… except in NZ. Ford here continues to reiterate the model’s local role relies on the EV sector improving.

THE small electric crossover Ford NZ u-turned on in September due to softening of battery car sales, a year after signalling intent to take it, has finally revealed.

The Puma Gen-E is based on the existing front-wheel-drive crossover sold in New Zealand, currently in a mild hybrid format having started out as a pure petrol.

Ford New Zealand said today there’s no change on its sentiment toward the car, which it would like to have but won’t bring in until the electric vehicle market picks up again. 

At present EV sales are almost 80 percent down year on year, and distributors - Ford included - have had to fire sale rapidly ageing inventory (in their case 2023 Mustang Mach-E) for massively reduced prices.

It’s a radically different situation to how the Auckland-based brand felt in late 2023, when Puma Gen-E was officially notified. Then, Ford NZ said it was anxious to take the model as soon as it could.

Now it’s out and, in a different climate, likely would have potential to be noticed.

The model offers an official range of up to 376 kilometres on a charge, with drive coming from a single electric motor fed by a 43kWh lithium-ion battery.

The battery can be recharged at up to 100kW on a DC charger, for a 10-80 percent top up in a minimum of 23 minutes.

The battery size is quite modest by modern standards, but was selected to keep the car’s weight down (to 1563kg). Ford says this, and a focus on reduced aerodynamic drag, has allowed an official energy consumption figure of as low as 13.1kWh/100km.

The electric derivative slots the electric motor up front, in place of the ICE engine, and puts the battery under the floor. The removal of the petrol model’s fuel tank is a positive, as it enhances luggage space. Whereas the petrol type has a ’MegaBox’ underfloor storage, there’s now a ‘GigaBox’ offering to 574 litres of boot space - more than many much larger cars have. There’s also a 43 litre compartment under the bonnet, too.

Exterior design detailing to differentiate it from the petrol kind is modest. The grille is blanked off and styled in line with that of the Mach-E, plus it has white badging. And, of course, it divests exhaust pipes. The ‘Electric Yellow’ paint hue seen here is specific to the battery model.

The interior is little altered, save that the EV gets a new raised centre console f and a drive selector on the steering column.

The base model sits on 17-inch wheels, while a Premium version takes 18-inch wheels, and a slightly lower official range.

Ford NZ’s current Puma offering spans two mild hybrids in 1.0-litre $40,990 ST line and $47,490 ST formats. It had suggested the Gen-E would price above those.