Ford to Debut All-New 2013 Escape with 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter EcoBoost Engines at LA Auto Show

The rapidly approaching 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show that takes place for the public from November 18 to 27, will play host to the world premiere of the next global Ford model, the all-new 2013 Escape.

As is the case with the current Fiesta and Focus, the compact SUV will be offered in the same form worldwide, replacing the current North American Escape as well as the Kuga in Europe and other markets around the globe.

Ford gave us a preview of the 2013 Escape with the Vetrek concept study at this year's Detroit Motor Show in January. Aside from the presentation date, Ford also revealed details about the SUV's powertrain options.

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Ford Vertrek Concept Live from Detroit [Photos and Video]

Unveiled at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the Vertrek Concept previews Ford’s next global compact SUV, set to replace both the European Kuga and North American Escape models. While it’s not so different compared to the Kuga, the concept car is certainly more modern than the current Ford Escape.

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Ford Vertrek Concept Previews Next Escape and Kuga SUVs

These are the first official photos of Ford's Detroit Show-bound Vertrek concept study, which previews a common replacement for the European market Kuga crossover and the North American Escape SUV.

The compact-sized model is based on the underpinnings of the Focus hatch and is powered by Ford's 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine featuring start and stop technology for improved fuel efficiency.

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Ford to Unveil New Concept Model for Kuga and Escape Successors at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show

Ford is gearing up for next year’s Detroit Motor Show with an almost production-ready concept version previewing a common replacement for the European market Kuga crossover and the North American Escape SUV. According to an inside source talking to Automotive News Europe, the new compact-sized crossover model will go into production in the second half of 2012 as a 2013 model.

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Ford Announces New 2.0 Turbo Engine with 203HP for Mondeo and 163HP Diesel for Kuga SUV

Along with the Euro-spec 2011 Focus, the final versions of the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX which go on sale in Europe this year and some updates to the optional equipment of the recently revealed S-MAX and Galaxy facelift, Ford will also unveil the 2010 model year Mondeo and Kuga with powetrain and transmission enhancements at the Geneva Show.

Ford didn't clarify in its press release if the new Kuga and Mondeo also benefit from any cosmetic changes of the same subtle nature as those on the S-MAX and Galaxy (the Mondeo pictured above is an '09MY), but here's what the company had to say about the upgrades under the hood.

Starting with the Mondeo, the firm's European competitor in the mid-size saloon and estate segment gains the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost SCTi gasoline engine with an output of 203HP and a new version of the 2.0-liter TDCi diesel with 163HP, while the 115HP and 140HP variants of the same diesel have been improved.

Furthermore, Ford's Powershift six-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission is fitted as standard with the 2.0-litre EcoBoost gasoline engine and optionally available for the 140HP and 163HP Duratorq TDCi diesel engines.

Together with this transmission, the new Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 163HP delivers a combined fuel economy of 5.6 lt/100km, equal to 42 mpg US and 50.4 mpg UK.

The same 163HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel as well as the six-speed dual clutch transmission also make their way into the Kuga crossover.

With the 163HP diesel engine, the Kuga accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 9.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 195 km/h or 121mph while achieving a CO2 output of 159g/km in the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) models with manual transmission.

Ford Announces U.K pricing for New Kuga 2.0 FWD and 2.5 Turbo

Ford is expanding the range of its European market crossover, the Kuga, with the addition of a 2.0-litre TDCi 2WD (diesel) and a 2.5-liter Turbo gasoline engine. Retaining the existing Kuga's 136HP 2.0-litre diesel unit but with a CO2 output of just 159g/km, the new front-wheel-drive version delivers both enhanced fuel economy (46.1 UK mpg for the 2WD vs 44.1 UK mpg for the AWD) and cost benefits from the legislation changes in the U.K. in April next year.

Priced from £18,595.64, the Kuga 2WD will especially benefit business customers who will be eligible for a 20 percent write down allowance against Corporation Tax for a car with less than 160g/km CO2 (compared with 10 per cent over 160g/km). Private buyers will also profit from the model's improved fuel economy as it falls into the new sub-160g/km banding for Vehicle Excise Duty.

The new performance flagship model for the Kuga range, pairs AWD with the a detuned version of the Focus ST's 2.5-litre Turbo engine. With an output of 200HP and torque of 320Nm (between 1,600 and 4,000rpm) the five-cylinder petrol-engined Kuga powers from standstill to 62mph in 8.2sec and on to a top speed of 129mph when mated with the six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic transmission is alternatively available with this engine. U.K. market prices for the Kuga 2.5T begin from £23,788.30.

FORD KUGA ZETEC

2.0l Duratorq (136PS) TDCi, 2WD - £18,595.64

2.0l Duratorq (136PS) TDCi, AWD - £20,460.64

FORD KUGA TITANIUM

2.0l Duratorq (136PS) TDCi, 2WD - £20,553.09

2.0l Duratorq (136PS) TDCi, AWD - £22,418.09

2.5 Duratec 6-spd manual (200PS) AWD - £23,788.30

2.5 Duratec 5-spd auto (200PS) AWD - £24,962.77

Ford Kuga 2.5 Turbo Individual to Premiere in Paris

While Ford’s people here in the U.S. are fooling around with the all-important big-hog daddy F-450, their German counterparts are getting ready to present a new model in the Kuga range equipped with a 200HP 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine matted to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the new powertrain options, the Paris Show Kuga 2.5 Turbo will also mark the debut Ford of Europe’s Individual vehicle customization program combining a new exterior body kit and 20-inch alloy wheels with new interior treatment options. -Continued

The rather aggressive, but quite tasteful aero kit was inspired from the styling of the iosis X Concept and Kuga preview show cars. The package consists of body colored wheel arch extensions, lower rocker claddings, and new bumpers which have been extended some 50 mm lower than the original design along with new chromed front grilles.

Other components include front and rear skid plates as well as door claddings, all painted in a contrasting silver color, and a new rear spoiler that has been lengthened by around 100 mm. The exterior styling is complemented by massive 20-inch wheels fitted with 255/35 ZR 20 tires. All of these body kit features are due to be made available to Kuga customers as production items in the first half of 2009.

The Paris Show Kuga 2.5 Turbo’s interior that also serves as a preview of what will be available to customers early next year, is fitted with dark leather seats that combine two different sets of materials - a softer Ebony colored Nappa leather for the seat bolsters and seatbacks and a more a more heavily grained 'Bond' leather for the rest of the seat. Both leathers are distinguished from each other by the use of a contrasting light grey piping.

Additionally, the Paris preview vehicle also features interior trim parts such as the center console cladding, center stack surfaces and the door-pull handles finished in a high-gloss 'Piano White' finish that supposedly matches the crossover's exterior color and seat-stitching. Our opinion is that we could have done without the glossy white accesories, but overall, the Kuga 2.5 Turbo Individual definetely looks the part. Too bad we won’t be getting to see it any time soon here in the States.

Ford to Present Bodykit and Bespoke Interior Treatment for Kuga at Paris

Following in the footsteps of the Mondeo, S-MAX, Galaxy and Fiesta, Ford will launch a new Individual interior treatment as well as a new a distinctive bodykit for the new Kuga at the Paris Motor Show next month. Ford’s new styling programme will be showcased on the all-new Kuga 2.5 Turbo 200PS (see details here). For the interior, Ford’s Individual Design team has developed a completely new color scheme, and combined it with more premium quality materials, with contrasting colors and textures. -Continued

In particular, the seats combine ebony colored Nappa leather with a more heavily grained 'Bond' leather. The two different leathers are distinguished from each other by the use of a contrasting light grey piping. For the Paris show vehicle, all prominent interior trim parts such as the centre console cladding, centre stack surfaces and the boomerang-shaped interior door-pull handles are finished in a high-gloss 'Piano White' finish.

As for the exterior enhancements, the styling kit consists of body coloured wheel arch extensions, lower rocker claddings, a larger rear spoiler, a new grille and restyled bumpers which have been extended some 50 millimetres lower than the original design. The kit is complemented by new 20-inch alloy wheels fitted with 255/35 ZR 20 tires. All of the items featured on the Kuga Paris show vehicle will be made available to customers as production items in the first half of 2009.

Ford Kuga SUV gets new 200HP 2.5-liter Turbo Petrol Engine

When Ford launched the new Kuga compact SUV/Crossover in Europe during May 2008, the only available engine was the 136 HP 2.0-litre TDCi diesel unit. That will change in early 2009 as Ford will extend the Kuga range with the availability of a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbo petrol engine found in the Focus ST as well as in the new Mondeo and S-Max models. Ford recalibrated the 2.5L unit for the Kuga as it now develops a maximum output of 200 HP (versus the Focus ST’s 225HP) at 6,000 rpm and a linear torque peak of 320 Nm available from 1,600 up to 4,000. -Continued

Gunnar Herrmann, C-Car Vehicle Line Director of Ford of Europe said, “We always intended the new Kuga to be the most dynamic crossover vehicle in its class. The new 2.5-litre Duratec Turbo petrol powertrain offers extra performance and is a perfect match for the vehicle. The added power and refinement adds a lot of fun when driving Kuga both on- and off-road.”

The Kuga 2.5 Turbo comes with a Haldex Gen 4 Intelligent AWD system and a manual 6-speed transmission as standard, but buyers will be able to opt for Durashift 5-tronic automatic transmission. With the manual gearbox the Kuga 2.5T can reach a top speed of 208 km/h (129mph) while achieving a combined fuel economy of 9.9 lt/100 km (23.8 mpg US) with an average CO2 output of 234 g/km. As for the automatic version, it can go up to 202 km/h (126mph) with the combined fuel economy being homologated at 10.3 lt/100 km (22.8mpg US) with an average CO2 output of 244 g/km.

More details of the Kuga 2.5 Turbo will be released during the vehicle's public debut at the Paris Show in October.

Ford Kuga Tuned by Wolf Racing

German tuning firm Wolf Racing has introduced a new sport package for the European Ford Kuga that includes a power kit for €795 that increases output of the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine from 136 HP to 158 HP. Wolf Racing also offers 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 275/30 R20 Pirelli tires at a cost of €2,850 in Germany that can be combined with a set of sport springs for €199 that bring the compact SUV 20mm lower to the ground. -Continued


Via: Diariomotor