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| 2013 Ford Escape |
By Stephanie Kriebel Ford keeps Kuga, launched only in 2008 when not a facelift. Instead, there's at the LA Auto Show 2011 look identical to the second generation. The reason: the future, Kuga - or escape, as he says in the mother country - the "One Ford" strategy followed to be a world car. Separate models for Europe and the U.S. are no longer being considered in order to save costs. The Americans must leave, therefore, from the known edge design and make friends with the new, rounded shapes. Europeans are already familiar with this look, so changes in this respect not much for us. Given how closely the Kuga is based on the 2011 Detroit study Vertrek.
Overview: The Stars of the LA Auto Show 2011
The new Kuga wants some extra points with a number of nice amenities. These include an automatic opening tailgate with motion sensor, a parking aid and a Blind Spot Assist. The sill has been lowered, the cargo volume increased. It now holds at least 1.9 cubic meters. The towing capacity is about 1590 pounds. For the first time aboard the systems are Sync and MyFord Touch. Synchronize different media and communication devices in the car and make it operate by voice command. The driver can, for example, the navigation system ask for a route calculation, or instruct the phone to dial a specific number.
The new Kuga wants some extra points with a number of nice amenities. These include an automatic opening tailgate with motion sensor, a parking aid and a Blind Spot Assist. The sill has been lowered, the cargo volume increased. It now holds at least 1.9 cubic meters. The towing capacity is about 1590 pounds. For the first time aboard the systems are Sync and MyFord Touch. Synchronize different media and communication devices in the car and make it operate by voice command. The driver can, for example, the navigation system ask for a route calculation, or instruct the phone to dial a specific number.
Overview: News and tests at Ford
Motor side, there are no surprises. The known 1,6 - and two-liter diesel remain in the program, at the request of the Escape / Kuga but can now also be equipped with the EcoBoost engines. Both 1.6-liter units combine gasoline direct injection and turbocharging with variable valve timing and are intended to provide driving pleasure with a moderate fuel consumption. The improved aerodynamics and the variable intake air coolers are dedicated to lowering fuel consumption. The electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system controls the distribution of torque to the wheels and is supposed to ensure that the force is optimally implemented. All engines are mated to a six-speed select-shift automatic transmission. 2012, the Escape coming to the U.S. market.
