Ford Says Goodbye to the Escape Hybrid
Published October 5, 2011
The new 2013 Escape will be based on the Ford Vertrek concept, but it won't include a hybrid model.
Ford will unveil the redesigned 2013 Escape SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month and details are already beginning to emerge about the carmaker's plans for the third generation of its popular crossover. Sadly for hybrid fans, Ford has announced that the Escape Hybrid will be discontinued for 2013.
In its place will be two variations of the carmaker's EcoBoost turbocharged gas engine: a 2.0-liter model that will aim to match the performance of competing V6s while handily beating their fuel economy, and a 1.6-liter model that is expected to beat the highway efficiency of the current Escape Hybrid. Styling for the new Escape will be based on the Ford Verterk concept, which debuted last January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The Escape Hybrid has been on the market since 2004, selling as many as 21,386 units in 2007 before gradually declining to just 11,182 units last year, when cumulative sales for the model crossed the 100,000 mark. It was the first hybrid to be manufactured in the United States, though technology and powertrain components were purchased from Toyota.
Replacing the Escape Hybrid in Ford's green vehicle lineup will be the C-Max hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid small minivan models, which are slated to launch next year. The C-Max hybrid will achieve fuel economy improvements of more than 25 percent compared with the Escape Hybrid. Both the C-Max and Escape (as well as eight other vehicles including the Focus and Focus EV sedans) will be built on Ford's new C-car platform. Building everything from sedans, to crossovers, to SUVs on the same platform enables Ford to use many of the same components, saving money and adding versatility to its production line.
But even with a variety of multi-powertrain options spread across several C-car models, the demise of the Escape Hybrid means that Ford—for the time being—will be without an all-wheel drive family hybrid.
Related Articles
- Energy Department Hired Restructuring Adviser for Fisker Loan
- Audi Confirms First Hybrid For U.S. Market
- GM Loans Volts in Effort to Win Over Doubters
- Toyota Hybrids and Other Models Take Five Spots Out of 10 on CR 'Top Pick' List
- Tesla's Net Loss Widens, But Company Expects Revenue to Increase Dramatically in 2012
32 weeks ago
But still no diesel. Get with it, Ford.
32 weeks ago
"technology and powertrain components were purchased from Toyota."
Would you mind backing that up. The CVT came form the same company as Toyota. Toyota later bought controlling interest, but your statement makes it seem like Ford did the same thing as Nissan and just bought the tech.
I do think this is a bad idea. Why would you stop producing the best MPG SUV?
32 weeks ago
Actually Ford invented hybrids. Sold the technology to Toyota.
Then Ford had to licence it back ..
So Ford was the KING and Toyota was the copy .
The only thing green about Toyota is american money going to japan one way or another.
The public needs to know what a sham that company really is.
32 weeks ago
Well we all know this site is owned by toyota advertising.
So we know what bias the articles follow.
C girl
32 weeks ago
A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used
http://www.aabout.biz/2011/10/suv.html
32 weeks ago
Actually Ford and Toyota developed hybrids at the same time. There were patent disputes and Ford and Toyota worked it out. The Prius came out years before the Escape hybrid. It is interesting that the ad I see on this page is for a GMC Terrain.
So bill, calling the largest car manufacturer in the world a sham seems kind of lame.
Cindy - I see GM advertising on this page, so you are full of it.
Charles - I have to agree with you. When the Cmax hybrid arrives, then maybe pull the Escape hybrid, but not before.
32 weeks ago
Check out today's Detroit News Automotive section (9-6-11): www.detnews.com
The 2013 Ford Focus diesel sells well in Europe and will come to US soon ...
32 weeks ago
This is expected. Prius V will anyway take the market
of Escape-H. Anyway the C-Max Hybrid & Plugin will be
the right product in terms of size and interior volume
and mileage in 40s to compete with Prius V.
I believe the tall wagon hybrids will soon eat into
Hybrid SUVs. Already BMW X6 is phased out.
32 weeks ago
"Actually Ford and Toyota developed hybrids at the same time. There were patent disputes and Ford and Toyota worked it out."
Thanks, Shines. I'm glad someone's been paying attention.
32 weeks ago
Ford is coming out with a whole variety or range of EV related options. The plug-in SUV may come, haven't they been field testing it the past 2 years?
MrEnergyCzar
32 weeks ago
This Article is Wrong, that isn't based on some Concept vehicle. That is based on Europes Ford Kuga as a matter of fact, IT IS the Ford Kuga. The Kuga is a boss and I expect this American Iteration of it to be the same. Ford plans to replace the Escape with this and possibly the Fusion with The Rest of the World's Ford Mondeo.
32 weeks ago
Ford is also closing the V6 version. All 3 engines will be V4 with 2 of them being Ecoboost. So flexfuel version is also gone. All their prime concentration today is on Ecoboost. Its OK as long as the vehicle gets 30+ MPG.
32 weeks ago
Audi cars are loved by those who have driven them and admired by those who haven’t. The cars are expensive for sure because of the great performance and luxury quotient for which the brand is known around the world. There might be some instances when you may want to hire an Audi car for some purposes in the United States.
hire audi in us
32 weeks ago
Audi cars are loved by those who have driven them and admired by those who haven’t. The cars are expensive for sure because of the great performance and luxury quotient for which the brand is known around the world. There might be some instances when you may want to hire an Audi car for some purposes in the United States.
hire audi in us
32 weeks ago
Audi cars are loved by those who have driven them and admired by those who haven’t. The cars are expensive for sure because of the great performance and luxury quotient for which the brand is known around the world. There might be some instances when you may want to hire an Audi car for some purposes in the United States.
hire audi in us
32 weeks ago
The best is to come as part of Ford. So stay tuned
32 weeks ago
"selling as many as 21,386 units in 2007 before gradually declining to just 11,182 units last year"
This is the main reason? or just by picking up this news as a negative campaign from the Ford Escape? Just wait until 2013 and see if this news really happened.
hybrid cars
30 weeks ago
I just got offf the phone with Ford marketing. 10/25/11 and they said they are not stopping production of the Ford Escape Hybrid!!! 2013 comes out in May 2012.
29 weeks ago
Funny I used to really want an escape hybrid... before I discovered diesel and that I really wanted to keep driving a manual transmission vehicle. If the ecoboost can really match the hybrid, then why not? It's cheaper anyway... and if they continue to offer a manual transmission model with the new design... interesting. Of course, as the first poster said... a diesel would be nice...
5 weeks ago
Audi are junk versions of BMWs and everyone who drives an Audi would prefer a beemer. Ford brilliantly has been taking notes from BMW designers which will only help Ford regain respect in the auto industry.
4 weeks ago
I have an 09 Mariner hybrid and love it and had planned to buy an Escape in 13 but I will not if they do not have the hybrid. I will leave Ford and go else where. I am very dissapointed.
Post a new comment