Ford Australia preparing to launch Escape Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) in the coming months, after nearly two years of delay.
CarExpert spoke to a Ford Australia representative who confirmed that the plug-in SUV is still on track to arrive in the second quarter of 2022, although we could see an update on pricing and specs. of the car when it finally debuted Down Under.
“We are monitoring the arrival of the Escape PHEV in Q2 – and look forward to sharing more details soon,” a Ford Australia spokesperson said.
“We will confirm full specifications and pricing at the time of vehicle arrival.”
Originally slated to arrive to a wider range in the second half of 2020, the Ford Escape PHEV has previously been detailed and priced in ST-Line guise, although the vehicle has not yet landed and has been on multiple occasions. delayed since then.
Ford Australia most recently indicated that the ST-Line will be priced from $53,440 plus MY22-spec . on-road costs. Likely because Ford and other brands have seen late price increases, the Escape PHEV could arrive at a higher price than originally promised.
When asked about the prospect of more model variants becoming available with the PHEV powertrain option, Ford replied: “We trust the Escape ST-Line PHEV to strike the right balance of features for Australian customers and there are no plans for any other electrified variants. share at this stage”.
There are also no plans to expand the Escape’s electrified offering beyond the PHEV variant at this stage, although there is a Escape / Kuga Hybrid offered abroad will line up as an attractive competitor to Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
The power in the Ford Escape PHEV comes from a 2.5 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine combined with a CVT continuously variable automatic transmission as well as a lithium-ion battery and electric motor. PHEV will be for FWD only.
System power output is quoted at 165kWwhen 14.4kWh provide lithium-ion battery pack 50-55 kilometers in the zero-emissions range. According to UK specifications, the battery charges in 3 hours with a Category 2 cable or 6 hours when using a UK 3-pin home outlet.
The Escape PHEV will be one of Ford’s two electrified models to launch in 2022, the other being e-Transit Electric trucks are expected to arrive around the middle of the year.
Escape plug-in’s main competitors include the new generation Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVthe MG HS Plus EV, Peugeot 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid, Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybridas well as coming Cupra Formentor VZe plug-in hybrid.
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In the photo: F-150 Lightning, e-Transit, Mustang Mach-E
Ford Australia has said it plans to launch “at least five electric vehicles by the end of 2024”, though declined to go into details.
The company’s European division only announced seven new EVs for the region this morning, including an all-electric version of Pumaas well as two unnamed electric crossovers – both based on the Volkswagen MEB platform, likely related to the VW ID.4 and ID.5.
Elsewhere in the world there are the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles, and neither of them so far are seen as future departures for the Australian range.
There is a brand new plug-in hybrid version forest ranger Dual taxis are also in the works, and we’d be surprised if that didn’t make the trip Down Under.
Stay tuned CarExpert for all the latest information and let us know what you think in the comments.
THAN: Everything Ford Escape
