2011 Ford Escape

What's next for the 2011 Ford Escape

Few vehicles undergo the sort of transformation that awaits the Ford Escape with its model-year 2012 redesign. Ditching blueprints drawn up in the 1990s, the 2012 Escape will move to a structure being prepared for the next-generation Ford Kuga crossover SUV. That guarantees myriad advances over the outgoing Escape -- and promises improvements over the outgoing Kuga, itself considered a top Euro-crossover since going on sale during 2008.

Expect dramatic new sheet metal from Ford’s Euro-contemporary “kinetic” school of design. The 2012 Escape will have a precision-cut character to its exterior lines and should look and feel more upscale inside. Road manners will improve thanks to adoption of updated architecture that Ford is readying for its global armada of “C-class” vehicles.

“C-class” is a term long used overseas to describe a vehicle-size category. The term is coming into vogue in the U.S. as carmakers increasingly spread development and engineering costs by using a single basic platform design to serve international markets. A-class cars are tiny two-seat urban runabouts. D- and E-class vehicles are mid- to-full-size models. C-class identifies the compact-car field that includes such familiar names as the Honda Accord and the Ford Focus. Indeed, the 2012 Escape will share its platform with the redesigned, global 2012 Focus. Early reports say this next-generation Escape will be slightly smaller than today’s model but should have more usable interior space and a far more sophisticated suspension system.

Under its curvaceous new hood, the 2012 Escape is expected to offer the latest in direct-injection power, with a four-cylinder engine a certainty along with front- and all-wheel drive. Subject to speculation is whether Ford also will offer the next-generation Escape with a V-6 or conclude that a variety of naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines can do the job more efficiently. More certain is that Ford is developing a next-generation Escape hybrid that would have plug-in capability. This would allow the batteries to be charged from the general power grid as well as the on-board system and thus further decrease the vehicle’s reliance on gasoline.

The next-generation Escape will continue to be built in the U.S. and will again share its platform with the Mercury Mariner. Some reports also say the Mazda Tribute will also upgrade to the new platform.

2011 Ford Escape Release Date

The 2011 Ford Escape should be in showrooms by autumn 2010.