Press Release
Ford Australia today pulled back the covers on the new ZC Escape SUV, boasting fresh exterior styling, a more luxurious and convenient interior package and upgraded powertrains for improved driving quality.
"The Ford Escape has been well recognised as a great vehicle. The new look and features will ensure it broadens its appeal across a much wider audience," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman.
"The new Escape exterior has been dramatically refined, giving the vehicle a very stylish urban SUV look.
"It has a distinctive Ford DNA, and now more closely resembles its best selling bigger brother, the multi-award winning Ford Territory.
"Inside, the new look Escape has a stylish new interior that provides a fantastic environment when either navigating city traffic, or exploring off the beaten track.
"More than ever, the four-door Escape meets the demands of active lifestyles with its strong monocoque construction, powerful engines, clever on-demand 4WD system, refined car-like handling and spacious interior making it easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and ideal for exploring places inaccessible to many vehicles," Mr Gorman said.
Mr Gorman announced a revised line-up for the ZC Escape, with the XLS V6 and XLT V6 replaced by a new XLT Sport V6.
"The new line-up will consist of the Escape XLS 2.3L, Escape XLT 2.3L, Escape XLT Sport V6 and the range topping Escape Limited V6."
Exterior and interior design of the updated Escape was managed from Australia; body, powertrain and chassis engineering work was carried out in Taiwan and Japan and extensive testing undertaken in Australia to ensure the vehicle meets the demands of local customers.
"The latest improvements clearly communicate Ford's SUV DNA by building on the Escape's appeal as a refined vehicle that is fun to drive while giving owners the added freedom and capability of being a genuine four-wheel drive vehicle," said Chief Engineer Dr Chi Li.
Dr Li described Escape as the ideal choice for people who enjoyed life and wanted the freedom to seek new experiences.
"The new Escape is a fun, refined and tough vehicle," he said. "It is designed for people with busy lives - people who work hard and, when they can seize the opportunity, enjoy their leisure time to its fullest.
"Improved engines and drivelines deliver stronger torque where it counts and enhance Escape's genuine off-road ability," Dr Li said.
Cleaner, more efficient powertrains
The two powertrains on offer in Escape have been re-engineered to provide an improved driving experience that makes better use of their strong torque characteristics.
The upgrades boost performance across a wide range of engine speeds while also reducing fuel consumption on the V6. Combined with advances in emission controls, both powertrains now comply with Euro III emissions regulations.
Escape offers the choice of two powerful engines - a 2.3-litre in-line four-cylinder or 3.0-litre V6 - both mated to four-speed automatic transmissions.
Dr Li said while maximum power and torque figures were virtually unchanged, both engines are now noticeably stronger and smoother at low and mid-range engine speeds.
"The improvements to the 2.3-litre engine have been largely achieved by the addition of variable valve timing while the 3.0-litre engine boasts a new lock-up torque converter and revised transmission with improved shift calibrations."
The four-cylinder engine's variable valve timing system advances or delays the closure of the intake valves for better performance across the rev range while improving fuel efficiency and meeting environmental goals.
At low and medium engine speeds, early closure of the valves ensures more complete combustion for better performance and lower emissions. At high engine speeds, the intake valves stay open longer for greater air induction and optimum performance.
"Drivers will notice better stability and less engine noise in all driving conditions, smoother shifting with reduced emissions at medium engine speeds and optimum output and fuel efficiency at higher speeds."
A more responsive electronic throttle replaces the mechanical system in the previous model.
Maximum power from the 2.3-litre, 16-valve engine is up slightly (1 kW) to 109 kW at 6000 rpm. Peak torque is 199 Nm (down 2 Nm), but reached 500 rpm sooner at 4000 rpm, to ensure the driver can more readily exploit the engine's performance.
"The V6 powertrain gains a new torque converter, revised four-speed automatic transmission and retuned engine calibrations so that all systems work more harmoniously together.
"Owners will appreciate a more enjoyable driving experience in the V6 Escape where the engine work has eliminated unnecessary hunting between gears and requires fewer trips to the fuel pump with a fuel-economy gain of 10 per cent."
Fuel economy figures on the V6 have improved from 12.2 litres/100 km to 10.9.
Dr Li explained the transmission mated to the V6 has been more closely tailored to the engine's torque characteristics.
"It now makes better use of the high amount of torque produced by the engine right across the usable rev range. This means owners will experience a much smoother drive, especially on hills, curves and during long-distance cruising. The entire powertrain works more efficiently, which also lowers fuel consumption considerably."
Escape's DOHC, 24-valve V6 continues to develop a maximum output of 152 kW at 6000 rpm and 276 Nm at 4750 rpm.
Changes under the hood include efforts to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), including an aluminum (instead of plastic) engine cover and a one-piece radiator fan.
