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The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid.
Photo courtesy Ford Motor CompanyHybrid vehicles provide unmatched fuel efficiency by integrating a high-performance gasoline engine with an electric motor and batteries that recharge continuously. Before 2005, most hybrids were compact, lacking significant horsepower or storage capacity. The Ford Escape Hybrid revolutionized this trend.
The Escape Hybrid, an SUV, achieves up to 36 miles per gallon. While it may not match the extreme efficiency of some hybrids, it significantly reduces fuel expenses for the average family of four at the gas pump.
In this article, we’ll explore Ford’s innovative, patented hybrid powertrain, examine the performance of the Escape Hybrid, and discover why this vehicle could mark a significant milestone for hybrids in the automotive industry.
A hybrid car combines the strengths of gasoline-powered combustion engines and electric motors while addressing the drawbacks of each. For gasoline vehicles, issues like noise, high fuel costs, and harmful emissions are common. Meanwhile, electric cars face challenges such as limited battery life and the necessity of recharging via an external power source.
A hybrid vehicle features both a combustion engine and an electric motor that operate either simultaneously or independently, depending on the hybrid type. The illustration below depicts a parallel hybrid, where both the gasoline engine and the motor can drive the vehicle.
A hybrid car eliminates the need for plug-in recharging—every time you brake, some of that energy is captured and stored in the batteries. If the battery levels drop too low, the vehicle can switch to gas power, allowing the combustion engine to recharge the batteries.
For a comprehensive and detailed breakdown of how hybrid vehicles function, refer to How Hybrid Cars Work.
Next, let’s dive into the details of the Ford Escape Hybrid.
Ford chose not to create an entirely new vehicle for their initial hybrid venture. Instead, they took a reliable model, the four-cylinder Ford Escape, and dedicated five years and 100 engineers (Car and Driver, Dec. 2004) to develop a hybrid powertrain for it. The Escape maintains its identity as a compact SUV, known for its decent fuel efficiency even without hybrid technology, achieving 25 mpg on the highway.
What changes did the engineers make to transform the Escape? Visually, very little. Apart from a subtle "Hybrid" badge on the door, a modified dashboard gauge, and a rear vent for battery cooling, the Escape Hybrid is nearly indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterpart.
Photo courtesy Ford Motor CompanyThis was intentional. Ford invested significant time in developing the Escape Hybrid to ensure it performs like a traditional SUV. No specialized knowledge is required to drive it, and the electric motor and batteries are designed to last the vehicle’s lifetime without maintenance. There’s no battery charge indicator because drivers aren’t meant to concern themselves with it. The hybrid system operates seamlessly, making the Escape Hybrid essentially an SUV with exceptional fuel efficiency and minimal emissions. This ease of use for the average consumer is what makes the Escape Hybrid a potential game-changer in the U.S. automotive market.
Now, let’s delve into the intricate components—nuts, bolts, wires, and batteries—that power the Ford Escape Hybrid.
The Ford Escape's Full Hybrid System
The Escape Hybrid seamlessly integrates full hybrid technology into the conventional Escape SUV framework.
Photo courtesy Ford Motor CompanyEvery hybrid vehicle relies on dual power sources—a gasoline engine and an electric motor. These can function in various configurations. In "mild" hybrid setups, the gasoline engine remains active at all times, with the electric motor providing occasional boosts in horsepower to enhance fuel efficiency. However, Ford has implemented a full hybrid system in the Escape.
In a full hybrid system, the gasoline engine and electric motor can operate independently or simultaneously. The Escape’s hybrid system functions across four distinct phases:
- Start/Stop - Upon turning the ignition key in the Escape Hybrid, the electric motor activates, subsequently starting the gasoline engine. The vehicle conducts a series of checks to determine if it can operate solely on electric power: it verifies battery charge levels, operating temperatures, and interior climate control settings (since maximum air conditioning requires the gasoline engine). If conditions are met, the engine shuts off, allowing the car to run on electric power alone. This transition happens in just a second or two. When the vehicle comes to a stop, the gasoline engine turns off, and the car relies entirely on electric power, such as at stoplights or drive-thrus. Ford worked extensively to ensure smooth engine transitions, though testers noted a slight shudder during on-off cycles, a common trait in hybrid vehicles.
- Electric Drive - The Escape Hybrid accelerates from a stop using electric power. Electric motors excel at producing torque at lower RPMs, making them ideal for this purpose. The gasoline engine reactivates at around 25 mph. In heavy city traffic, the vehicle can operate solely on electric power all day. The electric motor and gasoline engine work together up to highway speeds.
- Regenerative Braking - When braking, a hybrid car captures some of the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost as heat. Using the electric motor as a generator, this energy recharges the batteries. This is why hybrids achieve better mileage in city driving than on highways. Smooth, gradual stops maximize regenerative braking, while abrupt braking engages the anti-lock braking system, wasting energy.
- Electric Assisted Cruising - At highway speeds (50 to 70 mph or 80 to 110 kph), the gasoline engine handles most of the workload, operating most efficiently in this range. However, the Escape Hybrid’s small four-cylinder engine occasionally needs assistance, such as during passing. In these instances, the electric motor provides additional horsepower.
The Escape Hybrid, like other hybrids, replaces the traditional transmission with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT). On-board computers adjust the gearing for optimal fuel efficiency, resulting in a 30 percent improvement over conventional transmissions, according to Ford engineers.
Next, we’ll analyze the numbers to see how the Escape Hybrid performs.
The Hybrid offers around $3,800 in additional options, such as leather seats, enhanced safety features, a 110-volt power outlet, an "appearance package," and a GPS navigation system.
- Escape FWD 4-cyl. - $19,995
- Escape AWD 4-cyl. - $23,235
- Escape AWD 6-cyl. - $27,145
- Escape Hybrid FWD - $26,970
- Escape Hybrid AWD - $28,595
Ford Escape Hybrid Specs
To enhance the gasoline engine's efficiency, Ford opted for a four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine in the Escape Hybrid. Atkinson engines are more fuel-efficient than traditional Otto-cycle engines, though they sacrifice some horsepower. For more details on the Atkinson cycle, refer to Lindsay Publications: Atkinson Cycle Engine.
The Escape Hybrid features a 2.3-liter, aluminum, four-cylinder, dual overhead cam engine producing 133 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Its three-phase, permanent-magnet, synchronous electric motor contributes an additional 94 horsepower within the 3,000-5,000 rpm range. The gasoline engine alone delivers 129 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. (For context, the non-hybrid Escape’s four-cylinder engine generates 153 hp at 5,800 rpm and 152 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm.)
The AWD Escape Hybrid weighs 3,893 lbs (1,766 kg), with hybrid components adding approximately 500 pounds (230 kg) to its weight. With a wheelbase of 103.1 inches (261.9 cm) and 8 inches (20 cm) of ground clearance, it remains a compact SUV. It rides on Continental ContiTrac EcoPlus tires, including the spare, and has a 15-gallon fuel tank.
As reported by Car and Driver magazine (Dec. 2004), the fully equipped AWD Escape Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 10.8 seconds, reaches a top speed of 102 mph (164 kph), and comes to a complete stop from 70 mph (113 kph) in 195 feet (60 meters).
For potential hybrid buyers, fuel mileage is a critical factor. While the Escape Hybrid doesn’t match the 50 mpg or higher figures of compact hybrids, Ford rates it at 35 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Various tests (USAToday, 5/13/04; Motor Trend, Aug. 2004) suggest real-world numbers may be slightly lower, but the Escape Hybrid still achieves a 20 to 25 percent improvement in fuel economy over the non-hybrid Escape and a significant advantage over larger SUVs averaging around 10 mpg.
The Ford Escape Hybrid is available in both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations. The EPA rates the FWD version at 33 mpg in the city and 31 to 36 mpg on the highway, while the AWD version achieves 33 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. With these figures, a single tank of gas can provide a driving range of 400 to 500 miles (650 to 800 km).
Head to the next section to explore the driving experience of the Escape Hybrid.
Combustion engines are inefficient when accelerating a heavy vehicle from a stop to higher speeds, consuming significant fuel. In city driving, this happens frequently, every few blocks. As a result, gasoline-powered cars achieve better mileage on highways with fewer stops. Hybrids, however, can operate on electric power at low speeds, avoiding fuel consumption during stops and starts. Additionally, each stop recharges the battery. This is why hybrids perform better in city driving than on highways, where the combustion engine dominates.
Driving a Ford Escape Hybrid
Escape Hybrid cockpit
Photo courtesy Ford Motor CompanyDriving the Escape Hybrid feels largely similar to operating a non-hybrid Escape or any other compact SUV. Ford made significant efforts to ensure the hybrid experience is seamless, so you might not even notice it’s a hybrid unless informed.
However, there are a few unique characteristics on the road, such as the slight shudder when the gasoline engine activates. The regenerative braking system also offers a distinct feel, as speed reduction differs from traditional disc brakes—this becomes noticeable during abrupt stops when the standard brakes engage.
On the positive side, the transmission enhances the driving experience. The electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) not only boosts fuel efficiency but also delivers a smoother ride, eliminating the abrupt jolts typically felt during gear shifts.
The rear seats can be folded down to provide up to 65.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Photo courtesy Ford Motor Company Photo courtesy Ford Motor Company
The rear seats can be folded down to provide up to 65.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Photo courtesy Ford Motor Company Photo courtesy Ford Motor CompanyThe dashboard remains largely unchanged, except for the tachometer, which includes a sub-zero reading to indicate when the engine is off and the vehicle is running solely on electric power. If equipped with the navigation system, the display screen also features a hybrid power flow graphic.
One might assume the batteries required to power a compact SUV would occupy most of the cargo area. However, the Escape Hybrid’s 250 D-size nickel-metal hydride cells, connected in series, are positioned flat beneath the rear cargo space.
The cargo area in the Escape Hybrid is slightly smaller than in the non-hybrid version, but only by a few inches. The passenger and driver space remains unaffected.
As Ford’s first venture into creating a practical hybrid SUV, the Escape Hybrid is a remarkable engineering achievement. It is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in terms of fuel consumption compared to other SUVs on the market. While it doesn’t match the Toyota Prius’s 60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway ratings, it may have a greater long-term environmental impact. By designing a hybrid for the average family, which often requires more space for comfort, Ford could pave the way for millions of hybrids in American households within a decade.
For additional details on the Ford Escape Hybrid and related topics, explore the links provided on the following page.
