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New Ford Escape arriving next year
Ford has announced it will have a new Escape in North American showrooms next year with 11 new features and improved fuel economy. Part of Ford's global initiative, the Escape will carry the name Ford Cayuga in Europe and China.
“We call our all-new Ford Escape the ‘Smarter Utility Vehicle’ because it offers the strengths that customers today really value – fuel economy, versatility and new technology that makes driving and living with the vehicle easier and more fun – all wrapped in a sleek, more modern design,” said Derrick Cossack, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Ford understands that more people every year are looking at vehicles like Escape, and we want to give them even more reasons to buy.”
Escape offers Ford’s broadest range of EcoBoost® engine choices being available in the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine or 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine, which makes its American debut in the new Escape. Both new engines combine EcoBoost’s core technologies of direct fuel injection and turbocharging and add twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). The standard engine in North America is an updated 2.5-liter which is also is matched to a SelectShift Automatic six-speed.
When properly equipped, the all-new Escape maintains a trailer tow rating of 3,500 pounds.
Using new advanced software and sensors, the new Intelligent 4WD System analyzes data from 25 external signals, including wheel speed, accelerator pedal position and steering wheel angle, assessing road conditions and driver input 20 times faster than the blink of an eye.
The system uses all the sensor inputs to turn the vehicle in the direction the driver wants it to go. Intelligent 4WD builds on the pre-emptive actions by adding and subtracting torque as needed through an electromagnetic clutch.
Escape’s new sleeker body is set off by the active grille shutter system, which is on all models with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, reduces wind resistance. Grille slats stay open when extra engine cooling air is required, such as low-speed stop-and-go driving. When cruising on the highway at steady speeds, the grille slats automatically close to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
Stowing and towing are even easier in the new five-passenger Escape, thanks to a low liftover height of 27 inches, more innovations and cargo volume that surpasses the outgoing Escape with 68.1 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 34.3 cubic feet behind the second row.
The new Escape’s rear seats have been designed to fold flat easily. With the touch of a button, the head restraint folds down and with the lift of a handle on the seat, the seatback folds and dives as the seat folds flat and clicks into position.
Escape also features an available two-position load floor, which can be configured to allow the customer to choose among maximum luggage volume or flat load floor.
Escape’s seats lose weight while adding customer convenience. The seat structure has shed nearly 3 pounds while the seats themselves have added more functionality – two-way power recline and two-way power lumbar support. These are in addition to the familiar six-way adjustability. A sport seat, with higher bolsters and a distinct sew style, also is available.
The front head restraint offers four-way adjustability for the first time. Both the head restraints and rear seats have been upgraded to allow for easier folding and are made from soy-based foam.
Other interior highlights include a soft-touch instrument panel, wrapped, padded and stitched door armrests, deep padding on console armrests, elimination of exposed fasteners in glove box and sun visor pivots and available leather-trimmed sport seats with piping on bolster area and contrast stitching
The new Escape also features an enhanced Personal Safety System™ with new safety belt technologies and seven airbags. The Personal Safety System is a network of components that work together to tailor the activation of the front airbags during frontal collisions. The restraint control module (RCM) translates information collected by the front crash sensors, front outboard safety belt buckle switch, driver-seat track position and passenger-seat weight sensor and judges how fast the vehicle is decelerating, and if the driver and/or passenger are buckled.
There was no word from ford on availability or pricing.
11/16/11
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