2008 Ford Escape Hybrid First Impressions
4-11-2007
by
Michel Deslauriers
, Auto123.com
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The powetrain
Under the hood, the 2.3-liter, 133-hp Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder remains
unchanged, as is the 94-hp electric motor. The battery under the cargo area
floor is also the same as before. The Escape Hybrid produces a net output of
155 horsepower, and the electric motor actually produces more torque than the
combustion engine. The CVT transmission is also unchanged.
 | | The Hybrid powertrain offers a combine net output of 155 horsepower. |
Ford's David Gabriel, HEV Product Design Engineer, flaunted the new Hybrid's
smoother mode transitions, and fuel economy is also improved thanks to the pure
EV mode that kicks in more frequently.
Ford invited us journalists to a fuel economy competition--basically following
their traced route and coming back with the lowest fuel consumption. We didn't
win, but we were proud of our final average of 7.6 L/100 km (another team
achieved 6.5 L). The Escape Hybrid can go up to 48 km/h on battery power alone,
before the electric motor asks the combustion engine for backup, the latter
firing up instantly and almost seamlessly.
The drive
As we crept away from stoplights at a snails' pace--remember, we don't want to
needlessly use the engine--you can hear the mechanicals creaking underneath as
the vehicle moves forward, something you'd never be able to hear in a
conventional car or truck. But since the Hybrid can only run a few kilometres
on battery power alone, the combustion engine inevitably comes back to life in
order to regenerate juice for the electric motor.
This exercise was quite fun, but I'm not sure I would drive that way on a
regular basis. Matching the published fuel consumption ratings requires you to
drive painfully (and dangerously) slow, because when a smart fortwo is
tailgating you, you know you ain't goin' fast enough. I've also been honked at
by a taxi driver.
Besides the hybrid setup, the electrically-assisted steering is communicative,
the ride is cushy and you don't feel anything at work when you use the brake
pedal, when energy is actually being regenerated.
Conclusion
There are so many factors that need to be checked out when evaluating a hybrid
vehicle, such as driving in the dead of winter to see how the mechanicals stack
up. Until a full road test is scheduled, I think the Escape Hybrid has the
right stuff to continue its prolific career. And together with the Canadian
Government's $2,000 tax break, it should sell in even greater numbers than the
previous model.
Be warned, though: if you mainly drive on the highway, or if you're not up to
driving at an extremely slow pace in the city, you might want to check out
conventional Escapes instead.
 | | You will have to be very mindful of your driving in order to obtain the advertised fuel consumption numbers. |
Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux
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