| The Ford Escape Hybrid is a fuel-saving, | | | | space. |
| gas-electric hybrid-power version of small, | | | | |
| four-door sport-utility vehicle, available | | | | The software and computerized controllers |
| with front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel | | | | that make everything work effectively is the |
| drive (4x4). Its power train has 2.3-liter, | | | | key to a hybrid. Small badges identify the |
| four-cylinder gas engine rated 133 horsepower | | | | Ford Escape as a hybrid. The instrument panel |
| at 6,000 rpm, 129 pounds-feet of torque at | | | | is a little different because it contains a |
| 4,500 rpm; synchronous AC electric motor | | | | gauge that shows when the electric motor is |
| rated 94 hp from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm; 330-volt | | | | the source of power and when the gasoline |
| battery pack under rear cargo floor; | | | | engine is running. An optional LCD display in |
| electronically controlled, continuously | | | | the center stack gives instant and average |
| variable transmission. Maximum power output | | | | fuel economy as well as a pictorial |
| is 155 hp because gas and electric do not | | | | representation of how the power is flowing at |
| make their maximum power simultaneously. | | | | any instant. |
| | | | |
| It has a 2.3-liter, Atkinson-cycle | | | | The Escape's hybrid engine shuts down at rest |
| four-cylinder gasoline engine with a | | | | to conserve fuel. When driving resumes, the |
| 70-kilowatt permanent-magnet traction | | | | SUV's 70-kilowatt traction motor generator |
| electric motor, regenerative braking and a | | | | can launch the vehicle on electric power. |
| 330-volt battery pack. The combination | | | | When it's needed, the generator starts the |
| provides performance on par with a V-6. The | | | | gas engine without the increased emissions |
| hybrid never has to be plugged in because the | | | | produced when a conventional engine is |
| engine recharges the batteries, by the | | | | started |
| electric motor and by heat recovered as | | | | |
| energy during braking. | | | | The Escape Hybrid also produces as little as |
| | | | half the amount of carbon dioxide (greenhouse |
| "The Escape hybrid really "wants" to be an | | | | gas) as a conventional gas engine. It |
| electric vehicle, but the gasoline engine | | | | produces 97 percent less hydrocarbon and |
| adds power for acceleration, charges the | | | | oxides of nitrogen emissions than vehicles |
| batteries and powers the air conditioning," | | | | meeting today's required emission standards. |
| said Mary Ann Wright, Ford's director of | | | | That qualifies it for the Advanced Technology |
| Sustainable Mobility Programs | | | | Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) |
| | | | standards designation. |
| Unlike electric cars, hybrids never need to | | | | |
| be plugged into a recharger. Regenerative | | | | Being the leader in the development of low |
| braking recharges the Ford Escape Hybrid, | | | | emission vehicles, Ford continually develops |
| which converts electric motor into a | | | | projects that will someday result in |
| generator to help refill the battery pack | | | | practical hydrogen-powered vehicles with no |
| during stops; and by a recharging system | | | | greenhouse gas emissions. |
| powered by the gas engine. | | | | |
| | | | As zealous as Ford in continually upgrading |
| Designed to last for the life of the vehicle | | | | its products to suit every client needs, |
| and can be found under the Escape's cargo | | | | Partstrain is always looking for superior and |
| floor, the battery pack, which contains 250 | | | | quality workmanship for its product lines. |
| small batteries roughly the size of D cells | | | | Only the finest Ford auto body parts comprise |
| mounted in series doesn't infringe on cargo | | | | its stock. |