Ford Reveals Puma Gen-E, The Sub-Compact Electric Crossover Continuing The Fiesta's Legacy

Ford Reveals Puma Gen-E, The Sub-Compact Electric Crossover Continuing The Fiesta’s Legacy

Ford has taken the wraps off its newest EV, turning the European-market Puma crossover into a mini Mustang Mach-E lookalike called the Puma Gen-E. This new model isn’t a replacement for the existing lineup, which comprises hybrid powertrains and the Puma ST – the de facto replacement for the now-defunct Ford Fiesta ST. The Puma Gen-E joins a growing lineup of European EVs Americans don’t get access to, which includes the new Ford Capri and Explorer EV, both of which are based on VW’s MEB platform underpinning the ID.4.

Ford

Ford is one of America’s oldest automakers and one of the oldest in the world, popularized for being the first to effectively mass produce the automobile under Henry Ford with the Ford Model T. In over 120 years, Ford has become a sales leader in a variety of segments, with popular nameplates like the Ford F-150, Transit, and Mustang.

Founded: June 16, 1903
Founder: Henry Ford
Headquarters: Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Owned By: Publicly Traded
Current CEO: Jim Farley

Punchy Performance, But Not An Electrifying Experience

Despite Mach-E-aping looks, the Puma Gen-E doesn’t quite deliver the same electrifying performance. The subcompact crossover is capable of 234 miles of electric driving range on the WLTP cycle courtesy of a 43 kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery pack. It’s capable of DC fast charging at rates of up to 100 kW, replenishing 10-80% SOC in 23.2 minutes – well below the fastest in the industry.

New Ford Capri Revival Is Another Mustang Mach-E Moment

Yet again, a once sacred name is being repurposed for a completely new role as an crossover. At least there’s up to 336 hp on tap.

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As for outright performance, there’s nothing here that’ll blow you away. The Puma Gen-E is front-wheel drive only, with a single electric motor generating 166 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. Ford claims a 0-62 mph time of eight seconds flat from the 3,445-pound EV, putting it well behind the closest rival sold stateside, the Kona Electric, which has up to 201 hp in top spec (only 133 hp in base trim) and will hit 60 mph closer to six seconds.

Ford Puma Gen-E Specs At A Glance
Powertrain	Single-motor electric
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive
Power	166 hp
Torque	214 lb-ft
0-62 MPH	8 Seconds
Battery Capacity	43 kWh
Driving Range	234 Miles

Practical EV Conversion Reveals Useful Frunk

Typically, converting ICE-powered vehicles to EVs means you can say goodbye to the notion of a practical frunk, but the Puma Gen-E has a small 1.5 cubic-foot compartment where the engine used to be to go along with a 20.2 cubic-foot trunk with the second-row seats in place.

The interior of the Puma Gen-E remains largely unchanged, sporting Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment suite on a 12-inch central infotainment display, a 12.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and Alexa built-in. A standard array of safety and assistance features includes cruise control with a speed limiter, driver alert, lane-keeping assist, rear park sensor, and speed sign recognition, but the Puma Gen-E is otherwise quite basic. That’s to help it achieve an attainable price, which is set at £29,995 – approximately $38,000 at the time of writing. That’s only $3,800 more than the standard Puma, making the Puma Gen-E Ford’s most affordable EV in Europe. For reference, the Kona Electric has a price tag of $33,000 in the US for the 2024 model year.

There’s no chance of the Puma Gen-E coming to the US, so it remains a forbidden fruit, as Ford has no interest in smaller models for the US market and has adapted its EV push to focus on hybrids instead of battery EVs. The question is whether you think the Mustang Mach-E needs a baby brother or not. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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