Yesterday I visited the Ford Sollers plant in Yelabuga, witnessed the first Ford Kuga rolled off the assembly line, assembled using full-cycle technology, and drove a 170-horsepower diesel Kuga along the factory track. I can already say for sure that this version of the American crossover is just a fairy tale. The car is surprisingly clear in control and amazes with dynamics - somehow you don’t expect such agility from a crossover. All in all, it's love at first sight. I liked the little red little car - he is the twin brother of the first Kuga, solemnly presented to us during the launch ceremony.
1. Getting up early, a couple of hours on the bus, which worked as a Universiade "shuttle" in the summer, and now we are approaching the special economic zone "Alabuga". On the bus I met Alfred, my guide partner in the spring.
2. We are warmly welcomed at the entrance. The inside is amazingly clean and comfortable. Guests are gathering, and production is working in the usual rhythm. In a couple of minutes the ceremony will begin, but for now the buffet)
3. The ceremony will be opened by Ford Sollers JV President and CEO Ted Cannis and Ford Sollers JV First Vice President and CEO Adil Shirinov.
4. Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman William Clay Ford Jr., great-grandson of the famous Henry Ford. For me, standing next to the head of an international automonster was like talking to an alien)
5. Prime Minister of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov. He told us exactly how the fairy tale came true)
6. Vadim Shvetsov, General Director of OAO SOLLERS, shared his ambitious plans for the development of production.
7. Journalists almost tore apart the great-grandson of the famous Ford. Bill did a great job and politely answered all the questions of pen and microphone sharks)
8. It's great that the employees of the plant were invited to the ceremony. Whose holiday is this if not theirs?
9. Now a bird will fly out)
Departure of the first Kuga, produced by full-cycle technology in Yelabuga. "Pants Turn" (on auto audio only)
10. Here he is, handsome. Before, I didn’t come across red-haired Kugs.
11. Autographs of the first persons of the corporation and the republic on the hood.
12. Photo for memory.
13. Red Kuga is the star of many photo shoots today.
14. Almost a car dealership photo. The model and the machine are exactly the same)
15. The design of the new Kuga is considered controversial by many, but I really like it.
16. The red color of this car is uniquely to the face.
16. Yura Chislov, whom I invited here, apparently also thinks so)
17. On this little red Kug, I famously raced along the factory track. However, famously - this is not quite the right wording.
18. I drove quietly and carefully. But at the very first serious obstacle, shouting "Banzai", he pressed the gas pedal to the floor. Kuga obediently galloped over artificial potholes. No squeaks, no rattles. The representative of the factory sitting with me turned pale - the car was shaking so that it seemed that the racks were about to pierce the hood. Slow down - my navigator asked with horror - but we have already left on a flat road.
19. I drove this car already as a passenger. The back seat is quite comfortable.
20. I wanted to take a little ride around the plant, but the tour of production was already beginning.
21. Two models are assembled at this plant - Kuga and Explorer.
22. There are many robots in the shops, but many operations are performed manually.
23. You need to work in special glasses - sometimes sheaves of sparks fly here. We were also given points.
24. Mostly men work here.
25. Workers of all ages.
26. Cables, robots, some complicated mechanisms everywhere.
27. At the same time, perfect cleanliness and fresh air are everywhere. The hood here, apparently, is at the level.
28. For some reason, I expected that there would be no people here at all ...
29. Colleagues staged a real photo massacre here)
30. You need to be careful - there is quite active traffic here, there are special sidewalks for pedestrians.
31. Women still work in some places.
32. And as soon as the workers understand all these mechanisms ...
33. Somehow involuntarily imbued with respect for these people.
34. Robots. They look very impressive. But when I tried to make a video, they started to become passive. I had to catch up with our group, so there will be no video.
35. We had a guide. But in pursuit of successful shots, I, unfortunately, missed almost all of his words past my ears.
36. So many of the processes taking place in these photos are still full of mysteries for me.
44. The first industrial conveyor, if you remember, was introduced precisely at Ford. Its principle was learned by the great Henry somewhere in the slaughterhouses in Chicago.
45. It is very interesting to watch how cars, moving along the conveyor, are overgrown with new details.
46. Time to put on shoes)
47. With wheels somehow familiar ...
48. Well, it already looks like a car)
49. Here, apparently, they are looking for flaws in the painting.
50. It's time to install chairs.
51. The cars are almost ready.
52. Light up!
53. That's all - the car is ready. This is a sporty version of the Ford Explorer. Now it will be tested on the track.
54. We say goodbye to this with the plant and Kuga - it's time to go to Kazan.
I promise - since during the tour I was not attentive enough, I will definitely return here. And I will even try to spend one day at the plant as a worker. I also think to ride on different versions of Kuga and Explorer, produced in Yelabuga. By the way, the line of factory models will expand, so there will be
MORE CARS, GOOD AND DIFFERENT!)))
The crossover segment in our country is one of the largest. SUVs account for 40% of sales. Therefore, it is not surprising that each brand is trying to bite off the biggest piece of this pie.
Ford does not stand aside either. Recently, sales of the updated Kuga have gone uphill, but this model is still not up to the Top 10 level. Let's try to determine what an American might like.
The facelifted Kuga received new adaptive bi-xenon headlights, an Edge-style grille and other taillights. The car has become more brutal, while it looks strictly according to the canons of the American brand - the SUV is recognizable and fits perfectly into the Ford lineup.
What's inside? Immediately pay attention to the bulges and bulges in the interior of the car. This approach may confuse many, but somehow I can’t make any claims about this personally.
But the SYNC 3 multimedia system with an 8-inch display, unfortunately, did not really like it. Yes, it is ten times more productive than before and is able to interact with smartphones using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Not buggy, not stupid, the picture quality is at the level.
But multimedia is in a niche, the walls of which partially cover the view. Plus, you have to reach for the buttons, while driving it is very difficult to use them.
What really cannot be faulted is the quality of the materials. Soft plastic everywhere, touching it is a pleasure.
On the driver's seat, you can find the fit you need right away - the number of adjustments is enough. The only pity is that massive A-pillars interfere with good visibility.
There is enough space for both front and rear passengers. On the second row there is an adjustment of the backrest of the rear sofa, a folding armrest, cup holders, ventilation deflectors and folding tables.
The fifth door can be opened contactless, and 456 liters fit into the trunk. The average indicator for this class, but there are hooks for bags and packages, and under the floor there is an organizer.
In Russia, Kuga is sold with one 2.5-liter 150-horsepower aspirated engine and two 1.5-liter EcoBoost engines with 150 and 182 hp. respectively. The motors are aggregated exclusively with a six-speed "automatic", the drive is front or full.
A crossover with the top-end engine came to our test. Acceleration to "hundreds" of the 182-horsepower Kuga is almost 10 seconds. For a long time? Well, firstly, in the SUV segment, cars do not shine with their dynamics (certainly among cars of this price category), and secondly, in reality, it’s definitely impossible to call an “American” slow.
In urban conditions, if you want to participate in competitions from one traffic light to another, you definitely will not swallow the dust from the wheels from competitors flying by.
At the same time, it cannot be said that with a turbo engine, the Kuga is already very economical. For a week, the average consumption, taking into account standing in traffic jams, was more than 11 liters. But there is a plus - an American can "digest" the AI-92.
The car is equipped with a classic torque converter "automatic" 6F35. And there are no problems with him. The box works smoothly and without any twitching.
The suspension transmits light pokes to the body when driving through small irregularities, but medium potholes pass without problems. The only downside is that large holes threaten to become a problem - in this case, breakdown can be achieved very easily. Isolation from external noise is also on the level.
Kuga steers perfectly: the car enters turns quickly and without drifting, stands steadily on the trajectory and almost flawlessly responds to the driver's actions.
Like any self-respecting crossover of the 21st century, the American has got a bunch of assistants and useful options. So, the SUV has a lane assistant with lane departure warning and lane keeping systems, a parking warning system and adaptive bi-xenon headlights.
Active Park Assist has received the function of perpendicular parking, and the Active City Stop automatic braking function works at speeds up to 50 km / h. Do not forget about seat heating, steering wheel, windshield, mirrors, washer nozzles - an "American" is adapted for life in Russia. The only thing missing is the projection on the glass - like the Mazda CX5.
In our country, prices for Kuga start from 1,399,000 rubles. For this money, you can buy a car with front-wheel drive, a 2.5-liter engine (150 hp). With the most powerful engine (182 hp) and in the top configuration, the crossover will cost more than 2 million rubles.
The main rivals are Volkswagen Tiguan (from 1,349,000 rubles), Toyota RAV4 (from 1,450,000 rubles), Mazda CX-5 (from 1,431,000 rubles) and Kia Sportage (from 1,269,900 rubles). At the same time, prices for competitors start for versions with mechanics, and the cost of cars with automatic transmission is already much higher, while Ford's initial price is for the version with "automatic".
The Ford Kuga is a weighted and balanced car. Yes, it has its drawbacks, but they do not spoil the overall impression. It is comfortable to be in and interesting to drive.
Smart crossover Ford Kuga 2017 model year, the full-cycle production of which started at the company's plant in Yelabuga, is already available from official Ford dealers in 50 cities of Russia - from Kaliningrad to Irkutsk.
The new Ford Kuga is available to Russian buyers in four trim levels - Trend, Trend Plus, Titanium and Titanium Plus - at a special price from 1,149,000 rubles, taking into account all existing marketing programs.
The engine range of the new crossover includes a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine with 150 and 182 hp, as well as a 2.5-liter engine with 150 hp. Both engines are available paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and are certified for operation on the AI-92.
Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions are available.
The new 2017 Ford Kuga offers innovative technologies such as Lane Keeping Aid, including Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Aid; rear cross-traffic alert system and adaptive bi-xenon headlights.
The 2017 Kuga is also equipped with the upgraded Active Park Assist, which now has a perpendicular parking function, and the Active City Stop automatic braking system, the response range of which has been increased from 30 km/h to 50 km/h. In addition, all new Kuga smart crossovers are equipped with the ERA-GLONASS emergency call system.
The 2017 Russian-made Kuga also offers the new SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch high-resolution color touch screen, Bluetooth and Russian-language voice control, AppLink, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android.
The new smart crossover is maximally adapted to the climatic and road conditions of Russia - customers have access to an expanded package of winter options, including electric heating of the steering wheel, front seats, windshield and wiper rest area, as well as heated windshield washer nozzles located under the hood.
Ford Sollers provides buyers of the new Ford Kuga smart crossover with a unique opportunity to purchase a car under the terms of the Ford Options* program, under which customers receive the opportunity to constantly upgrade the car, a dealer buyback guarantee and a reduced monthly payment - from 8,900 rubles / month **.
And for existing Ford Credit customers, there is a special Ford Options Return Customer Upgrade Offer*** with a reduced interest rate and other perks.
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Test drive Ford Kuga 2.5 (150 hp) automatic transmission in Trend Plus configuration
- Sergey How did you test the car and did not notice that it has a 6-speed automatic transmission? ...
- zexx Thanks for the correction - I really messed it up .. It just doesn’t behave like a modern 6-speed, but rather like a 15-year-old 5-speed - ...
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- zexx Kuga and ix35 are direct competitors, so the comparison is possible only on personal preferences.. Go for a test drive to dealers and decide what is closer to you personally.. By…
- Lorik I have owned Kuga for 2 years, and I am generally very satisfied. As the city and off-road behaves excellently. It snowed in the Lagonaki mountains in April, they were on summer tires ...
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A dynamic crossover with a striking design and excellent driving characteristics, the Ford Kuga won the hearts of more than one motorist. But, before buying this handsome man, drivers want to know, ?
The model that the American brand created for the European and CIS market to compete with the Nissan Qashqai was first produced in Germany at the Ford Motors plant in Saarlouis. But, the growing demand of Russian consumers made the manufacturer think about starting car assembly in the Russian Federation. The eminent auto brand chose the Sollers plant in Yelabuga (Republic of Tatarstan), where some of its models are made.
Where and how is Ford Kuga assembled in Russia
Since 2012, the assembly of the first Ford Kuga has started in Yelabuga. This is not the first model of the American brand that rolls off the assembly line of a local factory. The successful production of other Fords is also established here: Tourneo, Explorer, S-Max, Galaxy, Transit, EcoSport 2015.
A year later, in 2013, the company launched the production of the second generation of the popular model using full cycle technology: body welding, painting, final assembly. It is these cars that travel on domestic roads and neighboring countries. And they are not inferior in quality to their counterparts created on the European conveyor.
It is known that the cost of a car depends on who collects it. The Russian production of Ford Kuga did its job: the price of the crossover turned out to be quite affordable.
The model pleased the consumer with everything: spectacular design, economical engine, high-quality interior trim. Still would! After all, the Tatar conveyor, where Ford Kuga is assembled for Russia, fully complies with the standards of the auto brand. Each detail goes through several stages of control - to guarantee the impeccable quality of the crossover loved by many.
Russian version of the Ford Kuga. What is she
The current Ford Kuga model is equipped with 1.6-liter EcoBoost gasoline engines. They give out from 150 to 185 hp, and are aggregated with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. But, in 2014, the engine line was replenished with another one - a 2.5-liter gasoline unit. A diesel version is also presented: a 140-horsepower Duratorq engine is paired with a six-speed PowerShift “robot”.
The manufacturer calls the crossover the “smartest” in its history and offers motorists to evaluate the mass of electronic assistants and innovative technologies.
But, in practice, locally assembled Ford Kuga still has flaws: the turbine needs repair after a couple of hundred kilometers, and the suspension “naughty” when speed bumps pass.
The second generation Ford Kuga for the US market is produced in Louisville (USA).
