2013 Ford Escape With EcoBoost: On Its Way To Dealers Now

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

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Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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2013 Ford Escape

2013 Ford Escape, launched at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Nov 2011

Enlarge Photo

Fitted with Ford’s latest green engine technology, the 2013 Ford Escape has started to roll off the production line at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky. 

Starting at $22,470, the compact crossover SUV has undergone a complete redesign for this year, giving it a strong family resemblance to the smaller 2012 Ford Focus hatchback.

Dropping the V6 and hybrid variants of previous years, the 2013 Ford Escape offers a choice of three engines, all four-cylinder. 

While there’s an option of a 2.5-liter front-wheel drive Escape capable of 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, Ford is keen to promote its 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Ecoboost option, which is capable of 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway when matched with a front-wheel drive transmission. 

For those in need of extra power, there’s a 2.0-liter EcoBoost option, capable of an impressive 240 horsepower when run on premium.

2013 Ford Escape, launched at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Nov 2011

Enlarge Photo

Connected with a front-wheel drive only drivetrain, the larger Ecoboost engine can manage 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, while the all-wheel drive option reduces that to 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

In order to produce the new 2013 Ford Escape, the company has invested an estimated $600 million in its 60-year old Louisville facility, including the purchase of more than 1,000 new robots and 20 miles of conveyors. 

In addition, the company has already hired an additional 3,100 workers to help increase factory production volumes. 

Now, Ford says, the Louisville facility can manufacture six different models on the same line. 

With standard features like hands-free power tailgate, active park assist and MyFord Touch, Ford hopes its 2013 Escape will give it the competitive edge over its competitors in the segment. 

But will it? Let the buyers decide. 

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