Ford is set to unveil a concept version of its new Kuga mid-sized crossover at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, which will be powered by the Blue Oval’s latest petrol-electric hybrid technology. The new hybrid drivetrain will eventually flow on to production versions, making it the first hybrid car that Ford will be offering in Europe.

The new Kuga will be manufactured on Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany and is scheduled to go on sale by the spring of 2008, reports Automotive News. Ford has successfully sold the Hybrid Escape SUV in the US since 2004, but this may soon be joined by the Kuga Stateside if CEO Alan Mulally and product development boss Derrick Kuzak have their way.

The Kuga is being developed on Ford’s C-platform architecture, which also spawns cars like the C-Max and award winning S-Max MPV. Styling will be influenced by the iosis_X concept that was displayed in Paris last year and will showcase Ford’s latest take on its ‘Kinetic Design’ theme.