Performance Review: Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo - [2020]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Puma Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2020. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular Ford Puma has a 1497cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 3 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St3's includes the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo

The Puma shares its Petrol St3 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo and the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Puma's Front Wheel Drive, SUV combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1358 kgs (2993 lbs) this makes the Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Puma shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1497cc 12V St3 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St3 throws out 236 lb-ft (319.9 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Puma you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Puma.

The Ford Puma has a Power to weight ratio of 145.0 bhp per ton and 173.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2020 Puma competing with the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (169.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Puma generating around 173.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1998 BMW 3 Series 330d Sports Saloon E46 (198.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport (198.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.9 secs, this made the Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo as fast as the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs) the or the 2011 Porsche Panamera 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (6.70 secs). This Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo is also faster than the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (6.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Puma and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31

When talking about the performance of the Ford Puma on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.28 secs @ 89.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31 (15.22 secs), the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (15.23 secs), and the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate (15.24 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2020 version of the Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 2020 Puma equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

2020 Puma Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison