Ford Adds Flair with New Escape

[Fordman1]

Being released today at the LA Auto show.

Looks like a nice unit. I'll have mine as the European Kuga in diesel thanks

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...111119942/1186

[HULK EF]

a small frugal torquey diesel to take on the rise of the kia light suv and other brand Suv uprising would be nice.

[csv8]

Tezza's been playing around !!!!

[fou_bleu]

Now THAT will be my next car! Great job Ford, keep it up with the Lincoln version! ;)

[Road_Warrior]

And it's coming here...when??

[Luke Plaizier]

No HYBRID! WTF? That's a bit of a step backward. I thought the Escape Hybrid was successful, and that we'd be seeing it and the Fusion Hybrid rolled out across the globe, not shut down!

What the heck is the San Francisco taxi fleet going to be made up of now?


Lukeyson

[Rodge]

Nice looking vehicle, doesn't this look very, very similar to a Volvo XC60 ?

[Ben73]

Obama did/ does have a hybrid escape. So they must be good.

[mik]

it`s probably a great unit, but i`m crazy on the looks, then i bought an AU what do i know .

[fou_bleu]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

No HYBRID! WTF? That's a bit of a step backward. I thought the Escape Hybrid was successful, and that we'd be seeing it and the Fusion Hybrid rolled out across the globe, not shut down!

What the heck is the San Francisco taxi fleet going to be made up of now?

Lukeyson

Basically, the C-Max Plug-In Hybrid is replacing it in the U.S. (same car, just no AWD) and the Kuga (our Escape) was never going to get a hybrid version anyway with the as-efficient diesel models. Well, that's how I see it anyway...

[FPV8U]

With a 2.0L Ecoboost & Powershift Auto looks like a winner to me, expected period of time until these land in Aus?

Our current Escape V6 has been a very good experience, looking forward to some more shots of this.

[Wretched]

nice looking car.
i do wish the territory had looked like this, especially the interior.

[kocho]

Looks absolutely fantastic I reckon. Great job Ford.

[Bossxr8]

It should have been here yesterday to smack the RAV4, Forester and CRV in their ugly, bland faces.

This is one of the highest growing markets, small SUV, and Ford need a competitor ASAP.

[uranium_death]

Front looks good, the rest not my cup of tea...
But for Ford's sake, it's a good entry into the small SUV market. Looks like a fun, youthful vehicle, which Ford really needs...

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It should have been here yesterday to smack the RAV4, Forester and CRV in their ugly, bland faces.

This is one of the highest growing markets, small SUV, and Ford need a competitor ASAP.

Exactly, Ford have been dicking around far too long with umming and aahing about bringing this car here. Get the damn thing here already.

[phillyc]

Q1 2013 is the expected timeframe to lob.

IMO, Ford Aus should've imported the Kuga from 2008 when it was first produced. Yes, it was a smash hit seller and supply would be tough. But, gee, even 200-300 a month alongside Escape, would've established the name.

Back to the new model. Priced right, this has the potential to be a smash hit sales wise. You only need to look at VW Tiguan.

[JC]

Looks great. The missus is interested......

[mik]

Originally Posted by mik

it`s probably a great unit, but i`m crazy on the looks, then i bought an AU what do i know .

just read my post, should have read not crazy on the looks....meh dementia.

[NX74205]

I love it. It's looks absolutely superb, both inside and out.

I've often wondered why the Aussie Fords (Falcon/Territory) don't have the "Ford corporate" style interior a la Focus/Fiesta. New Ranger and new Escape interiors are absolutely superb, and looks much, much better than a Falcon/Territory interior.

[RHR]

Looks great

[BDA074]

Looks Great! The sooner it gets here the better...
See the link below for a Drive article on it as well. A bit more info on timing etc. Looks like 2013 unfortunately...
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...116-1niwm.html

[BFZ Wagon]

Is it my imagination? or does the back end of that look very similar to a Hyundai iX35?

Even if it does finally get here in 2013, I just hope Ford doesn't drop the ball again and release a petrol only version instead of offering both the petrol and diesel models, as I reckon the diesels would make up a lot of the sales.

It should do well in the smaller SUV end of the market, I'm guessing its competitors would be the likes of the iX35, Sportage, X-Trail, Dualis etc?

Will be interesting. Just hope it's not a case of too little too late for them.

[Brazen]

How cool is this?


http://www.caradvice.com.au/146499/h...cape/#comments

It’s not everyday a car maker asks motorists to put the boot into one of its vehicle – but that’s just what Ford expects from owners of its 2013 Escape compact SUV.

The 2013 Ford Escape revealed at this week’s 2011 Los Angeles motor show features a clever hands-free electronic tailgate that opens and closes simply by kicking a leg under the rear bumper.



Two sensors under the bumper trigger the automatic unlocking and opening process, with one activating the system when it detects your shin and the second recognising the kicking action.

The Escape’s key fob must also be detectable for the operation to work, such as being carried in a jacket or trouser pocket.

Ford says the hands-free system is a first for the compact SUV segment and will make life easier for motorists who have both hands full when approaching the Escape’s boot.

The system can’t be triggered accidentally, the company says.

“Animals running under the car, hitting bumps in the road or having leaves swirl below the vehicle on the road won’t trip the tailgate,” says Ford systems engineer Michael Becker. “We’ve designed the system so the liftgate opens when you want it to.”

The 2013 Ford Escape goes on sale in markets such as the US and Europe next year, but looks set to be delayed until early 2013 for Australia.

The vehicle will retain the Kuga name for Europe.

[mik]

very cool little feature.

[Mr Hardware]

oh wow that's cool. that sort of ergonomic stuff is excellent. I can't believe they still sell the essentially 10-year old escape new!

[Poetic Justice]

Is it going to remain the Escape name when it comes to Aus?

[PridenJoy]

I like that, cool looks and features..

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by mik

it`s probably a great unit, but i`m not crazy on the looks

+1, not a fan.

What happened to the corporate trapezoidal grill?

Not happy with Focus' design theme, nor this. The D-pillar ruins it the most.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by BFZ Wagon

Is it my imagination? or does the back end of that look very similar to a Hyundai iX35?

Even if it does finally get here in 2013, I just hope Ford doesn't drop the ball again and release a petrol only version instead of offering both the petrol and diesel models, as I reckon the diesels would make up a lot of the sales.

It should do well in the smaller SUV end of the market, I'm guessing its competitors would be the likes of the iX35, Sportage, X-Trail, Dualis etc?

Will be interesting. Just hope it's not a case of too little too late for them.

I would have to have a diesel option in Australia considering its so popular in SUV's. There will be a diesel version in Europe and it would more than likely be coming here. Previous Escape never had a diesel option anywhere.

Originally Posted by SCUD

Is it going to remain the Escape name when it comes to Aus?

Thats what Ford have said so far, it will be Escape in Australia/US and Kuga in Europe. But that could always change.