Ford Escape Hybrid Takes on The Big Apple

Motor, May 2004 by Nash, Tom

Ford unveiled its 2005 Escape Hybrid in a flashy way during the New York International Auto Show by driving nonstop around Manhattan on one 15-gallon tank of gasoline. The productionready vehicle, which is expected in showrooms late this summer, averaged more than 38 mpg, traveling 576 miles in 37 hours of continuous driving.

The 2.3L 4-cylinder DOHC Atkinson cycle engine generates 133 hp at 6000 rpm and 129 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4500 rpm, and is yoked to a 70-kilowatt traction motor/generator. The combined output of both gas and electric motors is rated by Ford at 155 hp. The hybrid meets the stringent Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards.

Ford also announced the hybrid combo-drive will appear in a 2006 sedan (to be named later) and the 2007 Mercury Mariner SUV.