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Ford and electric is a cautious step forward. There is the Mustang Mach-E, the Explorer and the new 100% electric Capri. But for the rest, we are on thermal, flex fuel or not. The Puma has a good face, a size and a crossover silhouette that appeals and it is not for nothing that it is the best-selling Ford in Europe.
Here, Ford has swapped liquid fuel for electrons. The battery is NMC type, aka Nickel Manganese Cobalt. The net useful capacity is 43.6 kWh and Ford has mainly focused on consumption to make something interesting out of this SUV. It is approved for 13.1 kWh/100 km and announces 376 km of WLTP autonomy. In the urban cycle, this increases to 523 km.
To recharge the battery, the Puma Gen-E can count on DC (direct current) fast charging up to 100 kW which allows 10 to 80% in 23 minutes. In addition to the electric aspect, the Gen-E is equipped by Ford with a new storage offer, the “GigaBox”. On the trunk side, this cubes to 523 liters under tension. And as the thermal releases at the front, a “frunk” (front trunk) of 43 liters is added. Enough to put charging cables and other trinkets.
A mini Mustang Mach-E
Ford Puma Gen-E 2024+13
Aesthetically, the Puma Gen-E is eyeing its big brothers with a full grille but suggested by a black surround. The aerodynamics have been modified to shave a few more kilometers off the range. At the rear, the spoiler is not used to flatten the car, but to channel the air flow and limit uncontrolled vortices, which are harmful to fuel consumption. Even the rims are specific and contribute to this reduced drag. Note that Ford could adopt the same solutions for thermal models and thus gain grams of CO2/km. But hey.
Inside, the Gen-E is distinguished from the thermal Puma by two HD screens. The central screen integrates SYNC 4 6, equipped with navigation 7 connected to the cloud. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow you to connect smartphones and use interesting applications. For voice commands, Alexa (Amazon) does it.
Ford was pragmatic and smart. The gear lever is moved from the center console and is found behind the steering wheel. You can have a “single-pedal” mode, a bit like bumper cars, with a real regenerative brake when you lift the accelerator. Some like it, others not at all. Finally, a little extra of electric, the Puma Gen-E goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds.
The engine is assembled in the UK at Ford's Halewood plant. The Puma Gen-E for its part is made in Romania since it is assembled in Craiova alongside the other “classic” Ford Pumas. For the launch, the Ford Puma Gen-e starts at a discounted price of €33,990 excluding CO2 bonus. You can order the Puma Gen-E now, with deliveries scheduled for spring 2025.
Our opinion, by leblogauto.com
With a price that climbs to €36,490 in Premium finish, the Ford Puma Gen-e finds itself head-to-head with the Peugeot e-2008 or the future Renault 4 E-Tech. And inevitably, the questions that arise for these vehicles also arise for the Ford Puma Gen-E: what is the usefulness of such a vehicle?
Expensive, not very autonomous as soon as you leave the cities, these vehicles have the versatility that their battery capacity grants them, that is to say not very high. What remains is a cute vehicle (the tastes and the colors…) which can serve as a second household vehicle, for every day.
But at this price, this ultimately reserves these vehicles for very few households. This will perhaps save Ford and others from owing billions of euros in penalties to Europe…we are saved! Otherwise, you take a Ford Puma whose discounted starting price is 22,990 in Titanium. Which leaves €7,000, or 4,250 liters of SP95 E10 at today's price. Plenty to see coming.
To summarize
Ford unveils the all-electric version of its Puma, the Puma Gen-E. It benefits fully from its electric engine by displaying a much greater carrying capacity, a more airy interior space, and above all sports-like acceleration.
However, at more than 200,000 Francs, we inevitably ask ourselves the question of the usefulness of these vehicles, which have very limited autonomy.
