Ford predicts that cross-overs and trucks will make up 86 per cent of its production in a couple of years.
In preparation, the company is discontinuing most of its sedans and increasing the number of trucks, utility vehicles and cross-overs on offer.
The mid-size Ranger has joined the truck line and will reportedly be followed by a new small truck. The Bronco name will be resurrected within a year, for a new sport ute.
The Expedition and Explorer have recently undergone serious makeovers. A new Escape is in the wings, to be followed by a Lincoln version called the Corsair.
One of five Ford SUVs and crossovers with a name starting with “E,” the Escape is the company’s second best-seller, after the F150.
The Escape first appeared for the 2001 model year. A hybrid version came along in 2005, and the third generation came to market for 2013.
To date, Ford has sold more than 4.5 million Escapes in North America.
Ford showed off the 2020 Escape in early April, with simultaneous reveals in Dearborn and Europe, where it will be called the Kuga.
The 2020 Escape will arrive at dealers this fall in S, SE, SE Sport, SEL and Titanium trim levels. Initial units will roll on 17-, 18- or 19-inch wheels off the Kentucky assembly line with two different gasoline engines and front- or all-wheel drive.
A pair of hybrids will follow next spring, including a plug-in version.
The fourth-gen Escape is based on the global C2 small-car platform, which made its debut beneath the current European Fiesta.
The new Escape has a trapezoidal grill similar to that on the Mustang. It will be longer, wider, lower and almost 100 kilos lighter. An updated suspension, improved aerodynamics, new drivetrains and a totally-new interior are the highlights.
The base model will have an all-new, 1.5-litre turbocharged, three-cylinder engine that’s projected to produce 180 horsepower. Standard on S, SE and SEL models, it is expected to produce 180 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque on premium fuel, slightly less with regular.
This engine will feature cylinder deactivation which can shut off one cylinder under low- or no-load conditions. Ford says it can activate or deactivate a cylinder in 14 milliseconds.
At the other end, the Titanium version will be available with a 250-horsepower, 2.0-litre, turbo four. All-wheel drive will be available on all but the plug-in hybrid.
Gasoline engines will be paired with a new eight-speed automatic, the hybrids with a CVT (continuously variable transmission).
The SE Sport and Titanium versions will be available with the fourth generation of Ford’s hybrid system.
The setup includes an all-new, 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine which is projected to put a combined output of 198 horsepower, and will go up to 140 km/h under electric power.
The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack can be recharged in 10-11 hours from a 110-volt outlet and in 3.5 from a Level 2, 240-volt source.
The new suspension is mated to an isolated rear subframe said to reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).
A selectable drive mode system will be standard on all models. It will include settings for normal, eco, sport and slippery, plus snow and sand conditions.
The second-row seats in gasoline engine models will slide fore/aft through a 15-cm range for best-in-class rear seat, or cargo space. This feature will not be available on the hybrid versions because of the location of the briefcase-sized battery pack. Head, shoulder and hip room are all increased in the new Escape.
Available features will include the ability to park in a parallel or perpendicular location at the touch of a button, without touching the steering wheel, gear shift, gas or brake pedals.
A new evasive steering assist system can help the driver avoid an imminent collision. Other driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane-centering.
A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot for up to 10 mobile devices will also be available.
FordPass Connect will let drivers use their smartphone to lock, unlock, locate and start the vehicle.
The specs
- Model: 2020 Ford Escape
- Engines:
— turbocharged, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, 180 horsepower, 177 lb.-ft. of torque
— turbocharged, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, 250 horsepower, 275 lb.-ft. of torque
— hybrid - 2.5-litre four-cylinder and electric motor, 198 horsepower
— plug-in hybrid - 2.5-litre four-cylinder and electric motor, 209 horsepower - Transmissions: eights speed and continuously variable (hybids) automatic
- NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): NA
- Length: 4,585 mm
- Width: 2,175 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,710 mm
- Weight: 1,500- 1,765 kg
- Price: estimated: $27,000- $40,000
- Competition: Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4
