Ford Puma I (Coupe) gallery (1997–2002)
The original Ford Puma was a acclaimed front-wheel-drive compact sports coupe based on the Fiesta.
Produced from 1997 to 2002 at Ford's Cologne plant, the original Puma was a compact coupe developed from the Fiesta Mk4 architecture. Renowned for its telepathic steering response and agile chassis tuning, its styling showcased New Edge design cues with cat-like headlamps. The cabin featured supportive sports seats and a solid aluminum gear knob.
Power came from high-revving Zetec-SE engines, topped by a 1.25-liter, 1.4-liter, and a bespoke 1.7-liter 125-hp unit with Nikasil cylinder plating co-developed with Yamaha. The ultra-rare Racing Puma (FRP) limited edition added wider steel wings, Sparco seats, and a tuned 155-hp engine. The lasting engineering impact of this generation remains a key benchmark in Ford's global model evolution history. Known for its dependable mechanical layout, the vehicle built a loyal customer base across diverse driving conditions. Offered with versatile feature packages, this iteration successfully balanced day-to-day usability with solid resale value.
