Ford Europe will unveil at the Geneva Motor Show the 2009 Kuga, the first ever crossover designed and built by Ford in Europe. Kuga was first presented as the Iosis X Concept in 2006 at the Paris Motor Show and then as a prototype version at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Kuga will be made available with a 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 136 PS 100kW engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Applicable to both FWD and intelligent AWD derivatives the torque, performance and pulling power under all engine and vehicle load conditions have been perfectly calibrated to the new Ford Kuga. This engine provides high levels of torque – 320 Nm at 2,000rpm and 340 Nm in transient overboost.
FWD and intelligent AWD variants return favourable fuel economy figures of 6.3 and 6.4 litres of fuel per 100 km respectively, using the combined fuel consumption figures. The intelligent AWD figure of 169 g/km of CO 2 is class-leading.

More details can be found here.

I do find it strange that Ford have chosen to name this vehicle the Kuga, such a similar name to the Ford Cougar (available in UK) yet a completely different vehicle.

Anyone know where the name Kuga came from?

I would be interested myself as to the inspiration for the name Kuga since I thought the same thing about the name being close to the Cougar yet being such a different vehicle. Either way however I do like the pictures I have seen of the vehicle so far.

I don't know, there's something about the looks of the Kuga that I'm not keen on. I can't put my finger on what it is, just an amalgamation of little things I suppose making an overall odd picture. I think it's something to do with the ride height coupled with the downward sloping roof & spoiler.

The Cougar is an altogther better looking beast!

I do agree that the Cougar is a much better looking vehicle all around, but of course I haven't seen the Kuga up close and personal to know for sure which I like best. It would take a good test drive of both for me to fully decide I think.

The Kuga doesn't look all that appealing to me but I have to say the specs of the vehical look to be pretty good. Seems like they're going for performance over looks with the Kuga and that's something worthy of a thumbs up from me.

Heck I am going to go run a search for some pics. I have yet to see what it looks like. Curious as to what the body is like.

Did you find any Tater? Don't you think it looks like a vehicle that's started melting then been driven through a wind tunnel?

That is one of the most amazing comparisons to a car in my life. I wish it wasn't so true, but it is. The Kuga is a disgusting vehical.