If they can get the Kugga/ Escape with 2.0 Diesel and Petrol 1.5 Ecoboost, it will be really exciting.
Per the video the international Kugga has Start Stop Technology, which is equal to Suzuki's SHVS, so should benefit from lower Exise Duty. And the US version is sold with 1.5 Liter and 2.0 Liter Ecoboost Engines.
The Kuga if at all launched in India will have lots of omissions from what the US/Euro spec cars will have, and predominantly there will be just a diesel option a 2.0 150 HP 360 NM diesel with Manual 6 speed, and a 180 HP 2.0 TDCi with 400 NM and Powershift Wet clutch DCT, the petrol ecoboost is highly unlikely for India.
Start/Stop etc wont make it to Indian versions as the diesels dont have this feature, its only for ecoboosts
Since Ford has imported Kuga, I think they'll be displaying it at the Auto Expo and gauge the public response for it. I have seen it in US last year and it is very attractive car. It also has option of 5 & 7 seater, that will be advantage when it launches here. A very good & prospective car for Ford i would say.
Ford should aim it at 15-25 lakhs segment and position it between Ecosport & Endeavour.
The Kuga dosent offer 7 seats, its a 5 seater SUV based on Ford Global C platform that spawns Ford Focus,Ford C Max,Ford Kuga,, this platform dosent support 7 seat option.