Ford Escape test drive since 2008 SUV
Updated Ford Escape: So what have been improved here?
This is what no one really expected was the appearance of the restyled Ford Escape. Several times the Fords showed either sketches or the concepts of the Escape of the future generation, and when we were already ready for its appearance, on the stage of the Moscow car dealership ... ... We rolled out a folded Maverick/Escape sample of 2005, I cannot say that we did not like this crossover, just the opposite. He was one of those about which they say: okay is hidden, sewn tightly! Especially the version with the V-shaped six, pleasing to dynamics and traction. Spacious salon and trunk, confident handling, powerful suspension. All -terrain abilities were not required of him, but in his field, Maverick/Escape of the previous generation fought confidently. True, then he was not particularly cheap. Now the price tag on Escape begins at 880 thousand rubles, and we assume that this car costs its money.
Vizozobi
For the first time, we learned about Escape as a serial model somewhere on Halloween 2000, when he, along with the Explorer Sport pickup, was shown in Las Vegas on the Sema show. The official debut took place in Detroit. It is interesting that if Ford now sees among the buyers of the updated crossover of people who have taken place, but not too wealthy, something like the notorious middle class, then it was a car for young couples, possibly with a first-a-old man, but more often with a dog. A classic automatic transmission under the wheel, a large trunk, an impressive look, everyone says that this is still Ford. On the other hand, almost passivity, efficiency and price made it possible to have it as a second car in a family instead of a traditional minivan, those
more than a front -wheel drive version was also available. Escape got to Russia four years later and under the name Maverick. If anyone does not remember, then the Nissan Terrano II clone was called. Probably assuming that some pleasant memories are associated with this, they also called a novelty. The new model, by the way, also had a twin of Mazda, produced exactly the same car called Tribute. We were given a version, which suffered a small modernization, the main point of which was the rejection of the viscous coupling in the all -wheel drive system. In the current generation, the coupling rebelled from nothingness Urban, but off -road
The distributed press release says that the crossover acquired a true city look, while becoming a real SUV nevertheless, Escape received a new front sight, wings, bumpers and the back door. The shape of all lighting devices is completely changed, and the front style is not very similar to what we see from behind. In some angles close to ANFAS, Escape has a rather surprised look, but you quickly get used to it and do not notice after that. The designers worked on the salon much more thoroughly. The front panel and the central console were completely redone. It turned out pretty, and ergonomics was not too injured. The climate settings algorithm are very pleasantly performed. Good sound is combined with understandable control of the audio system. The car, by the way, is not noisy. The British clearly worked on the sound of the exhaust, it turned out very noble. High speeds sprinkle the wind in the front racks and the noise from the tires. Sitting from behind is amazingly convenient. The seats are located amphitheater, that is, the rear are higher than the front, place both above the head and in front of the knees. Escape is still highly holding the brand of a family favorite.
Without jerking The Escape installs a single 2.3-liter 16-valve four of the Durateq series with a capacity of 145 liters. with. The four -speed automatic box does not spoil it at all, but it works reluctantly. This is expressed primarily in noticeable jerks and shocks when switching both down and up. The transmission is deprived of now fashionable pseudo -orchard. The almost forgotten positions 2 and 1 on the box selective look touching. By the way, they definitely fulfill their duties: if you choose 2, then you will be moved with the second, honestly, and if 1, then, no matter how you gas, you won’t switch above! There would still be a shutdown of the overdrave, and I would say that the good old days returned when everyone was afraid of machine guns, because no one really knew how to ride them or almost no one.
The confident manageability of Escape is pleasing. No extracts, like America’s policy regarding communism in the fifties. Where he turned, the car rides there, demonstrating neutral rotation. Patiently stands bad roads. It is predictably inhibited even on gravel and comb. Theoretically, you can make the Escape revenge with the tail, but I do not want to. As for the dynamics and expenses, in both positions you can put the four with the crossover with a stretch of the crossover and the older.
POTENTIAL ENERGY Ford Escape off -road potential, if in numbers, in order: the angles of the entry and exit 27 and 30 degrees. Under the subframe of the front suspension, twenty centimeters of the road clearance, under the back of the rear differential, solid 240 mm. The wheelbase is 2620 mm, combat weight with a pair of riders and baggage will be approximately 1800 kg. The all -wheel drive is connected on demand when slipping any of the wheels or forcibly button on the panel. In a word, all this could be used much more efficiently, if Escape has an anti -wings system. And she is not even for a surcharge. It will not be difficult for an experienced driver to take advantage of where necessary, inertia, choose the right trajectory, use special driving techniques. And what is the one who first bought an all -wheel drive car and already believed in his ability? It's a shame if he gets stuck in a couple of hundred meters from the gate of the cottage or cannot pass through the parapet that piled a snow removal combine. Although there are still enthusiasts that say that, they say, the anti -boom system from the evil one, we believe in any modern car, especially with a claim for non -resistance, it should be.
As for the price, it is not so low. The version of Limited, which we tested, costs 923 thousand, and there is no heating of the seats, Prostitskaya finishes and a felt of trunk flooring sticks out. But the seats are leather and the hatch is cut down now, understand them! And Escape has a lot of competitors, you know them all. Nevertheless, over the first month, more than two hundred crossovers have already been sold. I wonder if there are many among buyers of those who have already had the personal use of Ford Maverick or Escape? I think enough
Author: Igor Gubar, photo of Alexander Openov-Baranov
A source: Magazine 4x4 [February /2009]
