Ford Philippines has unveiled two new additions to their local lineup, the all-new Ford Escape crossover and the beefed up Ford Explorer Sport. In addition to being upgrades to their respective lineages, these two nameplates augment Ford’s EcoBoost offerings which puts fuel mileage at the forefront without sacrificing power and performance.
Ford Escape
“We are excited to launch the all-new Escape, which further expands our unmatched lineup of SUVs and gives Filipino customers even more choice. This premium SUV features an array of smart and safe technologies, style and capability, and terrific fuel efficiency,” said Kay Hart, managing director of Ford Philippines.
The refreshed Ford Escape is a stunner both inside and out; both aesthetically and functionally. On the exterior is Ford’s signature front grille backed by an aerodynamic design that reduces drag and wind resistance enabling it to slice through the air with ease. Inside are charcoal black leather seats, soft instrument panel, and light door upper roll for a tame yet sophisticated feel. The cabin is also guaranteed to be quiet as new acoustic mirrors ensure that road and wind noise are reflected away from the car. A Power Panorama Roof completes the vehicle’s impressive looks.
“Function follows form in the all-new Escape. The muscular, defined exterior shape is complemented by a dynamic, spacious interior featuring a new level of craftsmanship, technology, and a higher quality feel,” said Hart.
The Escape’s façade is complemented by intuitive creature comforts that make life easier for both drivers and passengers. The Titanium variant has the Hands-free Liftgate which opens and closes the cargo hatch with just a gentle kick under the center of the rear bumper; Active Park Assist which allows the Escape to park itself using an ultrasonic sensing system paired with electric power-assisted steering (EPAC); Intelligent Access which locks and unlocks the driver’s door when the key fob is nearby; Push Button Start that starts the engine by holding down the brake pedal and pushing the Start switch; and the SYNC with MyFord Touch which makes managing and interfacing with the vehicle controls fun and intuitive.
“We pride ourselves in being innovators and segment leaders, and we believe we have put our best work in the all-new Escape. It is all about providing everyday advantages for our customers, creating an SUV that is more dynamic and capable than ever before,” added Hart.
The Escape wouldn’t be complete without Ford’s proprietary EcoBoost engine under the hood, with two variants set to be available by January 2015. The first is a 1.6L SE EcoBoost AT 4×2 with a maximum output of 178hp @ 5,700rpm and 249Nm of pulling power @ 2,500rpm. The second is a 2.0L Titanium EcoBoost AT 4×4 capable of 240hp @ 5,500rpm and 366Nm of torque @ 3,000rpm.
The two variants are mated to Ford’s SelectShift automatic transmission that enables gear selection via a switch on the left-hand side of the shifter. Both engines boast excellent performance and fuel efficiency care of turbocharging, direct injection, torque converter, revised gear ratios, and twin independent variable camshaft timing technologies.
For passenger safety, the Escape features a body made of ultra-high strength steel with ring reinforcement; dual front airbags and side safety canopies; Ford’s intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD) setup; Ford Curve Control for easier cornering; Torque Vectoring Control for better acceleration out of turns; and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) for a less stressful experience whether in the city or in the open road.
You can test drive the brand new Ford Escape at Metro Manila dealerships starting next month, with pre-orders slated at the same period. The Escape 1.6L SE EcoBoost AT variant will be available for PHP 1,490,000 and will come in either ingot silver, oxford white, and tuxedo black all paired with charcoal black interiors. Meanwhile, the Escape 2.0L Titanium EcoBoost AT version will be priced at PHP 1,790,000 with white platinum, magnetic metallic, and tuxedo black options partnered with charcoal black interiors, or a sunset red option paired with medium light stone interiors.
Deliveries will commence on January 2015 with vehicles coming from North America.
Ford Explorer Sport
“The Ford Explorer is one of our flagship vehicles in the Philippines, and the Explorer Sport further raises the bar in the premium mid-size SUV segment. We’re confident its new features, technologies and enhancements will create even stronger appeal for customers in this segment,” said Kay Hart about the newest Explorer Sport.
It flaunts a sporty and aggressive interior with Ford’s three-bar grille up front and 20-inch machined aluminum wheels making a bold statement. Charcoal black leather trimmed seats paired with Sienna inserts in the cabin make for a stylish and appealing inside. DVD headrests, two 4.2-inch color LCD screens, two USB ports, an SD card reader and Sony Premium Audio System with 12 speakers.
The Explorer Sport’s performance was likewise improved, starting with a 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine capable of delivering 365Ps @ 5,500 rpm and 475Nm of torque @ 3,000rpm – all these bringing a fuel-efficient drive making the best use of every drop of gas in the tank. This is paired with a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel and power-adjustable pedals so you can shift gears on the fly.
Backing up this engine are refined innards, including new chassis and suspension, as well as a Terrain Management System for improved and optimized power and torque outputs. A Trailer Tow Package Class III allows it to haul as much as 2,273 kilograms in optimal conditions.
Creature comforts for the Explorer Sport include Remote Keyless Entry, Power Windows, Rear View Camera, Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, and PowerFold third-row seats. The highlight of these is the MyFord Touch with SYNC taking advantage of 2 cluster-mounted displays and one 8-inch touchscreen LCD for intuitive vehicle controls through taps or voice commands.
For safety, the Explorer Sport has Adaptive Cruise Control, Terrain Management System, Collission Warning with Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System, Inflatable Rear-Seatbelts, and Speed Controls.
The all-new Ford Explorer Sport 3.5L will hit the dealerships in November with a price of PHP 2,799,000 with the following color options: tuxedo black, white platinum, and magnetic metallic.