Make / Model Search
Future models - Ford - EscapeFord lets loose new-gen Escape SUVEscape SUV to be first Ford Australia model to feature plug-in hybrid powertrain3 Apr 2019 By TUNG NGUYEN FORD Australia will finally enter the electric vehicle (EV) market with the new-generation Escape mid-size SUV that will arrive in local showrooms in 2020 topped by a plug-in hybrid variant.
Propulsion comes from a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor that combine to produce 165kW of power. Ford is yet to disclose a torque figure.
A 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery means the electrified Escape will deliver emissions-free driving range “in excess of 50 kilometres”, according to Ford.
Drivers will be also be able to choose how to use the Escape plug-in’s electric power through four selectable modes – EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge.
According to the European press release, the plug-in Escape (dubbed Kuga there), can be recharged in about four hours with a household 230-volt electrical supply.
Fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions are projected to be 1.2 litres per 100km and 29 grams per kilometre respectively.
For now, the plug-in hybrid is the only powertrain confirmed for Escape in Australia, but overseas markets will also have access to a 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel mild-hybrid powertrain that features a 48-volt battery and belt-driven starter/generator, returning an expected 5.0L/100km fuel consumption figure.
A full-hybrid version is also available internationally, powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor combo that is expected to sip just 5.6L/100km.
The remainder of the Escape range could be bulked out with a pair of 1.5-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder petrol engines, in 88kW or 110kW tunes, and two EcoBlue diesel motors, a 140kW 2.0 litre and 88kW 1.5 litre.
Electrified powertrains will be paired exclusively to an automatic transmission, while six-speed manual and eight-speed auto transmissions are available elsewhere.
Regardless of which engine mix arrives in local showrooms, the new-generation Escape now shares the Focus’s C2 platform, affording it 10 per cent more torsional stiffness and up to 90kg less weight.
Measuring 4613mm long, 1882mm wide and with a 2710mm wheelbase, the new-gen Escape is enlarged by 89mm, 44mm and 20mm respectively. However the mid-size SUV is also now 20mm lower at 1689mm.
Ford is promising “greater interior space and improved cargo are flexibility”, with extra shoulder-, hip- and headroom for occupants in both rows.
Although Ford Australia is still to lock in local speciation, overseas versions will be available with wireless smartphone charging, 8.0-inch Sync 3 infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, electric tailgate, and B&O sound system.
Safety equipment overseas extends to speed sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view monitor, lane-keep assist, pre-collision assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with idle-stop functionality, head-up display and automatic headlights.
Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Kay Hart said the local market’s appetite for high-riding wagons made the plug-in Escape a natural choice to bring to market.
“We’re proud to bring the first of our global electrified vehicles to Australian customers in the stylish and capable all-new Escape,” she said.
“Australians continue to embrace SUVs, which is why we are introducing our first plug-in hybrid powertrain with this vehicle.”
Last year Ford Australia sold 4764 Escape SUVs, a 4.5 per cent dip over 2017’s tally, after switching its mid-size crossover’s nomenclature from Kuga in 2016.
For the first quarter this year, sales of the Ford Escape have continued to dip, dropping 18.7 per cent year-on-year to 1123.  Read more14th of June 2018  Ford takes the ST-Line with EscapeEscape becomes the first Ford model to gain a sporty ST-Line in Australia28th of February 2017  Driven: Ford to double Escape marketing spendEscape to find fresh path where Kuga failed: Ford AustraliaAll future models Alfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chery Brabham Chrysler Chevrolet Cupra Citroen DS Dodge Fiat Ferrari Foton Ford Great Wall FPV Haval GWM Honda Holden Hummer HSV Infiniti Hyundai Jaguar Isuzu Kia Jeep Land Rover Lamborghini Lexus LDV Mahindra Lotus Mazda Maserati Mercedes-AMG McLaren MG Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Mini Opel Nissan Peugeot Pagani Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo VolkswagenEscape pricing
Motor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Click to shareFord modelsResearch Ford All future modelsAlfa RomeoAbarthAlpineAlpinaAudiAston MartinBMWBentleyCheryBrabhamChryslerChevroletCupraCitroenDSDodgeFiatFerrariFotonFordGreat WallFPVHavalGWMHondaHoldenHummerHSVInfinitiHyundaiJaguarIsuzuKiaJeepLand RoverLamborghiniLexusLDVMahindraLotusMazdaMaseratiMercedes-AMGMcLarenMGMercedes-BenzMitsubishiMiniOpelNissanPeugeotPaganiProtonPorscheRenaultRamRoverRolls-RoyceSkodaSaabSsangYongSmartSuzukiSubaruToyotaTeslaVolvoVolkswagenEscape pricing
Motor industry newsGoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Connect with us
Facebook Twitter Instagram