Ford Escape

Car Auto Online | Ford Escape | Ford Escape is a compact SUV sold by the car manufacturer Ford Motor Company introduced in2000 as a2001 model year and priced below the Ford Explorer.Although technically it\\'s a crossover vehicle,it is marketed by Ford as part of its traditional SUV lineup(Escape,Explorer,Expedition)rather than its separate crossover lineup(Edge, Flex). Ford Escape was sold inEurope as the Ford Maverick.It was jointly developed with Mazda, in whichFord owned a controlling interest,and was released simultaneously with theMazda Tribute.In the United States, Ford\\'s Mercury division released a luxury version called theMariner starting with the2005 model year,but ended production inOctober 2010as Ford ended theMercury brand..A hybrid version of the Escape was released in2004,making it the 1st hybrid SUV.

Ford Escape is built on the Ford CD2platform,which is in turn based on theMazda GF platform,which was used by theMazda 626.However, onJune 23,2010,it was announced that Ford will end production on the 2nd generation Escape in2011 and move production to itsLouisville Assembly Plant inLouisville, Kentucky,where it is slated to be succeeded by an American version of its EuropeanCUV counterpart,the Ford Kuga.

Ford Escape 1st Generation

The 1st generation Ford Escape was released in North America for the2001 model year.It was slotted below the larger,truck-based Explorer in Ford\\'s lineup,but was larger than the small SUV offerings from Honda and Toyota.At the time,most sport utility vehicles used a truck basedBody-on-frame design.Solid rear axles were commonly used due to their ability to carry heavy loads at the expense of a comfortable ride and good handling.Ford realized that most initialSUV owners did not take their vehicles off road,and decided instead to use a carlike Monocoque design with a fully independent suspension and rack and pinion steering for Ford Escape. Though not meant for serious offroading,a full time all wheel drive system supplied byDana was optional which included a locking center differential activated by a switch on the dashboard.The all wheel drive system normally sends most of the power from the engine to the front wheels.If slipping is detected at the front,more power will be sent to the rear wheels in a fraction of a 2nd.The entire braking system was built by ContinentalTeves including theABS and various related suspension components.CKD production began in2002 at Ford LioHo Motor Co. inTaiwan for variousAsian markets.

Ford Escape 2nd generation

The 2nd generation Ford Escape debuted at the2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show.The NorthAmerican-market Escape and its Mazda Tribute / Mercury Mariner siblings were redesigned in order to stay competitive with other new compact SUVs,however most of the internals have been carried over for the2008 model year. Ford Escape still uses the CD2platform.Ford also included an electronic stability control system standard on the2008 Escape.

The updated Ford Escape received some styling cues from Ford Explorer, Ford Edge, and Ford Expedition.Changes include a new grille with larger headlamps in the front fascia,while the sides were revised with cleaner lines and rounder wheel arches.The interior is also completely redesigned,including the newest standard Ford family navigation system.

The2008 Ford Escape and its Mercury Mariner sibling were the 1st vehicles to feature Ford\\'s pull-drift steering compensation,an enhancement made possible by applying software control to the Electric Power Steering (EPS)system.

A new concept version for theAsian market,called the Ford Escape Adventure Concept,was revealed at the2007 Tokyo Motor Show.It features a revised front and rear fascia,incorporating Ford\\'s 3-bar grille styling theme and restyled LEDtail lamps.

Ford Escape 3rd Generation

The All New 2013 Ford Escape was revealed at the2011 LosAngeles Auto Show.It will share the same basic platform as the All-New 2012 Ford Focus.Most of its styling derives from the Ford Kuga,which is sold in Europe.2 EcoBoost inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engines will be offered.The basic unit will be the 2.0L unit,currently offered in the Ford Edge &Ford Explorer.The New Ford Escape is the 1st Ford vehicle to offer a new 1.6L unit,soon to be available in the Ford Focus ,Ford Fusion,and possibly the Ford Fiesta.In the process of revamping the Escape\\'s engine lineup,both the Hybrid model with its 2.5L Atkinson powertrain and the3.0L V6 engine will be dropped.Ford claims that the fuel economy of the new 1.6L Eco-Boost engine will match that of the current Ford Escape Hybrid,while the new2.0L engine produces more horsepower than the current V6unit.The same transmission choices,a 6-speed automatic,as well as a 6-Speed Manual,are expected to be offered.