Breaking free with the new Ford Escape 2.3 L
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.