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2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Preview
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All of this whiz-bang technology will be mostly transparent to the consumer. The Ford Escape Hybrid should look and drive just like any V6-powered Ford Escape, except that the engine will shut itself off when it's not needed and there will be a couple of auxiliary gauges to monitor the hybrid powertrain's electrical components. Cargo space, passenger capacity and ground clearance will not be adversely impacted. Four-wheel-drive will also be available. However, the show vehicle that Ford will display at the 2004 New York Auto Show is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, unique front styling, and special graphics to make it stand apart from the crowd. Additionally, a No Boundaries rack system is mounted to the roof. Inside, the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid show vehicle has leather upholstery, natural woven material for the floor mats, and chrome-ringed gauges unique to hybrid model. A navigation system and hybrid system-check visual display resides in the center stack. In addition to North America, Ford expects the Escape Hybrid to be a big hit in Europe, where it will be sold as the Ford Maverick. If Ford can keep pricing down and production up, and the Ford Escape Hybrid proves to be "built Ford tough," we expect it to be a sellout. -- Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
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About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
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