Ford Puma (coupé): Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 20132023}}

|designer = [[Chris Svensson]] <ref>{{Cite Webweb|url=https://driventowrite.com/2017/10/03/1997-ford-puma-history-profile/#more-40668|title=Bobcat by Another Name|work=Driven To Write|date=3 October 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite Webweb|url=https://www.carandclassic.com/magazine/the-ford-puma-the-time-is-now/|title=The Ford Puma – The Time is Now|work=Car and Classic|date=3 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|isbn=0860249042|date=2002|title=Puma the inside story|publisher=Autosport Special Projects|page=14}}</ref>

The '''Ford Puma''' is a small three-door [[coupé]]car that was produced by [[Ford of Europe|Ford Europe]] from September 1997 to July 2002. The Puma is a three-door [[coupé]] that is based on the [[Ford Fiesta (fourth generation)|Mark IV Ford Fiesta]] and was built exclusively at Ford's Niehl plant in [[Cologne]], Germany. The Ford Puma follows common design cues with other Ford cars at the time, and is in the [[New Edge]] family of vehicles.

The first iteration of the design, called the Lynx concept car, was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1996, and production car was launched in 1997 Geneva Motor show .<ref>{{cite book|isbn=0860249042|date=2002|title=Puma the inside story|publisher=Autosport Special Projects|page=8}}</ref>

The car was based on the Mark 4 [[Ford Fiesta]],<ref>{{cite book|isbn=0860249042|date=2002|title=Puma the inside story|publisher=Autosport Special Projects|page=25}}</ref>, with new engines (codeveloped with [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]]), a new body, stiffer suspension, wider track and close-ratio gearbox, among other changes.

The Puma was available with four engine options: 1.4-litre (1997-2000), 1.6-litre (2000-2001), 1.7-litre VCT (only used in the Puma), and the Tickford-tuned 1.7-litre VCT (which was only used in the Ford Racing Puma),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/used_car_reviews/article466466.ece |title=Ford Puma review &#124; Used Car Reviews &#124; Driving |publisher=Times Online |date= 2004-08-08|access-date=2009-05-09 | location=London | first=Jason | last=Dawe}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|isbn=0860249042|date=2002|title=Puma the inside story|publisher=Autosport Special Projects|page=60}} </ref> each of which used [[Ford Sigma engine|Ford's 16-v Sigma engines]] branded as [[Ford Zetec engine|Zetec]]-[[Ford Zetec engine#Sigma|SE]]. Additionally, the 1.7-litre engines used [[Nikasil]] cylinder plating, which required a specific grade of [[motor oil|oil]] (5W30 semisynthetic) to minimise mechanical wear.

The production journey of the 1.7-litre VCT was quite interesting. Rough machined cylinder blocks were shipped from Ford's Valencia plant in Spain to Yamaha in Japan for [[Nikasil]] coating and completion. These were then shipped back to Ford's Cologne plant where the Puma was assembled.<ref name="autonews">{{cite news |url=https://europe.autonews.com/article/19970707/ANE/707070802/yamaha-coats-cylinders-for-ford-puma |title=Yamaha coats cylinders for Ford Puma |author=Lewin, Tony |date=July 7, July 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317232401/https://europe.autonews.com/article/19970707/ANE/707070802/yamaha-coats-cylinders-for-ford-puma |archive-date=2019-03-17 |url-status=live |newspaper=[[Automotive News]]}}</ref>

During the relatively short production run, aboutapproximately 133,000 Pumas were built (all models including the Ford Racing Puma). At its peak, 52,950 were registered with the DVLA in the UK, which has since reduced to 7,493 (including 5,457 that have statutory off-road notification (SORN)) as of Q3 2023.<ref name="Ford Puma, How Many Left">{{cite web|author=Olly Smith |url=http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/family/ford_puma |title=Ford Puma - How Many Left? |publisher=Howmanyleft.co.uk |access-date=2024-01-24}}</ref>

Quantity produced: 1000 <ref>{{cite book|isbn=0860249042|date=2002|title=Puma the inside story|publisher=Autosport Special Projects|page=64}}</ref>

Peak quantity registered with DVLA (UK): 899 (2001 Q4)<ref name="Ford Puma, How Many Left">{{cite web|author=Olly Smith |url=http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/family/ford_puma |title=Ford Puma - How Many Left? |publisher=Howmanyleft.co.uk |access-date=2023-01-10}}</ref>

Quantity remaining registered with DVLA (UK): 314301 (including 212216 that are SORN) as of Q3 20222023<ref name="Ford Puma, How Many Left" />

The Ford Millennium Edition cars were produced to commemorate the Millennium Products Award from the [[Design Council]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/about-us/Our-History/Millennium-Products/|title=Design Council website|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827103933/http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/about-us/Our-History/Millennium-Products/|archive-date=27 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> in 1999 for being 'The first Ford in Britain designed solely on computer and in record time.' The Millennium Edition Puma featured eye-catching Zinc Yellow paintwork, and an Alchemy Blue (dark/navy blue) leather interior with [[Recaro]] seats. A numbered badge and keyring were available upon purchase from Ford, but the cars were not automatically numbered.

Quantity produced: 1600 <ref>{{cite book|isbn=0860249042|date=2002|title=Puma the inside story|publisher=Autosport Special Projects|page=68}}</ref>

Quantity remaining registered with DVLA (UK): 319302 (including 230226 that are SORN) as of Q3 20222023<ref name="Ford Puma, How Many Left" />

Quantity remaining registered with DVLA (UK): 600557 (including 367371 that are SORN) as of Q3 20222023<ref name="Ford Puma, How Many Left" />

The Ford Racing Puma was the name eventually given to Ford's concept Puma, the Puma ST160 Concept, which was first unveiled to the public at the [[Geneva Motor Show#1999|1999 Geneva Motor Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carenthusiast.com/ge99_for.htm|title=1999 FRP @ Geneva Motorshow}}</ref> At the time, Ford were keen to stress that this was no mere styling job and the idea was to transfer the know-how and technology learned directly from Ford Puma race and rally programmes to a road car. It was created by the Ford Rally specialist team at [[Boreham]]. The strictly limited production run was initially pencilled to run for 1000 units, with 500 destined for the German market, and 500 for the UK. All conversions were carried out by [[Tickford]], Daventry UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.btinternet.com/~aff/TickfordOwnersClub/other.htm|title=Tickford Build the Racing Puma|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126233224/http://www.btinternet.com/~aff/TickfordOwnersClub/other.htm|archive-date=26 January 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the end, only the 500 destined for the UK market were produced and sold.

For the Racing Puma, Ford partnered with Alcon Design to produce a 4-Piston Motorsport braking system. The Alcon Racing Front Brake calipers use {{convert|295|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} x 28mm discs (253mm discs on the rear). These brakes are one of the defining attributes of the Racing Puma and they contribute significantly to enabling the standard {{convert|1174|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} car to pull a substantial 1.1g+ of braking force in the dry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.italiancar.com.au/pilot/feature006.htm|title=Gallardo Braking Performance|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227014241/http://www.italiancar.com.au/pilot/feature006.htm|archive-date=27 February 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This compares well to the normal Puma's ability to achieve 0.7g on regular, smaller, {{convert|258|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} x {{convert|22|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} brake discs and calipers.

The original design remit was to achieve 180&nbsp;bhp using a 1.7-litre Zetec SE equipped with a [[turbocharger]]. However, due to spiralling project costs, this was not achieved and eventually the Racing Puma engineers were forced to keep their changes within a naturally aspirated engine. The majority of the engine remained unchanged from the 1.7 Zetec SE used in the standard Puma. Only the camshafts, air intake (with the unique edition number engraved on it), a specially tuned complete exhaust system by Janspeed, and a revised engine management software helped to increase power by 30&nbsp;hp, reducing the 0-{{convert|62|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} time to 7.8 seconds, achieving a 126 &nbsp;mph (203 &nbsp;km/h) top speed.

=== Rallying ===

[[File:Ford Puma rally car Group B.jpg|right|thumb|Ford Puma rally car Groupof B (Andrew Costin-Hurley and Bryan Hull) at Trax 2006]]

The fuel tank was a 55-litre capacity FIA ‘bag’'bag' tank located beneath the rear floor. Wheels were Tarmac 7 x 17 in [[aluminium]] wheels or 6 x 15 in aluminium wheels for gravel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gorallyschool.co.uk/puma.html |title=Ford Puma S1600 Rally Car Technical Info |publisher=Gorallyschool.co.uk |access-date=2010-10-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805153530/http://www.gorallyschool.co.uk/puma.html |archive-date=5 August 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Stylistically, the Puma followed Ford's [[New Edge]] design strategy, as first seen in the 1996 [[Ford Ka]]. <ref>{{cite book|isbn=0860249042|date=2002|title=Puma the inside story|publisher=Autosport Special Projects|page=25}}</ref> While not as controversial as the Ka when it first appeared, the Puma did achieve critical acclaim for its well-proportioned and cat-like design cues.

The Puma was memorable for its pan-European launch campaign that featured [[Steve McQueen]]. <ref>{{cite book|isbn=0860249042|date=2002|title=Puma the inside story|publisher=Autosport Special Projects|page=44}}</ref> The original United Kingdom [[television advertisement]] used clips from the movie ''[[Bullitt]]'' and cut McQueen into the modern setting of a Puma in [[San Francisco]]. In Q4 2004, Ford once again used the McQueen footage for the first 2005 [[Ford Mustang]] commercial in the United States. Both commercials were directed by British director Paul Street, and won many advertising industry awards, featuring in all-time top 10 ad charts.

The Puma was only sold in Europe. Production ended in 2001, although sale of stock vehicles continued into 2002. Ford did not replace it with another small coupé, and instead introduced the [[Ford Ka#StreetKa and SportKa|Ford StreetKa]], a two-seater convertible based on the Fiesta like the Puma was. The StreetKa also borrowed the Puma's transmission and suspension. There are 7,909493 Ford Pumas (including cars declared as SORN) that remain registered with the [[DVLA]] in the UK as of Q3 20222023.<ref name="Ford Puma, How Many Left" /> However, the name was revived by Ford as a crossover model in 2019.

{{Reflist|30em}}