(autoinsidernews) - Ford unveiled its redesigned 2008 Ford Escape this morning ahead of the official unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Ford's compact SUV features a restyled exterior and completely new interior. The exterior has been restyled for a much cleaner look. The new front end has strong family resemblance to its larger Explorer and Expedition siblings, but passes on Ford's corporate three bar grille. The 2008 Escape features more Ford Truck Tough design cues, including a higher beltline, a raised, more prominent hood and Edge/Expedition inspired headlights, reports Trend.
The goal from the beginning was to make Escape look even stronger and tougher than the original, says Doyle Letson, chief designer for the 2008 Escape. We raised the beltline to give the profile a strong, modern proportion of sheetmetal to glass. Then, we sculpted the surfaces for a more Ford Tough Truck appearance, making Escape fit nicely in line with Explorer.
The all-new interior features more upscale appointments, improved comfort and quietness, and other touches, like a standard iPod jack. The Escape's interior also features the Ford brand's first use of the automaker's Ice Blue interior lighting and top of dash display that puts information like ambient temp, climate control settings and radio functions at eye level.
The 2008 Escape is powered by a standard 2.3L four-cylinder with 153-hp and and 152 lb.-ft. of torque, which is mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The available 3.0L V6 Duratec delivers 200-hp and 193 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a four-speed automatic. Ford Escape Hybrid continues to be a full hybrid. This means that, unlike other mild hybrid vehicles, Escape Hybrid can run on 100 percent electric power up to about 25 mph.
The Escape Hybrid's is powered by a 2.3L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine with 133-hp and 124 lb.-ft. of torque combined with a 70 kw electric motor. The net result is 155-hp, but with 0-60 performance comparable to the V6 and a boost in city-driving fuel economy of nearly 75 percent. Escape Hybrids are equipped with a smooth-shifting, electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Ford Escape Hybrid continues to be a full hybrid. This means that, unlike other mild hybrid vehicles, Escape Hybrid can run on 100 percent electric power up to about 30 mph, maximizing in-city fuel economy.