LOS ANGELES: Ford presents its newly engineered Escape SUV (sport utility vehicle) with more driver-assist technologies, new mobile connectivity and two new EcoBoost engines.

The Escape has a wheelbase of 2,690mm while measuring 4,524mm-long, 2,078mm-wide and 1,684mm-tall, while coming in three variants such as the entry-level Escape S, the mid-range SE and range topping Titanium.

All three variants will come standard with a front-wheel drive system, a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters and start-stop functionality to help boost fuel economy from four to six percent when in stop-go traffic.

However, only the SE and Titanium variants are able to use a four-wheel drive system as an option.

The Escape S carries over the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre Duratec i-VCT four-cylinder engine from before, which sends 165bhp at 6,000rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4,500rpm to the front wheels

Both SE and Titanium variants come standard with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, but the Titanium variant has the option of using a 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine instead.

The turbocharged 1.5-litre EcoBoost aluminium engine has an integrated exhaust manifold, developing 178bhp at 5,700rpm and 250Nm of torque from 2,500rpm.

On the other hand, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine has had its compression ratio optimised for better combustion – providing 240bhp at 5,500rpm and 366Nm of torque at 3,000rpm, along with improvements in terms of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).

Also in the equipment list is Ford’s SYNC Connect that allows owners to perform a bevy of things such as unlocking doors, check fuel levels, battery charge, tyre pressure, vehicle parking location and scheduled vehicle start – all via a smartphone.

In terms of safety, Ford has crammed in additional driver-assist technologies such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, brake support, a lane-keeping system and an enhanced active park assist.

Furthermore, it also includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keeping system and driver alert system.

To enhance the cabin further, Ford has included a Sport Appearance Package for the SE and Titanium variants, by combining Charcoal Black with subtle Deep Space black for the Escape Titanium.

Also available will be Salerno leather seats that feature a unique horizontal pattern and Titanium owners may opt for Medium Stone seats to help add contrast with the black interior.

The Escape will be offered in three new colours of Canyon Ridge, White Gold and Lightning Blue and six new wheel designs (from 17 to 19-inch).

Such designs for 17-inch wheels include Steel Wheel with Sparkle Silver Cover and Painted Sparkle Silver Alloy, while 18-inch wheels get Painted Sparkle Nickel Alloy and Bright PVD/Chrome Alloy and 19-inch wheels get Painted Luster Nickel Alloy.

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