The brand new Ford Escape will have even more of an environmental emphasis than before thanks to two different EcoBoost engines: a 2.0litre four-cylinder; and a 1.6litre, four-cylinder; the latter making its debut in the USA.
Among the EcoBoost technologies featured with both versions of the engine are: direct fuel injection and turbocharging; as well as twin independent variable camshaft timing. This helps the 1.6litre model to segment-leading fuel economy among compact SUVs – a five mpg improvement on the previous Ford Escape. The 2.0litre Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder can deliver a projected 339Nm of torque; while the 1.6litre four-cylinder offers 240Nm.
In addition, both EcoBoost engines will be mated to a specially calibrated six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission – this comes as standard and allows drivers to manually control gear selection.
In addition, efforts have been made to remove unwanted noise from the EcoBoost engines, with the 1.6litre version adding an electronically controlled bypass valve that mitigates turbocharger tip-in and tip-out noises and helps secure a smoother sound out of the engine when the customer tips off the throttle.
The base engine of the Ford Escape will be a 2.5litre four-cylinder, which shares many of the EcoBoost’s components, helping it to increase fuel economy. Among its features are a new lower-tension global front-end accessory drive belt; and an active grille shutter system which opens the grille slats when extra engine cooling air is needed and then closes to improve aerodynamics on the highway.
