Significant Upgrades on the Way
Ford will bring a considerably improved version of its Escape sport-cute to market early in 2004 as a 2005 model.
There'll be a new exterior style to make it more appealing to bystanders, and interior upgrades, a new four-cylinder engine, a new optional automatic transmission, a better four-wheel-drive system, and more safety features to make it better for the occupants.
With the exterior changes, says Steve Lyons, Ford Division president, the intent was to make Escape look even more aggressive. So it gets new headlamps, fog lamps, an egg-crate grille, new front and rear fascias, and new 15-inch and 16-inch aluminum wheels.
Also, the lower bumpers at both ends have stylized ribs, and you can paint the whole thing in four extra colors, including Sonic Blue, Norsea Blue, Silver Metallic and Titanium Green.
The Duratec 23 four-cylinder is the largest of Ford's new global four-cylinder engine family and it's now the base engine in Escape. The 2.3-litre inline-four produces 153 hp and 152 lb.-ft. of torque, an increase of 26 hp and more than 15 lb.-ft. of torque compared with the 2004 model's 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Furthermore, says Lyons, the new engine produces its torque on a broader, flatter curve than the current powerplant, for better mid-range throttle response, and for the first time the four-cylinder engine will be available with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Ford will bring a considerably improved version of its Escape sport-cute to market early in 2004 as a 2005 model.
There'll be a new exterior style to make it more appealing to bystanders, and interior upgrades, a new four-cylinder engine, a new optional automatic transmission, a better four-wheel-drive system, and more safety features to make it better for the occupants.
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| The 2005 Ford Escape will be considerably improved and updated, with a more aggessive look compared to the 2004 model shown here. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
Also, the lower bumpers at both ends have stylized ribs, and you can paint the whole thing in four extra colors, including Sonic Blue, Norsea Blue, Silver Metallic and Titanium Green.
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| The 2005 Escape gets new headlamps, fog lamps, an egg-crate grille, new front and rear fascias, and new 15-inch and 16-inch aluminum wheels. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
Furthermore, says Lyons, the new engine produces its torque on a broader, flatter curve than the current powerplant, for better mid-range throttle response, and for the first time the four-cylinder engine will be available with a four-speed automatic transmission.