Ford Kuga

[Petemate]

Just watched the tow car test with David Motton in the seat. A very good watch; especially as the test car was the heavy and excellent higher-powered version. Overall, the test was impressive. However, I cannot understand why the car provided was not equipped woith summer tyres - the lane-changing part of the test expectedly produced alarming rear tyre squeal on the car. David did point out that the car was still equipped with winter tyres. A shame, as I reckon this car at the nice high kerb weight would have fared very well with the correct tyres on. Would it have been a good idea for the test to be carried out on the proviso that the vehicle had correct tyres fitted for the season, or does PCVN have no say in these matters?
I am always impressed by David's tests; he is honest with the way the cars behave and I would trust his judgement if I was able to go for any car he tests.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Just watched the tow car test with David Motton in the seat. A very good watch; especially as the test car was the heavy and excellent higher-powered version. Overall, the test was impressive. However, I cannot understand why the car provided was not equipped woith summer tyres - the lane-changing part of the test expectedly produced alarming rear tyre squeal on the car. David did point out that the car was still equipped with winter tyres. A shame, as I reckon this car at the nice high kerb weight would have fared very well with the correct tyres on. Would it have been a good idea for the test to be carried out on the proviso that the vehicle had correct tyres fitted for the season, or does PCVN have no say in these matters?
I am always impressed by David's tests; he is honest with the way the cars behave and I would trust his judgement if I was able to go for any car he tests.

PCVN?? Whatever that is

Perhaps the test was carried out during the winter!

 

[otherclive]

Are you sure they were winter tyres as "Mud and Snow" tyres are standard fit on most Kugas. They are not winter tyres though. They are an all seasons type of tyre and quite a number of car makers are now fitting them.

 

[Petemate]

PCVN?? Whatever that is

Perhaps the test was carried out during the winter!

PCVN - Practical Caravan.
I am sure the test was not in the winter, it has just come on to Facebook within the last week, and David said "The car still has the winter tyres on" - I don't think he would have said that if it was still winter.

 

[Petemate]

Are you sure they were winter tyres as "Mud and Snow" tyres are standard fit on most Kugas. They are not winter tyres though. They are an all seasons type of tyre and quite a number of car makers are now fitting them.

I was going on what David said - he definitely said the car was "still on winter tyres".

Other than that, the car appeared to be a very good towcar.

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi all , I must admit, I have not seen this test done on the telly but we got a Ford Kuga last year, not the four wheel drive version but the two wheel drive version, still a 2 litre turbo 150 Bhp and I must admit it is one hell of a tow car you don't even know that the caravan is on the back and we are pulliing a sprite major 6td weighing in at around the 1500 mark , no complaints from us .
Craig.

 

[otherclive]

Would that be the ecoboost petrol version? Petrol turbos do make good tow cars as shown by the Audi TFSI in the P C tow car tests. Mpg won't be as good as diesel but petrol a do have significant advantages in other areas. One big plus must be no DPF.

 

[Craigyoung]

2 litre turbo diesel not petrol, sorry !!

 

[Petemate]

2 litre turbo diesel not petrol, sorry !!

Craig that is good. So with your findings, I reckon the 175 bhp one would fly!

 

[ProfJohnL]

PCVN?? Whatever that is

Perhaps the test was carried out during the winter!

PCVN - Practical Caravan.
I am sure the test was not in the winter, it has just come on to Facebook within the last week, and David said "The car still has the winter tyres on" - I don't think he would have said that if it was still winter.

Most of us shorten Practical Caravan to just PC.

And in answer to you original question, I am certain that PC may request a particular specification, but ultimately it will be down to whichever dealer supplies the car has available.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Most of us shorten Practical Caravan to just PC.

... or PCv, so as not to confuse it with computers.

 

[Petemate]

Most of us shorten Practical Caravan to just PC.

... or PCv, so as not to confuse it with computers.

Like that.
Going slightly off topic, how does the Insignia go with the 170 BHP motor? And is it an estate? (always liked the Insignias, as we have the 150 Tid Saab Sportwagon)

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Going slightly off topic, is it an estate? (always liked the Insignias, as we have the 150 Tid Saab Sportwagon)

No, saloon and diesel manual

how does the Insignia go with the 170 BHP motor?

Fantastic. The V5 quotes the Mass In Service as 1613 kg, but the local weighbridge shows the kerb weight to be 1700 kg in its final trim with fuel, full size spare wheel and retractable tow ball (no driver). With the van at 1250 kg MTPLM (towing ratio 74%) I seldom change out of 6th gear on motorways. My previous car, 130 PS 1.7 diesel Astra, didn't like slight inclines on motorways, hence the change to the Insignia.

 

[Martin24]

Wandered along a bit late in the chat but don't forget that the torque figures are of more use generally for towing than the bhp.

 

[LizziePope]

Hi guys and sorry to being late to reply. Firstly, I'm glad the Kuga tow test video hit the spot.

In response to the query about tyres, it was fitted with whatever Ford supplied it with! The test was carried out a few months ago (April, maybe?). Granted, that's probably past the time that most people would choose to have winter tyres fitted, but perhaps Ford hadn't had a chance to switch them? Sorry I can't be of any more help.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Wandered along a bit late in the chat but don't forget that the torque figures are of more use generally for towing than the bhp.

I quite agree that torque figures are important but the figure is not as generally available as the power figure (which is quite often in the description and is on the V5c certificate).

 

[Petemate]

Wandered along a bit late in the chat but don't forget that the torque figures are of more use generally for towing than the bhp.

Oh yes, Martin, aware of that. The Saab has a measly 236 ft/lbs. It doesn't do bad though, better since I stripped and cleaned out the intake manifold. I would still like a more powerful car though, either the Saab TTid or a Superb estate with the 170.

 

[Petemate]

Hi guys and sorry to being late to reply. Firstly, I'm glad the Kuga tow test video hit the spot.

In response to the query about tyres, it was fitted with whatever Ford supplied it with! The test was carried out a few months ago (April, maybe?). Granted, that's probably past the time that most people would choose to have winter tyres fitted, but perhaps Ford hadn't had a chance to switch them? Sorry I can't be of any more help.

Thanks Lizzie! Message for David - I really like his towcar tests. Keep 'em coming!!
Pete

 

[otherclive]

Wandered along a bit late in the chat but don't forget that the torque figures are of more use generally for towing than the bhp.

Oh yes, Martin, aware of that. The Saab has a measly 236 ft/lbs. It doesn't do bad though, better since I stripped and cleaned out the intake manifold. I would still like a more powerful car though, either the Saab TTid or a Superb estate with the 170.

I am surprised that you consider the SAAB to have a measly torque as the 170PS Superb has 258 ftlb/ or 350NM which doesn't seem to eb that far apart does it. However I have recently had Superb Estate 4x4 CR 170PS DSG and it fully lives up to its name and I can see how it has won so many awards as a tow car. My previous recent tow cars were a 2004 Sorento auto, XC70D5AWD auto, and Subaru Forester 2.0XE petrol. The Subaru wasn't bought as a tow car as we gave up caravanning some three years ago. But having second thoughts we bought a Sprite 1300kg MTPLM which should have been well within the Subarus capability It was stable and towed the outfit at my required speeds but oh the engine revs required were too high for a relaxed drive and its lack of torque (146ftlbs)meant that acceleration to overtake or join the M ways required too many revs so with great reluctance we decided to part company and quite by chance I came across a late 2014 Superb with low miles and so did almost A straight swop.

After five trips out now in the Superb it beat the XC70 on space, and apart from the fact that the Sorento with low drive could go almost anywhere and put a caravan on or off an uneven wet or muddy pitch the Superb is the better of them all. It is so spacious that I can sit in the drivers seat and then place all of my 6ft 4inch in the rear seat without any knee contact. In the Xc70 my grand daughter was constrained when she sat behind me and at that time she was only 9 years old. I like its flexibilty in particular that the rear seat bases flip up and allow our heavy crATES and awning etc to be carried there. For some trips the dogs have had the load area to themselves. It has full size spare wheel and 100kg roof loading too. Overall I get 50-55mpg on solo runs to the Midlands and on a long M way run when towing i got 30-32mpg. The Subaru managed 20-22mpg when towing this van.

Given that there isn't a massive difference between the Saab torque and the Skoda torque I can only assume that the latters excellent performance (on a par with the XC70AWD D5) at 205ps/420Nm but much heavier) is due to the way in which the engine management system and gearing kick in. If I was mischievous I am sure that I could embarrass numerous drivers of solo cars when they pull out to get past me as I enter a section of dual carriageway after a period of two lane driving. But I don't.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Wandered along a bit late in the chat but don't forget that the torque figures are of more use generally for towing than the bhp.

I quite agree that torque figures are important but the figure is not as generally available as the power figure (which is quite often in the description and is on the V5c certificate).

Just looked up the torque figure for our Insignia - it is 295 ft lb (400 Nm). Not bad

 

[otherclive]

That's good at what revs is peak torque? The 170PS Superb is very low at 1750rpm.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

1750 to 2500 rpm

 

[Martin24]

Wandered along a bit late in the chat but don't forget that the torque figures are of more use generally for towing than the bhp.

I quite agree that torque figures are important but the figure is not as generally available as the power figure (which is quite often in the description and is on the V5c certificate).

Just looked up the torque figure for our Insignia - it is 295 ft lb (400 Nm). Not bad

That's about where we are with the Isuzu. This has dropped to 360Nm with the new D-Max and where we'll be with the Merc when it comes. Hopefully we won't notice too much difference.