First glimpse of new Ford Kuga

Ford has shown the first glimpse of the next-generation Ford Kuga, which will be seen in public for the first time in Geneva in March 2012.

The new model will be a 'global' rather than European product, and a version of it has been unveiled as the new Ford Escape at the Los Angeles Motor Show.

The car has cleaner exterior lines, and when it arrives in Europe is expected to be available with Ford's new Ecoboost turbo-charged petrol engines, carry-over diesel engines from the existing model, but with improved fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions thanks to better aerodynamics than the outgoing model.

It is also expected to be offered with a self-steering parking system, and a new array of safety features also available in the latest Ford Focus, such as a blindspot warning.

More specification details of the Kuga will be announced closer to its European debut.