Audi might have popularized the idea of rugged crossovers based on its core models with the Allroad series, but it looks like the continuous growing demand for the SUV segment has other car manufacturers thinking of similar offerings.
’s chief operating officer, Barb Samardzich, believes this is a good idea, as he recently stated to AutoNews:
“We see a big growth area in vehicles that are a bit rugged. They are not SUVs but they still have a more active look to them. Put some black cladding in the right places, a roof-rack and you could get it looking a lot more active,” she said, giving the Fiesta as an example.
Well, it sounds like a plan and judging by Samardzich’s words this “solution” can be implemented on almost any Ford model, as the Big Blue Oval has plans to launch five new vehicles in Europe in the following years that will compete in the SUV/crossover segment – two of them being the Edge and the face-lifted Kuga.
So, which models will get the rugged treatment remains a wild guess, although Barb Samardzich wouldn’t comment whether or not the Mondeo is included in the five models.
Ford Focus X Road Pictured