Escaping And Exploring Outdoors

8 March 2001

New Zealand Drivers Faced With 'No Boundaries' When Escaping And Exploring Outdoors

To complement the outdoors lifestyle associated with the Ford Explorer and the new Sport Utility Vehicle the Ford Escape, Ford New Zealand is launching a range of accessories and merchandise under the 'No Boundaries – Ford Outfitters' brand.

Ford New Zealand Brand Manager, Barbara Paley, said the 'No Boundaries' concept was first used in North America to market sport utility vehicles, and has been adapted to suit the New Zealand market.

"No Boundaries allows customers and dealers to work together to personalise their new Ford Escape or Ford Explorer, and includes clothing and dealer-fit accessories that add further practicality to Ford vehicles," she said.

"No Boundaries is more than a brand – it is a lifestyle experience accessible to those who are willing to participate in life to gain from it. It's not for those who want to watch from the sidelines."

Ford dealers, as No Boundaries outfitters, will be able to match vehicles with lifestyles and then appoint the vehicle as appropriate to the drivers' desired outdoor pursuit.

"For example, vehicle accessories for the Escape will initially be offered in three packages. These include biking, kayaking, and skiing. The different packs have specific features dedicated to people participating in these activities," said Ms Paley.

Weathershields, carpet and cargo mats, bonnet guards, scuff plates, running boards and towbar are features of all of the Escape accessory packs. Further additions to specific packs include snow rack for carrying skis or snowboard, kayak holder, heavy-duty roof rack, headlamp and grille guards.

"New Zealanders are fabled for our love of the great outdoors, and we will help make such adventures more accessible. 'No Boundaries' will enable us to work with our customers to add to the enjoyment they already get from their leisure activities," she said.

To ensure that customers are given every opportunity to take advantage of the "No Boundaries" concept, Ford is also working with a number of event organizers to build associations with outdoor events that will appeal to customers.

"It's important to us that not only do we offer our customers the ability to be able to participate if they choose too, but also to offer them the opportunity to be involved with a number of "No Boundaries – Ford Outfitters" activities.

"Such associations, for example our long term commitment to the Whakapapa Ski Field, offer many exciting opportunities to develop the No Boundaries theme elsewhere," said Barbara Paley.

For further information, please contact Lisa Franklin, Ford Motor Company,
Tel (09) 277 8556, Mobile (025) 997 761 or email lfrankl3@ford.com

2001 Ford Escape
New Zealand Specification

2 MODELS
 Escape XLS 3.0 V6
 Escape XLT 3.0 V6

PAINTS
 Atlantic Blue
 Blaze Red
 Crimson Glow
 Cyprus Green
 Midnight Black
 Platinum
 Polar White
 Quicksilver

TRIMS
 Medium Dark Graphite
 Medium Dark Parchment

2001 Ford Escape
Small SUV for Big-City Driving and Outdoor Fun
The 2001 Ford Escape brings a confident new offering to the growing small sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. For the active lifestyles of the young or young at heart, Escape offers new levels of comfort, convenience and versatility to the toughness that comes with every Ford SUV.

Key attributes include:
 An all-new platform with unibody construction – light weight, nimble maneuverability, low stance for ease of entry and exit, and enhanced safety protection

 Low fuel consumption and low emissions vehicle (LEV) status

 A four-wheel independent suspension – offering refined ride and handling

 The most spacious interior in the small SUV class at 3790 litres providing versatility for carrying cargo and room to seat five adult passengers

 A DOHC 3.0-litre Duratec V-6 engine with 4 speed auto transmission

 All-new Control Trac IITM, Ford’s full-time 4x4 system with a switch to select "4x4 Lock" which sets the system into 50/50 torque split

 Up to 1600kg towing capacity – enough to pull jet skis or a small boat

 Four doors and rear liftgate with flip-up glass for access to a large, versatile cargo area

 Standard in-dash single-CD player for XLS. Standard center console mounted six stack CD for XLT

With unibody construction and the confidence of available go-anywhere four-wheel-drive capabilities, the new Ford Escape provides refined ride and handling, best-in-class interior spaciousness, good fuel economy and low emissions in a small, tough SUV. Versatile enough for the most active lifestyles and easily maneuverable in urban traffic, Escape is designed to appeal to a new and younger group of SUV consumers.

The Market
Ford’s newest sport utility vehicle marks the company’s expansion into the growing small SUV segment.

"Ford pioneered the modern American SUV market with the Explorer in 1991,“ explains Barbara Paley, Ford Escape Brand Manager. "The 2001 Escape provides an introduction of the newest member of the Ford SUV family to New Zealanders.

On sale at the end of March 2001, Escape joins the Ford New Zealand stable of brands under the new Ford Outfitters lineup of sport utility vehicles, the company's 'No Boundaries' promise for its SUV's.

Smaller than the world's best-selling four-door Ford Explorer, Escape is designed to appeal to younger buyers as well as the "young at heart" – drivers who want fun, agile, sporty, durable yet affordable and fuel-efficient transportation for their active lifestyles.

"We believe Escape will appeal to a wide variety of consumers, including those who have not owned an SUV before but now require the space and versatility that an SUV provides. They might not consider a larger SUV, so Escape will provide them with the perfect solution."

"Whether they are single, a couple, small families or empty nesters, Escape is designed to be an affordable and fun option that allows them to do all of the things that they enjoy, such as weekends away, skiing, camping and biking," said Ms Paley.

Design, Package and Ergonomics
Designed to combine Ford’s SUV Heritage with a refined sporty look, Escape has a confidently poised stance with aggressive wheel lips stamped in the sheet metal, wide body cladding and integrated bumper guards to give it an assured look of off-road readiness and functionality.

Escape’s interior package – the most spacious in the small SUV class at 3790 litres – is designed for maximum comfort, convenience, passenger roominess and cargo flexibility. Escape has room to carry five adults and their cargo comfortably.

Entering and exiting the vehicle is aided by the vehicle’s low sill height and wide door openings, with assist grips for both front and rear seat occupants.

All audio and air conditioning controls are located in the easy-to-reach and easy-to-read centre dash, which is oriented toward the driver for superior ergonomics. An in-dash, AM/FM stereo with single CD player is standard on the XLS. On the XLT Escape, there is a center console mounted six stack CD.

Escape will be sold in two trim levels. The XLS is the well-equipped base model with standard air conditioning, power locks and windows, anti-lock (ABS) brakes and 60/40 fold-flat rear seating. The XLT adds such features as a large center console, alloy wheels, AM/FM stereo with a center console mounted six stack CD, cruise control, cargo cover, cargo net, and power exterior mirrors.

Driving Dynamics
The new Ford Escape is a tough, rugged and versatile small SUV that combines maximum convenience and comfort with a unibody design for refined ride and handling. Its wide, firm stance is designed to communicate visual confidence.

Escape is designed with robust off-road capability with the sure-footedness of the all-new Control Trac IITM four-wheel-drive system. With a four-wheel independent suspension and fine-tuned rack-and-pinion steering, Escape is just as at home in the city because it is nimble and maneuverable in urban traffic.

Escape comes with a 3.0 litre Duratec V-6 engine with 4-speed automatic transmission. Escape has an impressive towing capacity of up to 1600kg – enough to pull a horse trailer, pair of jet skis, or a small speedboat.

Escape is certified to low emission vehicle (LEV) standards.

The new Control Trac IITM four-wheel-drive system provides the driver with full time automatic four-wheel drive with the ability to lock into a 50/50 torque split. The full time 4WD setting allows the vehicle to determine the torque split to the rear wheels, while the "4x4 Lock" setting splits the torque evenly between the front and rear drive wheels, enhancing performance when driving off-road or in other uncertain driving conditions.

Safety and Security
From the foundation of its unibody platform to its comprehensive list of safety features, Ford Escape has been designed with safety as a priority. Escape’s architecture has been carefully designed to channel the energy created in a frontal crash and spread it out over a larger area of the vehicle.

Typically, energy created in a crash is absorbed by a vehicle’s rail frame. For Escape, a front fender reinforcement helps to direct the energy load of a crash between the lower rail frame and an upper path that goes through the roof.

An energy-absorbing steering column also helps to absorb the impact of a crash. Escape also features energy-absorbing knee bolsters – located below the instrument panel – designed to reduce the risk of leg injuries for front seat occupants.

Standard side-intrusion high-tensile-steel door beams also help protect passengers in side impacts.

Seatbelt pretensioners combined with load-limiting retractors are standard on the front seat belts. In a crash, these devices automatically take up slack in the belts. The load limiter is designed to reduce the risk of chest injuries in severe collisions.

The Ford SecuriLockTM Passive Anti-Theft system is standard on all Escapes. The system uses a key containing an electronically encrypted transponder that is written to and read through a transceiver unit attached to the ignition key cylinder. Without the proper key, the vehicle cannot be started.

Powertrain

Vehicle Type
Compact Sport Utility Vehicle

Vehicle Dynamics
Body Structure: Unibody

Engine Type: 3.0L 24V DURATEC V-6
Displacement 2967 cc
Bore (in.) 89.0 mm
Stroke 79.5 mm
Compression Ratio 10.0:1

Power 150kW @ 5900 rpm
Torque 266nM @ 4700 rpm
Cylinders 60 degree V-6
Head Precision die-cast aluminum alloy
Block Aluminum alloy
Crankshaft Forged steel
Valve gear Double overhead camshafts (DOHC)
Included valve angle 50 degrees
Valve sizes 35 mm intake
30 mm exhaust
Camshaft drive Inverted tooth chain
"Silent chain"
Pistons Aluminum alloy
(hi-temp resistant)
Connecting rods Sinter-forged
Engine management Ford EEC-V electronic module
Injection Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection (SEFI)
Ignition Ford coil-on-plug
Emission controls Closed-coupled 3-way
Under-floor 3-way
Level ADR

Transmission
Type Ford CD4E 4-speed transaxle

Clutch (Torque converter) type Converter Lock-up Clutch
Ratios:
4th 0.698
3rd 1.000
2nd 1.571
1st 2.889
Reverse 2.310
Final Drive Ratio 3.776

Steering and Suspension

Steering:
Type Rack-and-pinion with power assistance
Turning diameter 10.8m (XLS)
11.2m (XLT)

Suspension:
Front Suspension MacPherson Strut with stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension Multi Link Independent Rear Suspension

Tires and wheels
Tire Type: P225/65R15
Size - inches 15
Wheel type Steel 5-spoke
Size - inches 15 x 6

Tire Type: P235/65R16
Size - inches 16
Wheel type Cast aluminum alloy 5-spoke
Size - inches 16 X 7

Brakes

Front Ventilated Disc
Rear Drum
Front disc diameter – mm 278
Rear drum diameter - mm 229
Antilock Braking System Standard
Electronic Brake Force Distribution Standard
Dimensions

Exterior Dimensions -mm
Overall Length 4415
Overall Width 1825
Overall Height 1775
Wheelbase 2620
Ground clearance 200
Track width (tread) front 1555
Track width (tread) rear 1550
Cargo floor to ground 644
Angle of approach - degree 28.5
Angle of departure – degree 22.0

Front Interior Dimensions - mm
Head room 1026
Shoulder room 1430
Hip room 1356
Leg room 1057

Rear Interior Dimensions - mm
Head room 997
Shoulder room 1420
Hip room 1244
Leg room 938

Cargo Dimensions*
Cargo Volume Seats Folded 1792 litres
Cargo Volume Seats Up 935 litres
Max cargo height - mm 1013
Max cargo width - mm 1335
Max cargo length - mm 1528
Width between wheelhouses - mm 1115

*Note on Cargo Dimensions: Data is based on SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standard: J1100 "Motor Vehicle Dimensions. "

Fuel Economy – AS2877 Test

Fuel tank - litre 61
Est. l per 100 km's. (motorway) 8
Est. l per 100 km's. (city) 13

Base Curb Weight

Kerb Weight (kg) 1510
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg) 1858

Safety Features

Air Bags Standard dual front air bags

Restraint systems
Front seat belts Manual 3-point shoulder belt system with pretensioners combined with load-limiting retractors
BeltMinder™ front driver seat

Rear seat belts Manual 3-point shoulder belt system rear outboard seats, lap belt rear center seat
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system in outboard seat locations

Security Ford SecuriLock™ Passive Theft system

Trailer Towing

Towing
Towing Capacity 1600kg

Standard Equipment

XLS Series Standard Equipment:
 A DOHC3.0-litre 150kW Duratec V-6 engine
 4 speed CD4E auto transmission
 Control Trac 4WD System Fulltime four wheel drive
 Four channel Anti-lock (ABS) Brakes with Electronic Brake Force (EBD) distribution
 Front Disc and Rear Drum Brakes
 Dual front airbags
 MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
 Independent Rear Suspension
 15" Styled Steel Wheels
 Liftgate w/Flip-up Glass
 Rear Window Defrost & Two-Speed Wiper
 Air Conditioning
 AM/FM Stereo w/Single CD
 Power Windows and Locks
 Steering Column Tilt
 Remote Keyless Entry
 Body Cladding
 Roof Rack with two Crossbars
 Illuminated Entry and Accessory Delay
 White-Faced Instrument Dials
 Front Variable-Speed Wipers
 Cloth/Vinyl Bucket Front Seats
 Center Console w/Five Cup Holders
 Tip/Fold-Flat Rear Bench Seat w/Dual Headrests
 Rear Area Cargo Light
 Side Intrusion Door Beams
 SecuriLock™ Immobilizer
 Rear Cargo Area Auxiliary Powerpoint
 Reclining 60/40 Split-Bench Rear Seat

XLT Series Standard Equipment:
All XLS Standard Equipment Plus...
 Cargo area retractable cover
 Cargo net
 Perimeter alarm
 Cruise control
 16" Alloy Wheels
 Premium Cloth Seats
 AM/FM Cassette with center console mounted six stack CD
 Fog Lamps
 Power Exterior Mirrors

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