THE 2020 Ford Escape SUV will bring a fresh offering to Australian SUV buyers when it goes on sale later this year, with advanced technology, an all new platform and a FordPass Connect embedded modem across the range.
Joining the Puma in showrooms this year, the sleek and spacious Escape will include the premium ‘Escape Vignale’ variant, reflecting its high level of standard equipment and advanced features.
Built on the C2 platform, the new Ford Escape offers improved efficiency thanks to the use of advanced materials to make it significantly stronger, more rigid and electrification-ready. The last of these is handy for the arrival of the first plug-in hybrid Escape.
it’s powered by a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle/electric engine. In the main though, all non-hybrid Escapes will be powered by a 183kW 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine offering 387Nm of torque, with an 8-speed auto transmission.
A mix of front wheel and all-wheel drive models will be available and paddle shifters are standard across the range. Combined fuel economy is 8.6-litres/100km for the FWD and AWD Escape variants powered by the EcoBoost.
The Escape ST-Line PHEV combines the four cylinder petrol engine, electric motor and generator, and 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 167kW. With a combined fuel economy figure of just 1.5-litres/100km, and a fully electric range of 50km.
The Ford Escape PHEV’s battery can be recharged using an integrated charging port and is automatically replenished on the move using regenerative charging technology that captures kinetic energy normally lost during braking.
Drivers can choose when and how to deploy battery power using EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge modes. When the battery reaches its lowest state of charge, the system automatically reverts to EV Auto mode.
The 2020 Ford Escape line-up will comprise three variants plus several power train options, including Escape, Escape ST-Line and Escape ST-Line PHEV and the Escape Vignale, which crowns the line-up with high equipment levels and unique style.
The popular SUV offers a comprehensive standard equipment list such as the driver assist technology suite across all variants that includes, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and evasive steering assist.
Also included is forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, traffic sign recognition, blind spot detection, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
You also get push-button start, wireless phone charging, DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Voice command SatNav with accent recognition and traffic management can all be accessed from the 8.0-inch full-colour touchscreen.
The Ford SYNC 3 infotainment system also provides support for apps including WAZE and Spotify. The large display screen also doubles as a full-colour reversing camera, with both front and rear parking sensors standardised across the 2020 Escape range.
The 2020 Ford Escape range will arrive in Australian showrooms from Q3, 2020 and will be priced from $35,990 to $45,590 (excluding on-roads).
