AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 25 February 2020 – The all-new Ford Escape SUV will bring a fresh offering to SUV buyers, with advanced technology, an all-new platform and standard FordPass Connect embedded modem across a premium focussed line-up.
The new Escape will join the highly-contented Ford Puma, delivering a sleek and spacious design ethos for buyers, a high level of standard equipment and advanced features.
Arriving in showrooms from Q3 2020, the all-new Ford Escape takes the customer benefits that Escape is known for to a new level, thanks to enhanced driving dynamics, user-friendliness and advanced technology, to slip simply and seamlessly into everyday life.
“The Escape and the Puma offer customers SUVs designed to stand apart from the crowd,” said Simon Rutherford, Managing Director, Ford New Zealand. “Escape and Puma are also distinguished by advanced safety and Driver Assistance Technology, including FordPass Connect, paired with effortless style, simplicity and practicality.”
In addition to a five-year, unlimited kilometre full factory warranty[i], the all-new Escape is eligible for the Ford Service program, which brings owners a Loan Car Programme, Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Report Cards as well as MapCare[ii].
Your very own ‘Escape’
A key consideration for SUV buyers, efficiency was a core element in every development process of the all-new Ford Escape. The New Escape C2 platform, shared with New Zealand Car of the Year award winner the Ford Focus, uses advanced materials to be significantly stronger, more rigid and electrification-ready, delivering real-world improvements to safety and fuel efficiency.
Demonstrating this advantage is the increase in wheelbase, enabling a roomier, more comfortable interior – with additional cargo and occupant space – in comparison to the previous Escape. Despite this, the new Escape also posts a significant weight reduction of up to 90kg against the equivalent of the existing model. Such a significant weight reduction further reduces running costs for customers, while also bringing improved driving dynamics though handling and responsiveness thanks to a 10-percent increase in torsional rigidity.
Space efficiency comes courtesy of greater dimensions: the all-new Escape is 44mm wider and 89mm longer than the outgoing model, while the wheelbase has increased by 20mm. Inside, that translates to 43mm additional shoulder room and 57mm more hip room in the front seats, while rear passengers benefit from 20mm more shoulder room and 36mm more hip room. Despite a 20mm lower overall height, the all-new Escape also brings 13mm more headroom for front seat occupants and 35mm additional space in the rear.
For rear seat passengers, the entire second row of seats can be moved forwards or backwards to increase legroom or boot space. A remote release function enables the second row to be folded flat with ease.
Smart Powertrains
The 2020 Ford Escape brings a choice of two powertrains, with a mix of front-wheel and all-wheel drive models. All Escapes feature a 2.0L EcoBoost powertrain with an 8-speed automatic, apart from the Escape PHEV, which has its own 2.5L Atkinson cycle/electric powertrain.
The 2.0-litre EcoBoost develops 183kW/387Nm and, teamed with the advanced 8-speed paddleshift automatic, is designed to deliver greater drivability and increased performance. Combined fuel economy is 8.6L/100km for both FWD and AWD Escape variants powered by the EcoBoost powertrain.
An integrated intake system, combined with a high-pressure fuel injection, enhances refinement and enables effortless driving, whether passenger- and cargo-laden or on a spirited solo sojourn.
Greater choice to suit New Zealand lifestyles
Reflecting the new-generation’s significant advancements in technology and capability, a revised naming structure has been introduced with Escape in order to allow customers to strongly distinguish the attributes and equipment levels of each variant.
The 2020 Ford Escape line-up will comprise of several variants and powertrain options. The first variant, badged as ‘Escape’, featuring accessible style and technology, will be joined by the sports-focussed Escape ST-Line and Escape ST-Line X. The 2020 Ford Escape line-up brings greater levels of standard equipment and is made up of:
‘Escape’ (FWD and PHEV): A stylish model like no other
The ‘Escape’ follows an elegant and simplistic theme throughout its stylish exterior and cabin. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels on the EcoBoost and 18-inch alloys on the PHEV.
Both feature a five-bar chrome-finish front grille, with stylish LED headlights and taillights for greater vision for the driver and enhanced on-road visibility to other road users. The exterior sees the tailgate fitted with an integrated rear spoiler and sporty twin exhaust tips to build on the active, athletic poise.
The 2020 Ford Escape’s comprehensive standard Driver Assist Technology suite includes:
Additional standard technology across the 2020 Ford Escape line-up includes:
In addition, six airbags including driver, front-passenger, front seat-mounted side airbags and side curtains are standard, with a front and second-row seatbelt reminders ahead of ISOFIX child-seat anchorage points.
Escape PHEV: Plug-in Smarts and athleticism
The all-new Escape PHEV delivers the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine alongside the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain.
The Escape PHEV’s advanced powertrain sees power-split architecture combining a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, electric motor and generator, and 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 165kW. Ford’s first PHEV in will deliver a fully-electric driving range in excess of 50 kilometres[iii], with a combined fuel economy figure of 1.5L/100km.
The Ford Escape PHEV’s battery can be recharged using an integrated charging port and is automatically replenished on the move using regenerative charging technology that captures kinetic energy normally lost during braking.
Drivers can choose when and how to deploy battery power using EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge modes. When the battery reaches its lowest state-of-charge, the system automatically reverts to EV Auto mode – supplementing petrol engine power with electric motor assistance using recaptured energy to optimise fuel-efficiency for the Escape PHEV.
Escape ST-Line: sports focussed, style oriented
The Escape ST-Line builds on the highly-equipped Escape model in a sport-focussed package. Distinguished by ST-Line specific 18-inch alloys, its own upper grille design in the sports front and rear bumpers, sports side skirts and lowered sports suspension, the ST-Line also expresses its sports focus with a larger unique rear spoiler.
Escape ST-Line brings black detailing inside and out, with black roof rails outside before the cabin’s black belt mouldings and dark sports headlining. In the driver’s seat, there’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster behind an ST-Line flat-bottom steering wheel with red stitching, and metallic foot pedals to complete the theme.
Escape ST-Line X EcoBoost and PHEV: Dialling it up further
The Escape ST-Line X extends the feature set with a host of additional features including 19-inch alloys, fully automatic parking, handsfree liftgate and a B&O Audio System with 10 speakers.
FordPass and FordPass Connect: A window into the future, today
Every new 2020 Ford Escape will offer the FordPass Connect embedded modem as standard. FordPass brings an array of convenient remote vehicle functionality and connected services to make life simpler for Ford Escape owners, such as remote vehicle lock and unlock.
FordPass also features several services that are designed to simplify customers’ ownership experience, placing key vehicle information in the palm of their hand. These include access to roadside assistance, the ability to schedule a service online and check their recent service history, their owners’ manual, and even a convenient way to get in touch with a ‘Ford Guide’, who can assist – by phone or email – with any queries about connected services.
FordPass will offer a range of additional features that are designed to make owning an ‘Escape FWD PHEV’ or ‘Escape ST-Line X FWD PHEV’ seamless and convenient, such as easy access to charging information including charge level and status, information about charge locations and preferred times, and the ability to activate charging remotely.
Standard in every Escape is Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, built-in voice activated sat-nav and compatibility with apps including Waze and Spotify. The large display screen also doubles as a full-colour reversing camera, with both front and rear parking sensors standardised across the 2020 Escape range.
Escape 2.0L EcoBoost FWD & Escape 2.5L FWD PHEV
Exterior Features:
Interior Features:
Escape ST-Line FWD & AWD (Escape Content plus the following):
Exterior Features:
Interior Features:
Escape 2.0L EcoBoost ST-Line X AWD & Escape 2.5L ST-Line X FWD PHEV
(ST-Line FWD & AWD content plus the following)
Exterior Features:
Interior Features:
EXTERIOR COLOURS – available on all models
Frozen White, Agate Black, Blue Metallic, Magnetic, Solar Silver, Rapid Red
