New Ford ZC Escape SUV Revealed (AU)

Press Release

Sleeker exterior

The new Escape features a completely reworked front end that is sleeker and more stylish, while retaining traditional tough-looking SUV cues.

Escape boasts a restyled hood with new feature lines that blend into a bright three-bar grille with a larger Ford badge and new four-chamber chrome-ringed headlamps with jewel-like details.

Changes at the rear include new combination lamps with a honeycomb-style lens cover and LED brake lights. There is also a bright garnish on the liftgate that retains flip-up glass for easy access to the cargo area, while a new rear bumper houses reversing lamps.

Three new wheel designs complete the exterior look, with a new seven spoke 16-inch alloy design for the XLT Sport V6, a new six spoke 16-inch alloy wheel for the XLT 2.3L and Limited V6 and a new 16-inch steel wheel for the XLS 2.3L.

Ford Asia Pacific and Africa Chief Designer Paul Gibson explained the styling makeover retained Escape’s low-slung stance that was central to its sleek looks, while providing easy ingress and egress.

Stylish interior

"Interior changes are even bolder, giving the vehicle a more integrated and up-market appearance while making driving easier.

"The automatic transmission gear lever has been relocated on the cabin floor, replacing the previous column shifter. The more conventional placement provides customers with greater convenience, better ergonomics and a more modern feel.

"Another important change for customers is the relocation of the handbrake lever to a higher, more natural position," said Gibson.

The centre console has been redesigned to make it more functional while new-look instruments, door trims and seat fabrics complete the look.

Passenger comfort and convenience have also been improved with climate controlled air-conditioning (standard on both XLTs and Limited), illuminated vanity mirrors for driver and front passenger, and more contemporary switches and controls.

Escape customers will also enjoy a much quieter interior with improved insulation to reduce engine, wind and road noise. The changes include new dash insulators, body damping sheets and seals.

As a result of all the changes, the cabin is significantly quieter – approximately 3 to 4 decibels at highway speeds.

Safety and security

Improved stopping power has been achieved on the new Escape by adopting four-wheel disc brakes, replacing the previous model’s front disc/rear drum set-up.

Front brake rotor size increases from 278mm to 303, while the new rear disc brakes have 302mm rotors.

Escape V6 models also benefit from Emergency Brake Assist, previously only offered with the 2.3-litre engine, which provides optimum stopping power in an emergency.

Already high levels of safety equipment have been enhanced with the addition of a lap/sash seatbelt and headrest for the centre-rear passenger seat for Australia.

For the security of owners, an engine immobilizer system based on the ignition key, which contains an electronically encrypted transponder, is now standard equipment. Without the proper key, the vehicle cannot be started.

"The small SUV segment is one of the most fiercely contested in the Australian new car market.

"With a combination of a fresh new look inside and out, upgraded safety features and new levels of refinement, the new Escape has all the attributes necessary to be a vital part of a winning Ford line-up,� Mr Gorman said.

What’s New

Exterior

Three-bar front grille
Prominent Ford oval badge
'Smoked' look housing with four-chamber, chrome-ringed lamps
Revised skid plate on V6 front bumper
Bright front edge garnish and new feature lines on hood
Recessed circular front fog lamps (XLT 2.3L, XLT Sport V6 and Limited)
New rear bumper incorporating reversing lamps and skid plate
New rear combination lamps with honeycomb lens cover and LED brake lights
New liftgate with bright garnish
New door mirrors with LED turn signals (Limited only)
Clear turn signal lamps
Three new wheel designs
Chrome insert on exterior door handles
New exterior colours

Interior

Automatic transmission lever relocated to central position
Handbrake lever repositioned for improved ergonomics
Floor-mounted centre console
New materials and colours
Soft-feel armrest, larger door bin, courtesy lamp, chrome speaker ring,
New look two-tone instrument panel with revised instrument cluster
New audio control switches
Climate control air-conditioning (XLT 2.3L, XLT Sport V6 and Limited)
Illuminated vanity mirrors
Reclining rear-seat with folding centre armrest
Three-point seatbelt and headrest in rear centre seat

Powertrains

2.3-litre four-cylinder engine
Variable valve timing
Close-coupling catalyst to meet Euro III emission requirements
Electronic throttle
New alternator (more efficient, quieter)

3.0-litre V6 engine
New lock-up torque converter
Revised transmission with altered shift points
Die-cast aluminum head cover (previously plastic)
One-piece radiator fan (instead of two pieces)
Relocated water pump (from intake to exhaust)

Safety
Front disc brakes – 303mm rotors (previously 15-inch, 278mm rotors)
Rear disc brakes – 302mm rotors (previously drums)
Emergency Brake Assist for V6 models