1999 Ford Puma ST160 Concept - AllCarIndex

Ford pushes popular coupe to the extreme - The racing-inspired Ford Puma ST-160 concept

GENEVA, March 9, 1999 - Ford is testing public reaction at the 1999 Geneva International Motor Show with the exciting Ford Puma ST160 Concept - designed to add extreme performance appeal to a stylish sport coupe already acclaimed for its driving dynamics.

Since its launch in 1997, more than 47,000 Ford Pumas have been sold in Europe, and demand continues to outstrip supply. The Ford Puma ST160 Concept builds on this success, extending the distinctive New Edge styling cues and exhilarating driving dynamics of the standard car to create an exclusive and eye-catching performance vehicle.

Honed from existing Ford Puma race and rally programmes, Ford Puma ST160 Concept encapsulates key elements of this technology in a civilised, road-going package of matched components. Subject to public reaction, it is envisaged that customers could order the Ford Puma ST160 in limited numbers.

Alain Visser, Ford Puma Brand Manager, believes that given the strength of the Ford Puma following in Europe, the Ford Puma ST160 could become a true "collectors item."

Proven technology from Ford Racing programmes

"The Ford Puma ST160 project is a logical undertaking as all the ground work has been accomplished through motorsport projects," explained Philip Dunabin, Engineering Manager for Ford Racing. "We've taken the standard Ford Puma 1.7, put it through a rigorous body-building and fitness regime and arrived at the muscular version presented at Geneva."

The main features of the Ford Puma ST160 Concept are:

- 160PS, 1.7 litre Zetec SE engine

- Limited slip differential

- Uprated driveshafts

- Tuned suspension with revised springs and dampers

- Uprated brakes

- 17 x 7.5 inch alloy wheels and 215/40/17 tyres

- Extended front and rear wheel arches

- Revised front valance and grille with splitter and modified rear apron

- Sparco Sports seats with Alcantara front/rear trim

- Aluminium pedal pads

Starting with the free revving 125PS, 1.7 litre Zetec SE engine, Ford development engineers have employed proven tuning practices to raise the power output to a healthy 160PS. While the block and head remain unchanged, new camshafts, a reworked inlet manifold and a tuned exhaust system with a revised catalyst are included. The tuning modifications improve breathing and allow a higher rev capability while retaining engine tractability and all-important torque.

"A power output of 160PS in a vehicle weighing approximately 1040kg is a great recipe for really exciting performance," said Dunabin, "Ford Puma ST160 has a power-to weight ratio of almost 155PS per tonne - way beyond that of most sports coupes of comparable size.

Helping to feed the power from the engine to the front wheels is a standard Ford Puma 1.7 gearbox with a non-standard viscous coupled limited-slip differential and uprated, longer driveshafts to facilitate a wider track. The final link is the 17 x 7.5 inch Speedline, multi-spoke alloy wheel and Michelin SXGT 215/40/17 ultra low profile tyre combination.

Ford Puma's strong reputation as a driver's car is enhanced with a series of matched chassis and suspension changes that ensure Ford Puma ST160 Concept remains true to the original concept of a well-balanced, light and precise handling coupe. Both the front and rear track are wider; the front increased by 35mm each side and the rear by 50mm per corner. Uprated dampers and springs are substituted and the braking package utilises larger front discs with Alcon 4-pot calipers and rear discs.

To accommodate the revised wheel and tyre package, a functional styling package is inspired by the Ford Puma motorsport programme. The big offset shoulders over the wheels give a 'pumped up' appearance and take the vehicle from 1674mm to a new width of 1770mm. By comparison, the full rally version of Ford Puma is 1805mm wide.

Standard power assisted steering ensure that manoeuvring Ford Puma ST160 Concept, particularly at low speed, is light and easy.

Bolt-on aluminium front wings sculptured around the wider wheels replace the originals, while the rears are manufactured in steel and blend over to provide additional wheel clearance. New front and rear bumper designs are carried through with a revised front grille and lower panel equipped with cooling vents for the brakes. A carbon-fibre 'look' air splitter completes the ground-hugging stance of the Ford Puma ST160 Concept.

The Ford Puma interior is comprehensively equipped, and enhanced in Ford Puma ST160 Concept with the addition of Sparco sports front seats trimmed to match the rears in a distinctive blue Alcantara fabric. Door panel inserts and the steering wheel rim feature the same tactile blue cloth. The pedals feature simple aluminium pedal covers to replicate the racing look, and the dashboard instrumentation features revised black backgrounds with white numerals all swept by white pointers.

Ford Puma ST160 Concept is displayed at Geneva as a fully-functional concept vehicle and could become a limited production reality in a relatively short space of time.

"The Ford Puma ST160 Concept has the potential to become an an exciting niche product which further demonstrates the innovation and tremendous flexibility we have built into the basic platform Ford Puma shares with Ford Fiesta and Ford Ka," explained Will Boddie, Vice President of Ford's Small and Medium Vehicle Centre. "It reflects our philosophy of developing a series of vehicles, each with distinct personalities from the same platform to address the needs and wants of a wide range of customer groups."

FORD PUMA ST160 CONCEPT UNIQUE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SOURCE: Ford