Five-seat SUV will be a direct match for the Honda CR-V
- Hold it, isn't this the new Kuga?
Yes, the vehicle you see here is the new Kuga _ and it also forms the basis for the next Escape for markets like Thailand where it will be carrying that name.
As many of you already know, the Americans are re-embarking on a "One Ford" policy for global markets. The first two models to do so were the Fiesta and Focus B-/C-segment passenger cars.
This time, the new five-seat SUV _ first previewed in the Vertrek concept vehicle earlier this year in Detroit _ will be known as either Kuga or Escape depending on markets.
Launched at this week's Los Angeles auto show, the Kuga/Escape will go head-to-head with the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 over a managed time frame starting next year.
- You mean it's coming to Thailand?
Yup, that's what Life has learned from sources. It will replace its decade-old predecessor that saw tedious facelifts in the Thai market.
Ford's new dedicated plant in Rayong (the current AAT factory is jointly owned with Mazda) will be responsible for C-segment vehicles starting with the third-generation Focus saloon and hatchback next March.
The Escape will follow at the end of 2012 or early 2013 and marks the end of Ford's assembly in the Philippines where the today's Escape is being made.
- Got it. What are the product highlights?
First, there's that sleek appearance which makes the CR-V (even in fourth-generation form) bulbous in comparison. It should be a good race against the CX-5 (also due in Thailand late 2012) in terms of design.
Second, there's a Focus-inspired interior including the chunky four-spoke steering and busy fascia. Ford says that versatility is enhanced by rear seats that can easily fold to create flat cargo floor.
Third, there is a 173hp 1.6- petrol engine hooked up with direct-injection, turbo and six-speed automatic technologies to boost economy. The 237hp 2.0-litre variation is ruled out for Thailand due to the 220hp tax barrier.
The petrol-electric hybrid in the old Escape (which never came to Thailand) will be discontinued as Ford says the so-called Eco-boost petrol heads are more efficient in highway driving.
- What about diesel?
That's a dead cert, particularly for markets in Europe. But now that Ford Thailand has already started selling a diesel engine in the Focus, there's a chance it could come to the new Escape but probably after awhile.
Today, the Focus TDCi is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel-turbo and six-speed dual-clutch combination. That unit easily makes the Escape stand out in Thailand because Honda and Mazda have bigger, tax-penalising 2.2-litre variations (not yet in Thai showrooms).
- Will there still be a new Everest?
True, today's Escape and Everest overlap in the 1-1.5 million baht price range, but the vehicles appeal to different sets of SUV punters, according to people at Ford.
The five-seat Escape is based on a car-like monocoque platform with emphasis on on-road driving manners, while the seven-seat Everest utilises the Ranger's pickup chassis-on-frame underpinning for extra capability in the mud.
But, according to our moles, the all-new Everest will come a little late because extra development needs to be carried out for the rear suspension.
The traditional leaf spring type isn't competitive enough against the coil spring set-up found in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner sport-utilities.
And as reported in Life last week, the pickup-based Chevrolet Trailblazer is due early next year with a multi-link rear suspension.
Other than that, though, the next Everest borrows much of the styling and technology from the all-new Ranger pickup workhorse, just launched in Thailand earlier this month.
Escape set to lead class in terms of driving dynamics.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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