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Ford Updates Escape Hybrid with E85 Compatibility

Escape gets Facelift at Melbourne, and Escape Hybrid gets Ethanol Capability in Chicago

The only thing that could possibly be greener than the Ford Escape E85 Hybrid is the fuzzy green Muppet, Kermit the Frog, the Escape Hybrids new "spokesperson" who presented it together with Earvin Magic Johnson at its debut last week in Chicago. The Escape Hybrid has been in the limelight for quite some time now, being the first hybrid vehicle to be produced by a North American automaker

Green frog meets extra-green car at Chicago Auto Show. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

as well as the first hybrid SUV, and its been bumped back into the headlines by being the worlds first production vehicle to mate the benefits of a hybrid-electric drivetrain and ethanol flexible fuel technology.
Where some automakers

E85 fuel alleviates American dependancy on foreign oil. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

pursue ethanol for its performance-enhancing properties, such as Saab and its BioPower models and concept, the Escape turns to ethanol for a different reason. E85, a fuel comprised of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, is a much more environmentally friendly fuel than regular unleaded which is generally 10 percent ethanol by volume. The ethanol

No different to drive than the regular Escape Hybrid, but for the 25 percent emissions reduction. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

used in E85 is grown from corn and other crops, and is considered to be carbon-neutral as the crops used to grow it remove the same amount of CO₂ from the atmosphere as when it is burned.

On the surface, it seems as if the E85 Escape Hybrid isnt any better than the standard Escape Hybrid. It operates just like the standard Escape Hybrid, with no difference in performance, noise, or fuel consumption. Instead, the difference

Overseas, the Escape gets worked over with a fine tooth comb. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

lies in the E85s tailpipe emissions rating, which is some 25 percent less caustic than an already relatively green gasoline-powered Escape Hybrid, making it the worlds cleanest and most fuel-efficient compact SUV. And in areas where E85 isnt readily available, the Escape Hybrid E85 can run on any combination of gasoline and ethanol. It does not require a separate tank; the onboard computer automatically adjusts combustion to the fuel that is used.

On the other side of the globe, at the same time no less, Ford of Asia unveiled a facelift for its Escape at the Melbourne

Similar changes have been made to Mazdas Asian-market Tribute. (Photo: Mazda U.S.A.)

International Motor Show alongside its local-market Territory crossover SUV. The facelifted Escape (or Maverick in other markets) features Fords new three-bar chrome-plated grille, new twin-beam headlamps with wider lenses as well as a new hood. Also new are front and rear valances which feature painted skidplate protection, LED taillamps, recessed foglamps and mirror-mounted turn signal lamps.

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