2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
For 2009, although virtually unchanged visually (the only distinguishing difference is a deeper chin spoiler) the new Hybrid Escapes see the 2.3L four cylinder engine upgraded to an Atkinson cycle 2.5L for a total of 177 net horsepower. The CVT gets a more aggressive software package and some improved tuning on the hardware side. Also new for '09 is the inclusion of Roll Stability Control and the fancy pants Limited trim.

Change for the Hybrid program for '09 focused on fixing the annoyances from the '08. The brake pedal feel was the biggest offender, it had been sort of a stepped feel, the first inch of travel was like a weak spring, second inch was like pushing through warm butter and the final was like real brakes, it was very disconcerting. Since the braking is done by wire, simulating the brake feel with a vacuum module was the solution and it is much, much improved. Braking feels direct and linear — just like real brakes!
The next little annoyance was the steering — with electric power steering, the on-center feel was about as natural and smooth as Bush delivering the Gettysburg Address. Tuning the amount of assist through software has greatly improved the feel of things.

And then there's the handing. Across the range a rear anti-roll bar has been added and across the range the ass end feels a lot more controllable, far more confident on high speed sweeping corners and through tight apexes alike. So how is the hybrid on the road? Sports car? Far from it, it still understeers like a pig, but that's the safety police for you. The engine note has moved one notch closer to throaty and the additional power is notable in a straight line. The hybrid system is FAR more willing to go into all-electric mode with the new tune, you find the engine shutting off all the time when lifting off the pedal. Engine on is barely even perceptible, like the best tuned automatic transmission in the world gently kicking down a gear.

Overall, the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid contains a lot of touchy-feely improvements. The advances come from driver feel more than anything else, as a result its all very subjective. Regardless, the simulated inputs make this feel just like a real car, and if you didn't have that little leafy badge on the side, you'd be hard pressed to guess it was a hybrid.

2009 Ford Escape V6 4x4
The '08 Ford Escape was a lesson in engineering timing. The 200bhp V6 was forced to live with an outdated and unloved four speed automatic which liked to hunt and peck at gears, making spirited driving mean-spirited. With the 2009 model, both engine and trans get makeovers. The massaged 3.0 liter and gets a whopping 40bhp boost up to 240, but it's also mated to the new 6F35 six speed automatic. That new six speed goes out of its way to make the engine seem like a superstar. Combined with the anti-roll bar in the back, the new Escape V6 is... dare I say it? Kinda fun to drive. With the added power and defeated traction control, you can actually get a little tail happy with this thing.

Combined with an improved and easier to use Sync system and the optional and subscription-based Sirius Travelink, the "do I have to drive it?" idea actually starts to shift to "this isn't half bad". You won't find anyone spouting off about quarter mile times or comparing the styling against anything from Italy, but Ford seems to be making progress on its mini-UV's. It says something to note that we wouldn't be averse to actually spending a week with one. What kind of apostasy is this?

Thanks to this hoon son, who put the Escape in a ditch on the way to "get ice cream," cabinet ministers will have to buy their own vehicles, but still be allowed to claim mileage when using the vehicle for government purposes only. Take that, Canada! Now if only we can get Rep. Slaughter to give back her Lucerne. (h/t Acidic)[CBC]

FORD delivers BETTER FUEL ECONOMY, more power

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 22, 2008 - Today at the Washington Auto Show and Automotive News World Congress in Detroit, Ford Motor Company announced its hot-selling compact SUVs, the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, will become more fuel efficient, more powerful and more connected for the 2009 model year.

Fuel-efficient new 2.5-liter Engine

The new 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner make strides in fuel economy and emissions with a new, 2.5-liter engine and a smooth new fuel-saving 6-speed automatic transmission.

Not only is the new powertrain expected to improve the Escape and Mariner's EPA estimated fuel economy by 1 mile per gallon, it will also give the customer an 11 percent increase in horsepower to 170 horsepower.

The new 2.5-liter engine with intake variable cam timing (IVCT) boasts a 17-horsepower increase in output over the outgoing 2.3-liter engine.

Responsive with its peak 166 ft. lb. of torque, the engine also is refined, with dual-mode crankshaft damping, electronic throttle control and PowerPC engine electronic control.

The anticipated 1 mpg improvement in fuel economy will make Escape and Mariner more than competitive in the segment. With the improvements, Escape and Mariner also achieve ULEV II emissions certification.

The new engine also is the new basis for Ford's hybrid models, ushering in a host of improvements that will make the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid even more appealing. Adapted to the Atkinson cycle, the engine is the first for Ford to incorporate variable valve timing on a hybrid engine.

"More than ever, the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the ultimate vehicles for commuters in the daily battle with urban traffic congestion," said Cischke. "For every eight Escape and Mariner vehicles we sell, one of them is a hybrid, and the appeal is growing."

An optional, 230-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 engine - a 30-hp increase over last year - also is offered. It, too, will offer an estimated 1 mpg fuel economy improvement and better acceleration, thanks to the new 6-speed transmission and engine enhancements, including new pistons, cylinder heads and fuel injection system.

Spotlight on Fuel Efficiency, Even in the Performance Version

The new, more fuel-efficient automatic 6-speed transmission featured in the Escape and Mariner offers a significant improvement in powertrain smoothness and drivability, replacing the four-speed automatic previously offered.

Its flexibility allows Escape and Mariner to feature a longer final-drive ratio for optimal fuel economy, while its smooth-shifting quality provides an enhanced experience for the driver, especially in combination with the more powerful engines in the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner family.

Fuel savings also come from additional design and engineering features, including:

* Aerodynamic improvements, including a new front fascia chin spoiler and rear tire spoilers also play a role in the fuel economy story.
* A new 16-inch Michelin tire design offers improved rolling resistance that contributes to fuel efficiency, while also bringing improvements in quiet operation, steering and handling, and stopping distance.

All Escape and Mariner models now feature Easy Fuel™, a capless refueling system. This feature is not only a convenience for customers but also helps to prevent evaporative fuel emissions.

Escape and Mariner also incorporate new features to improve dynamic handling and ride characteristics, including a new 18.5 mm rear stabilizer bar and revised suspension tuning. Powertrain sound quality is enhanced by a new air induction system for V-6 engine models and a new exhaust system on all models.

Ford Hybrids: More Refinement, Safety and Performance

The new 2.5-liter engine also is the new foundation for the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid models. Adapted for hybrid use, the engine is Ford's first to use variable valve timing on an Atkinson cycle hybrid engine. Advancements in engine processor technology enable a nearly imperceptible transition from gas to electric mode.

A new brake system also provides a more seamless transition from regenerative braking to traditional braking. It incorporates a new pedal sensor that gives the driver better feedback and pedal feel similar to that of a traditional vacuum-assisted hydraulic system.

Also new this year is a new standard safety feature - AdvanceTrac® with RSC®. Already standard on gas-powered models, this patented Ford Motor Company stability control system includes roll stability control. Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the only small hybrids to offer such an advanced safety technology.

At the Washington Auto Show, Ford will display a Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) alongside the production Escape Hybrid. The plug-in research vehicle uses high voltage, lithium-ion batteries and can travel up to 30 miles on battery power alone before switching to full hybrid mode, delivering the equivalent of up to 120 miles per gallon for far fewer trips to the gas station.

Ford is collaborating with Southern California Edison in a unique partnership to advance the commercialization of PHEVs, demonstrating the potential for two industries to change the transportation and energy future.

This is part of Ford's sustainability strategy, which also includes a new engine technology called EcoBoost that will deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy and 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America starting within the next five years.

The EcoBoost family of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines features turbocharging and direct injection technology and will be used in a range of global vehicles - from small cars to large trucks. Compared with more expensive hybrids and diesel engines, EcoBoost builds upon today's affordable gasoline engine and improves it, providing more customers with a way to improve fuel economy and emissions without compromising driving performance.

More Technology, Connectivity

The popularity of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner reflects a trend of continuous improvement and product enhancement, including the most "connected" driving experience available today.

New optional equipment includes:

* SYNC, the award-winning Ford in-car connectivity system developed with Microsoft, will be offered in Escape and Mariner. New for the 2009 model-year, SYNC features "911 Assist" which will help drivers connect with emergency assistance in the event of air bag deployment. Also available for 2009, SYNC will offer Vehicle Health Reports, which are designed to keep owners up to speed with vehicle maintenance needs through the syncmyride.com web site.

* SIRIUS® Travel Link™ , which offers real-time traffic, weather, fuel price, sports schedules and movie information when combined with Ford's next-generation navigation system with voice recognition.

Growing Popularity

With the continuous improvements to the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, the vehicles are primed to build on their sales success in the 2007 calendar year, which included record hybrid volume. Highlights include:

* Ford Escape Hybrid recorded a 10.4 percent increase in sales versus 2006, with 21,386 units sold, while Mercury Mariner Hybrid sales were up 17 percent over 2006 to 3,722 units.

* Total Ford Escape sales were up 5.2 percent to 165,596. Mercury Mariner was up 2.6 percent to 34,844 units.

The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner are produced at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant, and the 2009 models will go on sale this summer.

Creative Challenge:
As I mentioned in my Shell-Ferrari review, every piece of advertising has some challenge before it — some job it has to do.

Generally speaking, advertising is intended to make people aware of a brand, product, product attribute/benefit, or special savings on said product; or to make people want the product and perhaps even BUY IT NOW! Whatever it is — it's something designed to move people forward on the awareness-desire-action continuum.

I guess in the case of this Ford spot, the challenge before the creative team was to make viewers aware that Ford has the most fuel efficient SUV on earth — a hybrid, even. That's a pretty big point of differentiation, right? Should be an easy assignment. Let's see how they did.

Concept:
After a few days of procrastination and reviewing all the supporting research they most likely received from the junior account executive assigned to this project, the creatives (generally a writer and an art director team) start bouncing ideas off of each other.

Among the concepts they storyboard and show to the client is one that they think will really pluck at the heartstrings of moms all over America..."I know, let's have this Winnie Cooper-esque girl have an awkward conversation with her dad which somehow incorporates the hybrid Ford product our agency has been retained to promote." It's their soft sell in the mix, and probably the only one that does not involve CGI and a bad jingle.

We are to believe the girl is embarrassed of her dad. Not because he appears to be a slightly overweight suburban dad with a receding hairline who probably has the Eagles Greatest Hits Vol. 2 in the CD player of his Escape, but because he drives a big gas-guzzlin' SUV.

And here, my friends, is the fatal flaw with this spot. You see, the average tween whose parents drive a shiny, new, made in 'murrica product that isn't a Pontiac Aztek are generally not embarrassed by the family car. Unless of course, they are the only kid on scholarship at an elite private school a la Will Smith's character in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air (I know...I'm really dating myself now). (I happen to resemble this comment...well, except for the scholarship part. -Ed.)

Execution:
Sometimes, even when the core concept is weak, a commercial can achieve goodness (but not greatness) through brilliant execution. An old art director partner and I used to call this dressing up of a marginal idea "fonts and mirrors".

However, the commercial is written and shot in a relatively straightforward style. No Wilco soundtrack, no fancy camerawork, no Wes Anderson auteurism. I think the makers were expecting us, the viewers, to find the conversation believable. Aw shucks, Dad's believable. But the agency's built the spot on a flawed premise — thus, it doesn't work for me.

Here's a snippet of dialog that rings particularly false: "People in that part of town are riding bikes...". What the heck is this supposed to mean? That riding a bike is proof of someone's ecological sensitivity? Or does this mean that all the cool kids in this town live near the movie theater? I'm confused.

And here's another problem with this spot, from a location scouting/set design POV. Look at the garage door, the age of the tree on the driver's side, and the pavers in the driveway. All scream upscale neighborhood. There's no way these folks roll in an entry level American SUV, much less a hybrid variant. In my neck of the woods, people with a house like that drive a Volvo XC90 and Audi S4 convertible. Or maybe even a Prius.

I have a final bone to pick with the execution of the commercial — if you're not a car nut like we are, would you be able to remember what vehicle is featured? And what kind of gas mileage it gets? I almost don't remember myself and I've watched it over a dozen times now. If the commercial can't achieve least these basic things, then how good a spot could it be? (Oh my goodness, I'm turning into Tanshanomi.)

Casting Judgement:
A flawed conceptual premise and "meh" execution are not the building blocks of great advertising. So it should come as no surprise that I didn't rate this spot well. The only thing more amazing than its inherent forgettableness is that someone at the agency (pretty sure it's longtime Ford shop J. Walter Thompson) AND the client approved it. Yikes.

On the "Hate/Not Terrible/Good/Shell-Ferrari" Scale: Hate

Previously:
Al Navarro Does Detroit: What Kind of Commercial Does Three-and-a-Half Enzos Buy You?

FORD EARNS "CLEAN VEHICLE AWARD" FROM INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY

ANAHEIM, Calif.., Dec. 4, 2007 - Today, for the second time, Ford Motor Company was awarded the "Clean Vehicle Award" from the International Energy Agency (IEA) Implementing Agreement on Hybrid & Electric Vehicles for the company's achievement in obtaining high energy efficiency and lower energy consumption in the transport sector. Ford accepted the award today at the 2007 Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS23) in Anaheim.

According to IEA, "Ford Motor Company played an important role as a clean vehicle innovator in the early 1990s. By developing and marketing the hybrid Escape, Ford has been a pioneer among U.S. manufacturers to introduce a sports utility vehicle to the marketplace, and this has rewarded the company with well-earned market success." [Source: Ford]

FORD DELIVERS FIRST ESCAPE PLUG-IN HYBRID TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON

* First Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) delivered to Southern California Edison as part of unique partnership to advance commercialization of PHEVs
* Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid with lithium-ion battery achieves up to 120 mpg
* Two industries connected through a common fuel, changing the transportation and energy future

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 3 - Ford Motor Company's first demonstration Escape Plug-In Hybrid is ready to roll on California roads. Ford today delivered the first of 20 research PHEVs to Southern California Edison to begin road testing as part of a unique partnership between the automaker and utility.

The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid, a research vehicle using high voltage, lithium-ion batteries, can deliver up to 120 miles per gallon which would mean far fewer trips to the gas station. The vehicle uses common household current (120 volts) for charging. Full charge of the battery takes six to eight hours. When driven for the first 30 miles following a full charge, the Ford Escape PHEV can achieve up to 120 mpg when driven on surface streets. The vehicle is not range limited by the amount of charge available in the high-voltage lithium-ion battery, because once the charge in the battery has been depleted, the vehicle continues to operate as a fuel efficient, standard Ford Escape Hybrid. The transition is automatic and unnoticeable to the driver.

The delivery comes just five months after Ford and Southern California Edison announced their collaboration to advance the commercialization of plug-ins by exploring the values of new technologies and new business models when the battery is connected to the home and, in time, the electrical grid.

"The electrification of vehicles has sparked significant interest in this country. The delivery of this Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid research vehicle today represents another step in our development and understanding of the technology and its place in the overall energy picture," said Sue Cischke, senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. "PHEVs are one element of our blueprint for sustainability that includes actions ranging from refinements in gasoline fueled engines and transmissions, to the development of hydrogen fuel cells."

"We are united in a common cause," said Lynda Ziegler, Southern California Edison's senior vice president, Customer Service. "We bring our expertise in energy production, delivery and management, and combine it with Ford's expertise in hybrid technology. Together, we are seeking solutions to address the needs of our shared customers and to ultimately help this nation achieve energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "This is not about simply connecting the car to the grid. It's about integrating vehicles and energy storage technologies into the energy system of the future".

The two companies are exploring new business models related to the electrification of vehicles that could help lower the cost of PHEVs to make them more affordable to consumers.

"Although the energy infrastructure is in place, significant challenges remain for widespread adoption of PHEVs," said Cischke. "Cost, durability and reliability issues all need to be addressed before these vehicles can make a significant impact on the global issues of climate change and energy security."

Ford and SCE will jointly conduct testing of the vehicles, some of which may be evaluated in typical customer settings to model overall home and grid values. The testing will provide valuable data related to the durability, reliability and safety of new battery technology. The cost of advanced lithium ion batteries means the technology is currently not economically feasible for widespread vehicle application. [Source: Ford]

We don't think there's any more we've got to say about this other than kudos to FoMoCo for learning how to have some fun with advertising in this new spot for the Ford Escape. They're asking you to "Escape Boredom" and get yourself a brand new re-styled Ford Escape. Because that, in and of itself, is a "Bold Move" for the Dearborn-based automaker. – Ray Wert

Related:
Are Bold Moves No Longer Happening Every Day At Ford ?; Kelly Clarkson's Bold Marketing Message For Ford; A Bold Move To Stop Making Bold Moves : Ford To Pinch-Hit With Pepsi Challenge Ads Later Today? [internal]

Yes, not as much Jill Wagner as we'd like, but hell, we'll take as much of her as FoMoCo will give us. In this episode of Blade commercialism from the not-Ford brand, our fair heroine is explaining how she can single-handedly re-badge a Ford product as a Mercury by placing the badge in the middle of thin air, and then watching as a Ford Escape Mercury Mariner is born. We kid FoMoCo, actually the ad's all about...well, hell, the press release is right after the jump. – Ray Wert

2008 MERCURY MARINER BUILDS ON MOMENTUM WITH NEW HIGH-TECH COMPUTER GENERATED ADS

* New 2008 Mercury Mariner, boasting a new design, lower suggested MSRP and greater fuel efficiency, aims to build upon one of the strongest vehicle conquest rates within Ford Motor Company.
* Cutting-edge 3D animation technology drives captivating new ads that showcase the 2008 Mercury Mariner's sophisticated design and styling.
* Hitting network airwaves now, the ads will appear in lifestyle media that tap into the Mariner customer's passions for cooking, health and fitness, and home design.

DEARBORN, Mich., March 26, 2007 - The 2008 Mercury Mariner - the nameplate that has helped put Mercury back on consumers' consideration list - is arriving in dealerships this month supported by an ad campaign designed to build on its momentum of attracting new, younger, and more diverse customers to the Mercury brand.

The ad campaign, created by Y&R Team Detroit, employs the latest 3D computer-generated animation technology to create visually captivating images of the 2008 Mercury Mariner that focus on the vehicle's design features and its available hybrid powertrain.

"We've put a lot of creative power behind these ads because we want to underscore the design sophistication of the 2008 Mercury Mariner," said Mike Richards, Lincoln Mercury General Marketing Manager. "The Mariner is a very important vehicle to our line-up as it has proven to be very effective in attracting new customers to the Mercury brand. The latest sales data shows more than a 48 percent conquest rate for the Mercury Mariner* and that it has been well-received among a diverse range of consumers."

Cutting-edge advertising opens new dimensions

More than 50 percent of Mercury Mariner customers are female, compared with 40 percent female customers for the overall Mercury brand.* In addition, the average Mercury Mariner customer is younger than the average Mercury customer: age 47 v. age 55.*

To appeal to these consumers, Mercury created an ad campaign that employs sophisticated photography techniques and draws the eye to the Mariner's contemporary design. The first TV spot for the 2008 Mercury Mariner, titled "Sound Waves," opens with Mercury spokesperson Jill Wagner posing the question, "What happens when an idea strikes just the right note?" Wagner taps the Mercury logo and sound waves reverberate and take shape in the form of the Mercury Mariner. The image then comes into focus to highlight the new design features of the vehicle, both inside and out.

The TV spots are produced by Tight Films and directed by The Brothers Strause, an award-winning team whose latest credits include VFX Supervision on the movies, "300," the "X-Men: The Last Stand," and the Academy-Award winning "Titanic." Hydraulx, a special effects company owned by The Brothers Strause, researched particle and fluid movement and created their own computer code to generate the sound wave effect in the first Mariner spot. Two additional TV spots, also directed by The Brothers Strause, are planned to begin airing in April. A similar creative approach will be carried through to the online ad campaign, which also is slated to begin in April.

The print campaign carries forward the emphasis on the vehicle's design and consists of several ads, including two that will be seen in May magazines on stands next month. The first, titled "One dynamic form," focuses on the design enhancements and patented improvements to the vehicle. The second, "Now, more stop means more go," highlights the regenerative braking function of the Mariner Hybrid's powertrain.

Connecting with consumers' passions

To reach the Mariner's target customers, Mercury will leverage their passion for cooking, home design and a healthy lifestyle, choosing to advertise the compact SUV on cable networks, such as HGTV, the Food Network, and DIY. Sponsorships will be tied to specific programs, such as "The Next Food Network Star" and "Basics-Urban Gardening," and will include online advertising, product integration and other marketing elements. Focus on these passion points carries over to other media as well, including print ads planned for Yoga Journal, Everyday with Rachel Ray and Outside, among others.

New 2008 Mercury Mariner Enhancements

The 2008 Mercury Mariner is completely redesigned inside and out and exemplifies the sophisticated and stylish design expected of a modern Mercury. In addition to fresh sheet metal and a new interior, Mariner is updated with a comprehensive standard safety package, a quieter ride and more refined driving dynamics. What has not changed is the overall package: Mariner retains the fuel-efficiency, maneuverability and the fun-to-drive nature that are core characteristics of the compact SUV package.

The 2008 Mariner enters the market at a time when customers are looking for smaller SUVs that still deliver on the attributes demanded of a traditional SUV, such as four-wheel drive, a commanding seating position, towing capability and good cargo capacity. The new Mariner continues to balance all these demands, wrapping it all in a sophisticated and stylish package that can be found only on a Mercury.

For more information about the 2008 Mercury Mariner, please go to www.media.ford.com or www.mercuryvehicles.com.

*According to J.D. Power Information Network.

About Mercury

Mercury is a brand of the Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., that manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and Mazda.. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

Springtime for Ethanol [NYT]

Related:
Austin Stays Golden, Drives From Ann Arbor to Colorado On E85; Sometimes A Guv's Gotta Do What A Guv's Gotta Do: Michigan Guv Granholm Creates Incentive Program For 1,000 BioFuel Pumps By 2008 [internal]

Ford's rejiggered the stylings of its smallest of SUVs, the Escape, giving it a cleaner look, a higher beltline, a new face, and seating surfaces made of 100-percent post-industrial materials — that's the bizness community's version of recycling. It also gets a range of interior tweaks from ice-blue dash lighting to more storage bins in weird places to a console that can fit a laptop computer. Ford says engineers have spent all manner of brain to reduce noise, vibration and harshness, which is an SUV's version of drunken rantings from a distant cousin at Thanksgiving. (Press release on the jump page.) It's debuting today at the LA Auto Show's press days, where Los Jalopniks will likely pass it by on the way to the Giugiaro Mustang, or the concession stand, depending. – Mike Spinelli

Press release:

THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE COMBINES A BOLD NEW LOOK WITH A SMOOTH, QUIET RIDE AND TOUGH SUV CAPABILITY

The Ford Escape, America's best-selling compact utility vehicle, has a completely new look inside and out for 2008. Escape now makes a powerful statement with a bolder, rugged exterior design that bears a stronger family resemblance to the Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition. The all-new interior resets the bar for small utility vehicles, with more upscale appointments, new innovative storage options, and improved comfort and quietness. In addition, chassis refinements deliver impressive fuel economy and agile driving dynamics that belie the Escape's rugged exterior.

"The 2008 Escape offers the capability and styling of a traditional SUV with the benefits of crossover construction - building on the successful formula that has made the Escape America's favorite small utility vehicle for six years," says Cisco Codina, group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "The new Escape offers a more refined ride, go-anywhere capability, impressive fuel economy, up to 3,500 pounds of towing, and a more comfortable interior that is quieter and more versatile."

The combination of traditional SUV capability and crossover construction made the original Escape an instant success. More than one million Escapes have been sold since its introduction as a 2001 model - more than any other small utility vehicle or crossover of any size. Six years later, Escape remains the sales leader of the small-utility segment, a remarkable feat considering the segment has almost doubled, from 800,000 sales in 2000 to a projected 1.5 million in 2006.

Bolder, Tougher Exterior Design

"The goal from the beginning was to make Escape look even stronger and tougher than the original," says Doyle Letson, chief designer for the 2008 Escape. "We raised the beltline to give the profile a strong, modern proportion of sheetmetal to glass. Then, we sculpted the surfaces for a more Ford Tough Truck appearance, that now matches Escape's capabilities."

The high beltline is further emphasized by the new blacked-out B-pillars, integrated running boards, available 17-inch wheels, and the deletion of the original Escape's molded-in color fascias and lower bodyside molding.

To integrate the higher beltline, the hood has also been raised and now features a unique "reverse crease" design that draws the eye to the detailed surface. The new front fascia has headlamps that sweep up toward the front corners of the vehicle to short side marker lamps. The new headlights bracket the dramatic new grille.

Refined and Recycled Interior

The 2008 Escape is believed to be the first U.S. automotive application of seating surfaces made from 100 percent post-industrial materials, supplied by InterfaceFABRIC, Inc. InterfaceFABRIC estimates that Ford's use of post-industrial materials, rather than virgin fibers, could conserve an estimated 600,000 gallons of water, an estimated 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, and the equivalent of more than 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

Escape also showcases Ford's first use of a "top of dash" display positioned at eye level on the dashboard, which shows ambient temperature, radio functions and climate-control readouts. This simple, efficient design puts much of the vehicle's information in one place at the top of the dashboard, making it easier to reference when driving.

Also improving ease-of-use is the clean, uncluttered center console. Rather than the traditional "brick" design for the radio and temperature controls, Escape features dials and buttons that "poke-through" the center console. The instrument panel houses audio and climate controls, a standard MP3/iPod audio jack, and controls for the available heated seats and in-dash navigation system.

Escape's interior also features the first use of Ford's new, signature Ice Blue interior lighting. The cool blue lighting replaces the traditional green on the instrument cluster, the center console, the redundant controls on the steering wheel, and the door lock and window switches. Ice Blue presents a cool, crisp, easy-on-the-eyes light for night driving and enhances the overall feel of the interior.

Escape's center console is large enough to hold a laptop computer, and there are three levels of storage space. In addition, the center console features two removable bins with innovative dovetail mounting points, which allows the bins to be hung from the front passenger side and rear of the console for additional storage.

Refined, Quiet Interior

Engineers made a host of changes to the 2008 Escape to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels inside the vehicle.

The 2008 Escape is one of the first Ford Motor Company vehicles to use speed-sensitive Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), a sophisticated system that helps correct for road irregularities and improves overall steering feel.

Conventional power steering systems use an engine-driven hydraulic gear, which saps power and efficiency from the engine. The 2008 Escape's new EPAS system uses an electric motor, rather than the engine's accessory drive. This new system helps improve fuel economy and eliminates the hydraulic noises typical of conventional hydraulic power-assisted steering systems.

In addition, new recessed channels in the vehicle's roof panel are designed to improve airflow over the top of the vehicle, while horizontal ribs in the roof also strengthen the body structure and help reduce boom noise in the cabin. A new acoustic laminate sandwiched between two glass panels in the windshield and an acoustic headliner also help decrease wind noise. New interior carpeting, which is up to 50 percent thicker, further improves the isolation from road and wind noise.

Compared with the previous model, the 2008 Escape is 12 percent quieter on the highway (30.8 sones to 27 sones at 80 mph in the wind tunnel) and 20 percent quieter in high velocity crosswinds.

Standard Safety Equipment and Fuel-efficient Powertrains

Under its skin, the 2008 Escape has one of the most advanced safety packages in the small SUV segment. Escape comes standard with Safety Canopy side air curtains, which provide head and neck protection for the first- and second-row passengers, as well as standard side-impact air bags that deploy out of the upper portion of the front seats to protect the upper and lower torso of the driver and passenger. In addition, I-4 and V-6 Escape models come standard with Ford's exclusive AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control).

The 2008 Escape's standard 2.3-liter, 16-valve Duratec 23 I-4 produces 153 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 152 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm, paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The available 3.0-liter, 24-valve V-6 Duratec 30 engine makes 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 193 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,850 rpm. With a four-speed automatic, the V-6 powered Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Ford Escape Hybrid continues to be a "full" hybrid. This means that, unlike other "mild" hybrid vehicles, Escape Hybrid can run on 100 percent electric power up to about 25 mph, maximizing in-city fuel economy.

At low speeds, power is delivered by a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor, producing 70 kw @ 5,000 rpm and 330V maximum voltage. When additional power is required, the Escape Hybrid's 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine seamlessly engages, contributing 133 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 124 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm. The net result is 155 horsepower with 0-60 times comparable to a 200 horsepower V-6 engine and a boost in city-driving fuel economy of nearly 75 percent. Escape Hybrids are equipped with a smooth-shifting, electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

For 2008, Escape Hybrid engineers made revisions to software in the control system to improve transparency, or the transition between gasoline and electric operation. The transition from all-electric to gasoline power to a combination of the two is now even more seamless and virtually imperceptible to the driver.

Related:
Hydrogen Whosits: Ford to Show Fuel-Cell Explorer in Los Angeles [internal]

All the talk about hybrid cars coming out on the losing end of a cost-benefit analysis may not be true exactly, says Edmunds. According to a study by the car-info maniacs, some hybrids cars will cover their price premium within a few years, considering the current level of gas pricing and tax credits from the Feds. While hybrids cost between $1,200 and $7,000 more than comparable gas-only models, Edmunds says, the most efficient gas-electrics will pay off within a reasonable time period. Two examples cited are the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape, which assuming 15,000 miles per year and an average fuel cost of $3 per gallon, would break even in three years. Less-efficient models like the Saturn Vue, Toyota Camry and Civic Hybrid would zero out the premium in six years. Of course, we'd love to see such data graphed against that of high-efficiency gas-powered models sans both premium and tax incentives. But we're silly like that.

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More on Hybrids [internal]

You've got to love Gizmodo. No, really, you do. Today, amidst their usual plethora of japanese gadgets and other techie goodness, is some news on the Ford Escape Hybrid. Ford threw a few Escapes into the New York and Los Angeles taxi fleets, and they not only survived, they saved $31 per 300-mile tank of gas. But the real question still remains — does it have a beaded seat cover?

Hybrid Vehicles Pass Muster in NY, LA [Gizmodo]

Related:
Overzealous Taxi Driver Reports Passenger for Clash, Zepplin [internal]

"due next spring, the new Escape may be marketed as an early 2008 model, along with a freshened version of its companion, the Mercury Mariner. Ford is upgrading the cabin with better-quality materials and more features."

Sneak Peek: 2008 Ford Escape [Detroit News]

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Spy Photos: 2008 Ford Escape [internal]

Ford extends 0% financing on hybrids to entire U.S. [AutoWeek]

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More incentives [internal]

The Car Connection procured shots of what looks to be the next Ford Escape (OK, so it says "Escape" right on it.) It'll replace the current CD2-platform model in the 2008 model year, following a shortened 2007-year production run. Most noticable is its brand new face and new, slab-sided comportment — as if it's spent formative years hanging out with its English cousins. Word is, the new Escape will see daylight at New York Auto Show in mid-April. We're not that optimistic.

Spy Shots: '07 Ford Escape [The Car Connection]

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Escape to Brazil: Next Ford Small SUV to Be Variant of EcoSport [internal]

Word today is Mazda is suspending production of its version of the Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner SUVs, the Tribute. According to reports the company opted out of producing the Trib (at Ford's Claycomo truck plant) during the relatively short production span of the 2007 model year — May through December — because a new Escape-Mariner for 2008 will hit the line next January. The decision coincides with an 11% drop in Tribute sales between 2004 and 2005, and a near 100% drop in anyone really giving a shit.

Mazda to Suspend Tribute SUV production [via MPH]

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Escape to Brazil: Next Ford Small SUV to Be Variant of EcoSport [internal]

That 40-year media juggernaut and lamenter of one's greenness, Kermit the Frog, will star in a new, 30-second TV spot for the Ford Escape Hybrid to run during the Super Bowl. More of a perceptional ad than a sales pitch — considering the hybrids are selling faster than Ford can build them — Ford hopes the spot will help paint its entire brand, non-hybrids included, as a choice for environmentally conscious buyers. Money appears not to be an issue in this regard, considering the ad will reportedly cost $2.5 million (including ad time). No word yet on a rumored ad for the Ford Expedition EL starring Miss Piggy, but sources say an obvious, cheap joke about it is already in the works.

Related:
Das Ist Kermit: BMW Taps Muppet for German 1-Series Ad [internal]

A report in The Car Connection indicates the next Ford small SUV could be a variant of the Brazilian EcoSport (pictured), a front/four-wheel-drive ute built on the Fiesta (Fusion in Brazil) platform. Ford is reportedly outsourcing engineering tasks on a new version to be built in Mexico for the US market, possibly as a replacement for the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute. By tapping its Brazilian division, Ford can save around one-third on engineers' salaries and close to 9/10s on the cost of swimsuits.

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Ford Reveals New Equator Concept [internal]

The Washington DC auto show hosted a coming-out party for Ford's two-in-one fuel-saving technology lab — the Ford Escape Hybrid E85 — a combination flexfuel and electric hybrid-drive SUV. The Escape in question produces 25% less C02 than the traditional, gas-fueled Escape Hybrid. Ford also plans to build 250,000 E85 vehicles in 2006, including the Ford F-150 and Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car in addition to 250,000 hybrid vehicles per year globally by decade's end.

Related:
Saab s BioPower Concept to Debut in Los Angeles [internal]