Both Toyota and Honda have garnered strong support from the green minded, a group that is growing larger and larger with each passing year. Toyota has just introduced an all-new Prius, larger than the previous model while providing improved performance and better fuel economy, at 3.9 L/100 km (60 mpg) in the city. While this figure is much more impressive than the Escape Hybrid's 5.8 L/100 km (40 mpg) city fuel consumption rating, Ford's is a dramatic improvement over the current 2.0-L 4-cylinder gasoline powered Escape, delivering 10.3 L/100 km (22.8 mpg) in the city, while offering V6-like performance.
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| The Escape Hybrid's 5.8 L/100 km (40 mpg) city fuel consumption rating is a dramatic improvement over the current 2.0-L 4-cylinder gasoline powered Escape, delivering 10.3 L/100 km (22.8 mpg) in the city. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
Also an important note, Toyota won't be sitting idly by watching Ford steal its SUV customers. The Japanese automaker has a Lexus RX Hybrid planned for next year, based on the popular RX 330, with a less expensive Highlander based hybrid to follow. What's more, now that Toyota is producing its hybrid on regular production lines, it has promised to deliver its advanced hybrid powertrain to the majority of its production cars.
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| Ford plans to adapt the the Escape Hybrid's engine system to other models, with plans afoot to sell a hybrid version of its upcoming Futura sedan. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
The Escape Hybrid, that uses an electric motor and battery system to boost the power of its naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine, will be built in Claycomo, Missouri on the same assembly line as its gasoline powered namesake.
Ford's hybrid system, according to Phil Martens, Ford's Group VP of Product Creation, stated that the automaker needed to develop a proprietary hybrid system as it needed the expertise garnered to create even more advanced powertrains in the future, such as economically viable hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles.
Like Toyota, Ford plans to adapt its hybrid system to other models. Plans are afoot to sell a hybrid version of its upcoming Futura sedan, but Martens did not mention what alternative hybrid models the blue oval brand might offer.
General Motors and Chrysler are both planning to sell hybrid pickups next year, while Nissan has adopted Toyota's system for a new hybrid Altima.