Hot hatches – sporty small cars with powerful engines – were once the preserve of “petrol head” car fans, but are fast becoming a mainstream choice for car-buyers who are a far cry from the stereotypical “boy racer”, Ford data shows.

The new Ford Kuga Vignale and Ford Edge Vignale are the first sport utility vehicles (SUVs) introduced as part of the Ford Vignale upscale product and ownership experience – and meet growing consumer demand for more luxurious models in the best-selling vehicle segment in Europe.

The Ford Mondeo Vignale and Ford S-MAX Vignale – the first two models offered in the upscale Ford Vignale range – deliver high quality craftsmanship, superior refinement, and exclusive specification.

Ford Vignale customers value experiences and consider time the ultimate luxury

The new Ford Kuga delivers an even more technologically advanced, refined and affordable sports utility vehicle (SUV), making driving simpler, safer and more enjoyable for growing numbers of SUV customers in Europe.

Sales of Ford performance cars and SUVs are at their highest levels ever in the first nine months of 2016.

Even for experienced drivers, torrential rain can quickly transform a comfortable journey into a stressful one, as the road ahead becomes more difficult to see. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent across Europe and Ford vehicles now offer Weather-Dependent Lighting technology that automatically improves visibility when the heavens open.

Sales of Ford vehicles in August reached their highest level since 2007 in its 20 traditional European markets with 74,800 vehicles sold, up 5,900 units from August 2015. Ford’s year-to-date sales in the same markets accounted for 898,000 vehicles, up 59,600 compared with the same period last year.

Ford Motor Company today sold its 1 millionth vehicle in Asia Pacific in 2016, reaching the milestone a month ahead of last year’s pace.

Ford and its joint ventures in China have set another record for company performance in August, as sales for the month totaled 96,450 vehicles, up 22 percent compared to August 2015.