THE new Ford Kuga will arrive in UK dealerships early next year and the first versions to go on sale will be special First Edition models bristling with high-tech premium features.

The Kuga First Editions are available in Titanium, ST-Line and ST-Line X trims, adding sporty interior and exterior design cues and sports suspension, with 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Buyers not interested in a car fitted with all the whistles and bells will have to wait a little longer for the entry-level Kuga Zetec, which is priced at £23,995 and comes with FordPass Connect embedded mode, wireless charging and advanced driver assistance and safety features as standard.

It will be available from next April, as will the flagship Kuga Vignale model which is priced from £31,945.

The Kuga Titanium First Edition, priced from £28,145, features a B&O premium audio system and driver's assistance pack as standard including front and rear-view cameras, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. Starting from £31,845, the ST-Line X First Edition includes a handsfree power tailgate, panoramic roof and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The First Edition models are available with all powertrains including the new 2.5-litre 225PS plug-in hybrid. The Titanium First Edition plug-in hybrid is available for £33,995 - the same price as with Ford's two-litre EcoBlue 190PS diesel engine.

The plug-in hybrid's powertrain utilises a 2.5-litre petrol engine and a 14.4kWH battery enabling it to deliver fuel economy of 201mpg and CO2 emissions of 26g/km. It can be driven for around 35 miles on electric power only.

Petrol and diesel versions of the new Kuga have just been given a five-star Euro NCAP crash protection rating with hybrid ratings to follow early next year.