Compromise Nothing with Ford Escape Hybrid

NEW YORK, April 16, 2003—In a small, rugged sport utility vehicle, you want responsive ride and handling, passenger comfort and safety, maximum cargo capacity, and outstanding fuel economy. And if you could get reduced emissions at the same time, wouldn&t that be okay, too?

Ford Motor Company&s new Escape Hybrid, debuted today at the New York International Auto Show, is the industry&s first true 'no compromise' SUV and offers enhanced fuel efficiency without sacrificing driving performance or style.

Combining a 2.3-liter four-cylinder internal combustion engine with a 65-kilowatt electric motor and a 28-kilowatt generator, the Escape Hybrid allows 'full' hybrid functionality and demonstrates advanced energy efficiency. A regenerative braking system recovers energy typically lost through braking friction and stores it for use during acceleration. The relatively small engine, which automatically stops while idling and restarts as necessary, is coupled with an electric assist system to provide acceleration performance comparable to the hybrid&s 201-horsepower, V-6 engine counterpart. Finally, its 300-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery is large enough to power the SUV completely independent of the gasoline engine—as much as 40 percent of the time.

Unlike other battery-electric vehicles, the Escape Hybrid&s battery charges while braking and cruising, so there&s no need to plug in your SUV at night. And with 35 to 40 miles per gallon in the city, your fuel stops will be few and far between, leaving more time for the fun stuff, such as off-roading.

In accordance with California SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) and PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) standards, the new Escape Hybrid produces 97 percent fewer hydrocarbon emissions than permitted by the national Tier 1 standard. It also produces virtually zero evaporative emissions and achieves nearly a 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions in the city driving cycle.

This new Escape Hybrid, slated for low-volume fleet production at the end of this year and retail production in the second half of 2004, is enjoying the spotlight in New York as a tangible example of Ford Motor Company's philosophy: 'great products, stronger business, and better world.'

'The Escape Hybrid is just one way we're delivering on our 'better world' promise, and that's just the beginning.'

Steve Lyons—Ford Division President

The company also revealed today its second hybrid vehicle, the upcoming Ford Futura midsize sedan, underscoring its commitment to environmental responsibility and the importance of hybrid technology.

In New York, the Ice Blue Escape Hybrid show vehicle sports 18-inch, 8-spoke alloy wheels. A new front fascia exhibits an integrated stylized skid plate and circular fog lamps, quad headlamps, and a silver honeycomb grille insert to match the silver lower body cladding.

Inside, the hybrid is trimmed in light ivory leather with leather-and-sisal woven inserts in the seats and door panels. Similarly accented consoles and gauges keep you informed of the hybrid battery's operating state. For example, the tachometer indicates electric-only mode when the engine is temporarily switched off. A single liquid crystal display in the center console serves as a real-time 'power path' visual indication of when the battery is charging, when the vehicle is recovering energy during braking, or if the electric drive is providing additional power.

With room for five, the Escape Hybrid retains the cargo capacity and off-road capability of Ford's traditional and best-selling Escape. Additionally, the hybrid model is offered in front- and four-wheel drive configurations.

by Ford Media