The electrified Ford ST costs more, is less powerful but ECO labeled and has an automatic transmission

With the implementation of the Low Emission Zone (ZBE) in many cities and the resulting restrictions, the ECO or ZERO label has become a primary requirement for many car buyers.

Automakers are aware of this, and most of their new models now come with one of these two badges, especially the ECO. To obtain this sticker, all you have to do is add a micro-hybridization system to an existing combustion engine.

Same recipe with another engine

Ford already has experience in this area, as it had already built a mild hybrid system into its 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine , with a 48-volt power grid to electrify much of its lineup. This time around it has used it again, but this is the first time it has applied it to one of its sporty models, including the Ford Puma ST .

Until now, the brand's crossover used the same engine as the Ford Fiesta ST , a 1.5-liter three-cylinder block that develops 200 hp, without electrification, and with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, thus satisfying the C label.

However, Ford decided that its small sports car could be more versatile with an ECO label. After all, it's an urban SUV that's not only designed for mountain roads, but also to perform like a fish in water around town. By adding the distinctive blue and green, the Puma ST becomes more versatile in this scenario and gets rid of all the current restrictions, thus painting a brighter future in this area.

How did Ford manage to get the Puma ST? It's very simple: as with the other models in the range, they have combined a mild hybrid system with the 1.0 EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine and adjusted it to match the ST standard.

Prior to the arrival of the new Puma ST, the micro-hybrid engine had a peak output of just 155 horsepower, available in either the Ford Focus or the Ford Puma itself. In the Puma ST it now produces 170 horsepower and a peak torque of 248 Nm, although it is still less powerful than the non-hybrid 1.5-litre engine in the Ford Puma ST. Additionally, it can only be paired with a seven-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.

With the 200 horsepower engine, the Puma ST can reach a speed of 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, a top speed of 220 km/h and an average consumption of 6.6 l/100 km. With the 170 horsepower MHEV engine , it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, reach a top speed of 210 km/h and have an average consumption of 6.3 l/100 km.

As for other aspects, the configuration remains unchanged, although the presence of the small 0.38 kWh lithium battery and the rest of the micro-hybrid system slightly increases the weight of the Puma ST by 200 hp. While the previous version weighed 1,358 kg, the MHEV version weighs 36 kg more, reaching a total weight of 1,394 kg. However, the trunk retains a capacity of 456 litres.

Already on sale

And what about the cost? The 200 CV Ford Puma ST EcoBoost was available from 36,563 euros, but it is no longer offered in the configurator. The new 170 HP Ford Puma ST MHEV starts at a price of 37,399 euros, which makes it more expensive by 836 euros. However, thanks to current Ford discounts, it is possible to get it at a price of 32,415 euros.

In comparison, the Ford Fiesta ST is the cheapest of the Ford ST range , with a price of 31,249 euros without discount and a power of 200 HP. The Ford Focus ST , on the other hand, is available from 43,369 euros with a power of 280 CV and a manual transmission, without ECO label.