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All-New Ford Escape: Smarter
Utility Vehicle Saves Customers Fuel, Money; New
Technologies to Make Owners' Lives Easier
• Ford's newest sport utility vehicle (SUV) arrives next
year, bringing clever technologies and features designed
to make life easier, and fuel economy projected to top
any vehicle of its kind on the market
• Versatile vehicle features new hands-free technology –
including liftgate with motion-sensing technology
similar to video games' and upgraded MyFord Touch®
system that makes connecting with digital devices on the
go even easier
• New Escape's projected fuel economy is up to 5 mpg
better than outgoing Escape; 1.6- and 2.0-liter
EcoBoost® engines save customers fuel and money
• Customers globally will start seeing this sleek small
SUV next year, too. Named the Ford Kuga in Europe and
China, this vehicle makes its international debut at the
Geneva Motor Show in March and will offer unique
powertrains and features for customers in those markets
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2011 – The Ford Escape, America's
best-selling SUV, will raise the bar even higher with
the debut of an all-new model that features 11 new
exclusive features and fuel economy projected to top any
vehicle of its kind on the market today.
"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 Kuzak, 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."
Sixty percent of Americans shopping for a vehicle next
year will look at either a midsize car or small SUV,
making Escape part of one of the most cross-shopped and
fastest-growing segments in the auto industry.
"Escape is America's best-selling utility vehicle, and
the Ford team has worked hard to make sure we deliver
even more of what small SUV owners really want," Kuzak
said.
In addition to more cargo volume behind the first and
second rows than today's vehicle, the new Escape
delivers:
• Eleven features no other small SUV offers
• Clever technologies that make Escape even more
versatile, including an available hands-free power
liftgate that allows quick and easy access to cargo with
the kick of a foot
• Projected best fuel economy of any compact SUV, up to
5 mpg better than previous Escape
• Driving dynamics that make the drive experience more
engaging on-road and a new Ford Intelligent 4WD System
that provides even better traction off-road
• Sleek new design, with better interior materials and
more finishing touches
Escape technology makes life better
An array of clever technologies adds to the new Escape's
versatility, helping make life easier for its owners.
Key features include:
• An available hands-free power liftgate brings new
technology to the SUV market and is enabled by motion
technology used in today's video game systems. A gentle
kicking motion under the center of the rear bumper
activates, unlocks and raises the liftgate when the
driver has the Escape key fob. This allows quick and
easy access to the cargo area without needing to set
down packages or dig out keys. The same process closes
the hatch
• SYNC® with MyFord Touch® offers multiple ways for
customers to manage and control information through
voice commands, menus accessed through controls on the
steering wheel, touch screens, buttons or knobs.
Upgraded system includes new look, making phone,
navigation, entertainment and climate controls even
easier to use
• Parallel parking the Escape is virtually stress-free
with active park assist. With the press of a button, the
system detects an available parallel parking space and
automatically steers the vehicle into the space. Drivers
control only the gas and brake pedals
• Maneuvering parking lots and traveling open roadways
becomes even safer and less stressful with Escape's
sensor-based BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with
cross-traffic alert. BLIS sounds an alert when a vehicle
is detected entering a blind spot. Cross-traffic alert
warns if traffic is detected approaching from the sides,
such as when Escape is leaving a parking space in
reverse
• The all-new Ford Escape is the first Ford SUV to
combine class-exclusive technology to automatically slow
the vehicle when it's cornering too fast (Curve Control)
or help accelerate through a turn (Torque Vectoring
Control); a new Intelligent 4WD System helps deliver
outstanding handling on pristine pavement and in adverse
conditions as well, along with excellent traction
off-road
Spirited performance with outstanding fuel
economy
Escape offers Ford's broadest nameplate range of
EcoBoost® engine choices yet. Strong fuel economy comes
from either the available 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) to deliver
even better miles per gallon and save customers money on
fuel.
In Escape, EcoBoost engines are mated to specially
calibrated, six-speed SelectShift Automatic™
transmissions, which are standard and allow drivers who
want more hands-on experiences to manually control gear
selection from a switch on the left-hand side of the
shifter.
The gearbox features a new torque converter for improved
driving feel, silky smooth shifts and even better fuel
economy. Engineers also installed revised gear ratios
for a balanced driving feel in all situations.
The standard engine in North America is an updated
2.5-liter, giving the new Escape a comprehensive lineup
of four-cylinder offerings. It also is matched to a
SelectShift Automatic six-speed.
Also aiding fuel economy is Escape's sleeker design. The
new model is nearly 10 percent more aerodynamic than the
outgoing model.
Plus, the new Escape's 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.
Versatility and capability come standard
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.
When properly equipped, the all-new Escape maintains a
trailer tow rating of 3,500 pounds.
Engaging driving performance through seamless
system
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.
New SUV goes global
Following its world debut in Los Angeles, this new
vehicle will head to Europe, where sales of compact
sport utilities have grown 200 percent since 2000. It
will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March for
European customers as the all-new version of the Ford
Kuga and will have unique powertrains and features.
Chinese customers also will see the all-new Kuga next
spring.
"This all-new Ford model opens a new chapter in the
world of SUVs," Kuzak said. "By being smarter, this
utility vehicle will give customers around the globe
find better, easier ways to connect with technology,
maximize fuel efficiency and find the versatility and
capability they need and want." |
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