Ford Puma ST launches in NZ, still not coming to Australia

The 2023 Ford Puma ST has landed in New Zealand, but it won’t come to Australia.

A Ford Australia spokesperson told Wheels it still has no plans to bring the Puma ST here.

The sporty light SUV will be exclusively available in New Zealand in automatic, mild-hybrid form – a variant added in Europe earlier this year after the manual Puma ST launched in 2020.

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While the manual Puma ST shares its 147kW/320Nm 1.5-litre turbo-three powertrain with the defunct Fiesta ST hot hatch, the automatic version uses a more potent version of the Puma's 1.0-litre engine with hybrid assist.

It produces 118kW/200Nm – up 26kW/30kW over local Puma examples but down 29kW/120Nm over the manual Puma ST.

With the 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the Puma ST’s belt-driven integrated starter/generator allows a short power boost to offer a 125kW/248Nm peak output at a lower engine rpm.

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The 0-100km/h sprint is completed in 7.4 seconds compared to 6.7 seconds for the manual ST. Fuel efficiency is rated at 6.2L/100km and 140g/km.

Arriving now in New Zealand Ford showrooms, the Puma ST is priced from NZ$46,490 plus on-road costs (AU$43,000).

Enhancements over the standard Puma include a 50 per cent stiffer rear torsion beam, front and rear anti-roll bars, force vectoring springs, Hitachi twin-tube frequency-reactive dampers, a 25 per cent faster steering ratio, an active exhaust valve, unique front knuckles, steering arm and steering rack gearing, and larger front brake discs.

It also features 19-inch magnetite alloy wheels, a larger rear spoiler, a Ford Performance-embossed front splitter to increase downforce, a rear diffuser, unique grilles, black exterior trim, a signature vasttraffic blue colour, and sports seats.

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It is paired to the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard Puma variants, which have a non-electrified version of the 1.0-litre engine in Australia.

Other Fords sold in New Zealand but recently axed in Australia include the Focus hatch and the Escape mid-size SUV, which is available in full-hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

An all-electric Puma is confirmed for Australia in 2024, likely joined by a facelift for the internal-combustion version.