Breaking free with the new Ford Escape 2.3 L
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
It was a hot, sunny day when I drove the new Ford Escape 2.3L out of the Indomobil compound in Cawang, East Jakarta, for a test drive offered by PT Ford Motor Indonesia for a couple of days.
The Ford Escape's air-conditioning system has been improved, so cool air quickly filled the cabin as soon as I turned on the air-con. Nice start.
The new 2.3-liter power pack under the hood also has relatively good noise and vibration reduction systems calming the sound of busy traffic outside.
The latest model of the Escape comes with the new 2,300 cc Duratec HE inline-4 engine employing variable inertia-charging systems (VICS), unleashing maximum power of 157 horsepower (hp) at 6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 198 Newton-meters (Nm) of maximum torque at 4,500 rpm.
The engine is claimed to have superior torque delivery and fuel efficiency at all speeds.
The engine is also fitted with tumble swirl control valves that are closed during light load operation, to maximize combustion efficiency, fuel economy and emissions.
The Escape delivered what had been promised when I tried to cruise along the empty toll road leading to Bintaro in South Jakarta.
I could feel the power directly as soon as I stepped on the accelerator, although with the automatic transmission, it was not as spontaneous as a manual vehicle can be.
While in congested traffic leading to Depok, the handling was simple and easy for a car that is 4.4 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and 1.7 meters high. With a ground clearance of 20 centimeters, the Ford Escape can easily navigate even the worst road conditions with ease.
Officially launched on Aug. 19, the Ford Escape 2.3L is the latest variant of this SUV after the Escape 3.0L XLT 4x2 and Escape 3.0L XLT 4x4 launched in October 2002 and the smaller Escape 2.0L released in May 2003.
"The introduction of the new Ford Escape 2004 line-up reflects our long-term commitment to continuous innovation in developing products that are competitive and responsive to our customers' ever-changing demands and trends," president director of PT FMI Will Angove said during the launching ceremony in Bukit Sentul, south of Jakarta.
"We are confident that our customers in Indonesia will warmly welcome the competitive offerings that the new 2.3L engine has - mainly, its proven ability to deliver excellent power and fuel efficiency," added Will.
Last year, the Ford Escape was the best-selling compact SUV in the U.S.
The new Ford Escape 2.3L has undergone exterior changes to give it an elegant appearance, as displayed by its one-tone painted bumper and body side cladding. Earlier models of the Escape had a dual-tone color scheme with the bumper painted black.
Offered at Rp 250 million (US$27,100), customers can choose from five color schemes: infra-red metallic, honor green metallic, machine silver metallic, medium harvest gold and panther black metallic.
As for safety, driver and front-seat passenger are protected by front and side supplemental restraining system (SRS) airbags with head protection.
Additional safety features include four-wheel, antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD), seatbelt pretension and load-limiter.
The U.S. New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) awarded the Ford Escape the best safety rating in the small SUV segment.
Possible competitors to the Ford Escape are the Chevrolet Blazer, Honda CRV, KIA Sportage, Nissan Terrano, Nissan X-Trail and Suzuki Grand Escudo.
Enthusiasts can view the new Ford Escape model range at the Jakarta Motor Show, currently on at Jakarta Convention Center.
PT FMI is also introducing at the show its automatic- transmission version of two Ford Ranger models.
The Ford Ranger Hurricane is on offer at Rp 291.9 million, while the Ford Ranger double cabin is tagged at Rp 266.7 million. Both models are available in black mica, dusk green, medium blue, metallic silver, red, titanium gray and white.