Ford takes Escapism to new heights

Making the Philippines the starting point of its ASEAN debut, the new 2008 Escape heralds a totally refreshened and more vibrant compact SUV that fully lives up to Ford’s concept of an active and adventurous lifestyle.

“Our new Ford Escape features a refreshing new style that gives it fresh appeal,” said Ford Group Philippines president Rick Baker. “This is a vehicle that has the features and flexibility to offer everyday comfort and driving ease plus the capability for adventure. It’s a great combination and a great value.”

True enough, Ford led a bunch of rowdy and game journalists all the way to scenic Dive Solana in Mabini, Batangas for two days of adventure, which included an Amazing Race-type of competition with a race up Dive Solana’s steep 270-plus hillside steps which left everyone gasping for breath.

The new Ford Escape features a fresh new face incorporating Ford design DNA as well as a whole slew of subtle and not-so-subtle exterior changes. These include a whole new front end, new fenders, new bumpers and a new tailgate; plus detail revisions like new fog lamps, wraparound headlamps, alloy wheels, grille, wheel arches, door cladding, tailgate and tail lamps.

The styling of the new Ford Escape was inspired by the Escape Expression concept, which was featured at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

The new face of the Ford Escape features the distinctive Ford three-bar grille with an integral Blue Oval badge at its center. The grille, finished with a sophisticated chrome effect, combines with a larger, prouder Ford oval to create an unmistakable visual signature that it is part of the Ford identity.

Another key Ford DNA feature is the Ford Escape’s pronounced lower grille. This inverted trapezoid shape conveys power and performance. It features recessed meshing and is bisected subtly by a black bumper beam. Its lower edge is enclosed by a body-color chin spoiler. On 4x4 models, this is a more aggressive shape inspired by skid plates on off-road vehicles.

The Ford Escape front design is accentuated by a new hood sculpting featuring dual raised “power domes” as an expression of strength. The hood design reinforces the new Ford Escape’s streamlined front and complements the raked grille angle.

The headlamps, with a horizontal eyebrow feature line, are sleek and aerodynamic in appearance. The sweeping lamp design visually joins the grille shape while seamlessly flowing into the hood and fender shapes.

The wraparound effect continues with the fog lamps, which are designed into sculpted black inserts in the bevelled recesses in the Escape’s new front bumper.

Viewed from the side, more aggressive wheel arches, new 16-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, and new plastic body-colored side cladding give it a tougher, more off-road-worthy look. The new front fender incorporates a distinctive air vent with Ford Escape badging at its rear edge.

A stylish new feature, often seen in expensive luxury cars, is the integration of signal lamps into the side mirror.

These design changes give the 2008 Ford Escape a less upright, less boxy, and more contemporary design.

The new Escape’s rear view reflects a number of key design enhancements including a new tailgate with wraparound two-piece LED tail lamps. The new rear shape accentuates the horizontal, providing a more car-like look without compromising the Ford Escape’s genuine SUV character.

The tailgate, accented by a prominent Ford oval badge, features straightforward chrome-letter badging. This is the only use of chrome on the tailgate on the new model, resulting in an understated, uncluttered style.

The Ford Escape features a new rear bumper design incorporating a lower diffuser shape and skid plate-inspired lower spoiler, enclosing a recessed mesh. The bumper also features integrated rear light reflectors at the lower corners.

Two new colors – Moondust Silver and Chill (light gold) – have been added to the existing palette of Infra Red, Ocean (dark blue), Panther Black, and Tonic (pale blue).

The Ford Escape 4x2 XLS’ interior features Medium Pebble Suede interior fabrics complemented by a Titanium Stone metallic finish to the center stack and silver accents. Range-topping Escape 4x4 XLT models are differentiated by premium Pebble Leather seating surfaces and bright door handles.

“With on-demand all-wheel-drive, automatic transmission and front seat side head/thorax airbags as standard, the changes have further strengthened the Ford Escape’s overall appeal and make it one of the best value-proposition SUV packages available,” said Baker.

The release of the new model heralds a realignment of the Ford Escape nameplate. Gone is the powerful, but more fuel-thirsty 3.0-liter V6. A spirited 157ps (with 200 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm) 2.3-litre four-cylinder inline gasoline engine with variable valve timing and Electronic Throttle Control mated to a floor-mounted four-speed automatic is now the sole drivetrain.

The Ford Escape differentiates itself from its competition with its real-SUV capabilities. It has the highest ground clearance in its class – 201 mm front and 242 mm rear – giving it superb off-roading capability. It also offers an approach angle of 28.5 degrees and a departure angle of 30 degrees to enable it to negotiate steep terrain.

The Ford Escape is equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, plus disc brakes front and rear. It rolls on Goodyear Wrangler 215/70R16 all-terrain tires.

Standard safety features include dual airbags, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

Pricing of the 2008 Ford Escape starts at a surprisingly low introductory price of P999,000 for the 4x2 GLS as a limited time offer (MSRP is P1,050,000).