DEARBORN, Mich. — When it debuts in 2003, the Ford Escape HEV sport utility vehicle will feature a new PowerSmart transaxle system that will offer improved power, performance and fuel economy compared to hybrid electric vehicles currently on the road.
This is achieved through improved initial acceleration in electric launch — when the vehicle takes off using the electric motors and battery — and improved overall system efficiency during highway driving.
The system was developed by Ford and Aisin AW, based in Aichi, Japan.
"The Escape HEV addresses all of the customers' environmental concerns without asking them to give up anything such as performance, styling and utility," said Prabhakar Patil, chief engineer, Ford Escape HEV Program.
Escape HEV combines an electric motor and fuel-efficient, four-cylinder gasoline engine and is designed to be the most fuel-efficient sport utility on the planet.
With regenerative braking and nearly instantaneous start-stop capability, the Escape HEV will be especially fuel efficient in the city, delivering nearly 40 miles per gallon in urban driving. The hybrid electric Escape will be capable of being driven more than 500 miles on a single tank of gasoline. Yet the innovative hybrid powertrain will deliver acceleration performance similar to an Escape equipped with the 200 horsepower, V-6 gasoline engine.