effort required made the journey wearing.
In comparison, Auto SUV's are just effortless to drive - surely their main appeal?
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The VW Tiguan is your best (only?) bet for a diesel auto in the soft-roader class.
When you say the 'new Jag XF engine', do you mean the 3.0l V6 diesel? If so I believe this is a bored out version of the 2.7 which was a joint PSA/Ford design, built in Dagenham. Not sure about the petrol V8s in the XF, but it won't be a Tata design. Also, isn't the V8 diesel in the Range Rover the 2.7 V6 with an extra pair of cylinders?
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Jaguar (petrol)and Aston engines are built by Ford at Bridgend.
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The VW Tiguan is your best (only?) bet for a diesel auto in the soft-roader class.
Chevrolet Captiva and Vauxhall Antara both offer diesel with auto option.
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>> The VW Tiguan is your best (only?) bet for a diesel auto in the soft-roader class. Chevrolet Captiva and Vauxhall Antara both offer diesel with auto option.
There's an option of an auto box on the BMW X3. Probably not relevant in this discussion but for completeness...
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There's an option of an auto box on the BMW X3. Probably not relevant in this discussion but for completeness...
I was thinking that too - without looking I would imagine all of the "premium" small SUVs, such as Q5 and XC60, would have auto. Might be relevant if people will look at nearly new or on a PCP there might not be much difference in monthly cost.
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True, and I would have thought Henry would be flattered to have the Kuga compared with the X3, Q5, XC60, and other premium models!
Edited by boxsterboy on 25/03/2009 at 09:56
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Read the Autocar road test of the 2.5 petrol Kuga then.
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The X-Trail is also available with an auto.
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