Ford Kuga = Escape?

[peterk9]

I placed this on the Explorer forum since there were a few members who thought that perhaps Ford would make the Escape a true 'off-roader' with the Explorer now being unibody.

I was watching one of those 1/2 hour car review shows (Car Business) on TV this morning and they mentioned that this vehicle would likely be the replacement for the Escape.

http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Kuga

 

[sabasigh]

They showed a concept @ the Detroit show that is likely the replacement for the Kuga & Escape: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303199

It ain't bad to me...would like to see a V6 option tho.

More info: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/spied/11q1/2013_ford_escape_spy_photos-future_cars

We expect that Ford will offer a choice of powertrains in the next Escape, but we don’t expect any available engine to have more than four cylinders or be paired with a transmission containing fewer than six ratios

 

[sabasigh]

Wow...they aint wasting any time:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/03/spy-shots-2013-ford-escape-caught/

 

[FLOffroad]

Speaking of this - Ford's already advertising the 2012 Focus on their website! It's not even Spring of 2011 yet!!!

 

[boominXplorer]

Looks alot like a Mazda CX9 if you ask me

 

[FLOffroad]

Oh pfff - all those CUVs look the same! Silliness, large wheels and no ground clearance!
Is the C-Max something differently entirely? Part of me thinks they might replace the Escape with that.

 

[1tufgt]

Oh pfff - all those CUVs look the same! Silliness, large wheels and no ground clearance!
Is the C-Max something differently entirely? Part of me thinks they might replace the Escape with that.

C-Max will not replace the Escape, it a totally different vehicle. I believe it's based off the Fiesta platform. Instead of opening rear doors it has a sliding rear door. Ford also unveiled the B-Max concept which is a smaller version of the C-Max.

I think the new Escape will be built off the fusion platform here at LAP.

 

[FLOffroad]

Ford also unveiled the B-Max concept which is a smaller version of the C-Max.

Who does Ford think they are Mercedes or something? B-Max, C-Max - are they going to make a compact A-Max and an offroad SUV G-Max as well?
Anyway, thanks for clarifying.

 

[edge929]

Looks more like the smaller CX-7 than the CX-9 (size wise). To me, the Kuga just looks smaller than the current Escape. I would think they would go slightly bigger if anything.

I've always loved the look of the Escape. Plain, no frills, no gimmicks, just a good 'ol boxish SUV that isn't a Honda Element. If they kept the Escape the same but just enlarged it and put an "Explorer" sticker on it, I'd be driving that right now. I needed something bigger than the Escape and that was the only thing preventing me from getting one.

 

[Lanky]

An interesting thing about the Kuga over in the UK is that the gasoline engine gets about 27 mpg and the diesel gets about 48 mpg. Pretty good gap for the same vehicle. They have a Territory that looks like the new ex that is coming out with a diesel but no info as of yet. I wish I knew how to convert l/100 km to mpg.
Toyota has a Land Cruiser with a V8 diesel that gets about 27 or 28 which is impressive for that size of vehicle.

 

[EX-SV]

Sounds very interesting, more like a new Kia Sportage.

 

[EX-SV]

Any news on the new Escape?

 

[Rick]

Crappy shot, but I photographed a Kuga 2.5T out on a test drive near my house. Just another CUV. It looks even less offroad worthy than the last Escape.

 

[EX-SV]

I hope the new Escape/Kuga looks like the Vertrek concept.

 

[peterk9]

I hope the new Escape/Kuga looks like the Vertrek concept.

I was just reading in our local paper that the Ford Concept Vertrek is expected to be the new, yet-to-be revealed Escape. It will feature two turbo oprions, 1.6 and 2.0 litre as well as the regular 2.5 4 cylinder engine. There will be no V6. It is set to be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Peter

 

[EX-SV]

Yes, the Vertrek is hot. And these days often production cars look very similar to concepts shown. Only 4 banger engines tb offered for this small SUV is the news from various sources.

 

[EX-SV]

Saw all three at Silicon Valley auto show (Escape, CX-5, CRV), Cx5 had cleanest styling.

 

[EX-SV]

I saw the production sheet of new Escapes coming to my local dealer. They should arrive in middle of May.

 

[EX-SV]

Maybe I'll get one later, for now I have a CX-5 which is similar in size and market it's being sold into.