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Ford Escape to Have Clean, Efficient Hybrid-Electric Powertrain in 2003

7 April 2000

Ford Escape to Have Clean, Efficient Hybrid-Electric Powertrain in 2003

    *  Escape hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) under development for 2003 debut
    *  Fuel-efficient and powerful powertrain: projected to achieve about 40
       miles per gallon even in stop-and-go urban driving yet will deliver
       acceleration comparable to the V-6 Escape
    *  Extremely clean operating: will achieve California SULEV emissions
       rating; Stage IV in Europe


    DEARBORN, Mich., April 7 A hybrid-electric powered Ford
Escape is being designed to be the cleanest, most fuel-efficient sport utility
on the planet when it debuts in 2003.  Ford is the first automaker to announce
production plans for a hybrid-electric powered sport utility vehicle.
    The Ford Escape HEV will feature an electric drivetrain to augment its
fuel-efficient four-cylinder gasoline engine.  With regenerative braking and
nearly instantaneous start-stop capability, the Escape HEV will be especially
fuel efficient in city traffic, delivering about 40 mpg in urban driving.  Yet
Escape HEV will deliver acceleration performance similar to an Escape equipped
with the V-6 engine.  The hybrid Escape will be capable of being driven more
than 500 miles on a single tank of gasoline.
    "The combination of fuel efficient operation, power-on-demand and extended
range will make the Escape HEV an attractive choice for Ford customers," says
Neil Ressler, vice president, Ford Motor Company Research and Vehicle
Technology.
    "We're applying advanced hybrid-electric technology to the heart of the
American market: the highly popular sport utility vehicle," Ressler says.
"The Escape HEV will be fuel efficient and extremely clean.  We'll also sell
this hybrid-electric SUV in Europe, under the Maverick name, where its nimble
driving characteristics and clean, fuel-efficient operation should make it
especially appealing to customers."
    The Escape HEV will feature an advanced regenerative braking system which
recaptures energy in the form of electricity when the vehicle is being braked;
the electrical energy is stored in the battery for future use.  A
sophisticated motor-generator saves fuel by shutting down the engine when the
vehicle is coasting or stopped, restarting it almost instantaneously when the
driver steps on the accelerator pedal.  These and other related technologies
have been developed and proven out in Ford's P2000 research program.
    The Escape HEV is being designed to operate more cleanly than government
regulations require.  In fact, it will qualify as a Super Ultra Low Emission
Vehicle (SULEV) under California standards.  It also will meet Stage IV
emissions requirements in Europe before they become mandatory in the 2005
model year.