Ford Escape First Generation
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Make : | Ford |
Production period: | 2000 to 2007 |
Body versions : | SUV station wagon |
Engines: | Gasoline : 2.0-3.0 liters (95-150 kW) |
Length: | 4394-4442 mm |
Width: | 1781 mm |
Height: | 1755-1770 mm |
Wheelbase : | 2619 mm |
Curb weight : | 1595-1655 kg |
The Ford Escape First Generation was built from 2000 to 2007 by the American car manufacturer Ford.
History
The Ford Escape is a compact SUV manufactured by Ford in the United States. In Europe, the first model generation of the Escape was sold as the Ford Maverick's second model generation. In Europe, the Maverick was replaced by the Ford Kuga in 2008.
The first model generation was released in the fall of 2000 and was identical to the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner. The second generation of the Ford Maverick was released in Europe with minimal revisions. It was smaller than the Ford Explorer but larger than comparable SUVs from Japanese manufacturers Honda and Toyota. At the time, SUVs were frequently manufactured using body-on-frame construction and rigid rear axles. Although the payload capacity was improved, it came at the sacrifice of handling and ride comfort. Ford designed the Escape for on-road use rather than off-road use, thus he has independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, which was unusual for SUVs at the time.Optionally, however, a four-wheel drive system with limited slip differential was also available.
The Escape is equipped with a passive immobilizer with an RFID chip embedded in the key, which is read every time the vehicle is started. If the vehicle does not receive a valid acknowledgment from the key, The start of the engine will not start.
In 2004, a facelift was made, in addition to minor external modifications, the 2.0-liter Zetec engine with 95 kW was replaced by a 2.3-liter Duratec engine, which was now also available with an automatic transmission. In addition, the airbag system and seat belts have been revised.In Europe, the Ford Maverick was taken out of the model range in 2007 and replaced in 2008 by the Kuga .
On January 18, 2012, the US Department of Transportation (NHTSA) announced a recall for year 2001 and 2002. This affected 244,500 vehicles because they could leak brake fluid and cause damage to the electronics.
2004 began the production of the Ford Escape Hybrid . The hybrid version was a full hybrid, with the system automatically switching between electric and petrol mode for maximum performance and efficiency. A combined use of electric and gasoline engine was possible. When braking, the braking energy was used to recharge the batteries for the electric motor.
The Escape was the first freely available hybrid-drive SUV, 75% more efficient than the normal version, in terms of fuel consumption, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The technique of the Escape Hybrid was similar to that of the Toyota Prius . Ford used some of Toyota's hybrid patents, allowing the Japanese to use patents for diesel engines and gasoline direct injection in return. The demand for the Escape Hybrid exceeded all expectations, Ford built in the second half of 2004 alone a total of 17,000 vehicles, four times as much as originally planned.
