2001 Ford Escape: Driving Dynamics
11 January 2000
2001 Ford Escape: Driving Dynamics DETROIT, Jan. 11 -- "Escape customers want total mobility and
total agility when they play. But they also must balance those desires with
their need for a refined commuter vehicle to drive in style and comfort
throughout the work week. Escape is designed to provide both: a lifestyle
machine that is practical and functional at the same time."
- Keith Takasawa, Ford Escape chief program engineer
-- Based on an all-new platform with unibody construction for refined ride
and handling and maximum bodyshell safety protection
-- MacPherson front struts with dual path upper strut mounts for separate
mounting of springs and shocks, allowing better isolation and improved ride
-- Independent rear suspension with double lateral link and trailing arms,
plus long travel jounce bumpers to allow for lower spring rates and improved
ride
-- Rack-and-pinion steering, plus widely spaced mounting locations that
increase rigidity and improve responsiveness and steering feel
-- Front disk and rear drum brakes, plus available four-channel ABS and
electronic brake force distribution
-- Choice of two transversely mounted engines (I-4 or V-6) and two
transmissions (5-speed manual for the I-4 and 4-speed automatic with the V-6)
-- Choice of front-wheel drive or 4x4 drive systems
The 2001 Ford Escape is designed to provide the ability to go off-highway,
down dirt roads and through snow and rain with the sure-footedness of four-
wheel drive and front-wheel drive. At the same time, Escape was created to be
at home in the city and easy to maneuver in the urban frontier.
Based on an all-new platform developed through a partnership between Ford
and Mazda, Escape features a unitized body that provides refined ride and
handling characteristics.
Drive System
Front-wheel drive is standard, but many customers will opt for the
optional four-wheel-drive system.
The 4x4 drivetrain provides full-time, four-wheel drive functionality. In
addition, the systems offers a 4x4 lockup feature -- comparable to "4x4 high"
in conventional rear-wheel drive 4x4s -- that enhances performance when
driving off-road or on especially slippery surfaces.
The driver uses a rotary switch on the instrument panel to select "4x4
automatic" or "4x4 lock" operation. The automatic setting is appropriate for
most driving conditions. Selecting "4x4 lock" activates an electric solenoid
that locks the rotary blade coupling located between the end of the driveshaft
and the rear axle differential.
It results in a full-time 50-50 torque split between the front and rear
axles. The 4x4 lock mode is suitable for off-road use and when driving on
slippery surfaces.
Powertrain
Escape meets the needs of a variety of buyers who carefully balance their
lifestyles and budgets by offering a choice of a standard 2.0-liter I-4 engine
with 5-speed manual transaxle or an optional 3.0-liter V-6 with 4-speed
automatic, which gives Escape an impressive 3,500-pound capacity. That's
enough capacity to pull a horse trailer, pair of jet skis, snowmobiles, speed
boat or other accessories.
Both engines meet Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards -- like all other
Ford SUVs and pickups in the U.S. -- as well as Europe's Stage 3 standards.
Both engines also provide an SUV with low fuel consumption -0 expected to
rival fuel economy figures of family sedans.
Zetec 2.0-Liter I-4 Engine
The Ford Zetec 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 engine -- standard in the Escape XLS and
XLT -- produces 130 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 135 ft.-lbs. of torque at
4,500 rpm. The engine features a cast iron block with lightweight aluminum
head and composite intake manifold. The engine is mated to a five-speed
manual transmission.
Duratec 3.0-Liter V-6 Engine
The optional Ford 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 engine delivers 200 horsepower at
5,750 rpm and 200 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm -- making it the most
powerful engine offered in the small sport utility class. The powerful
Duratec V-6 is combined with a four-speed automatic transmission with
electronic overdrive.
Suspension
Escape's front suspension uses MacPherson struts attached to lower control
arms with an L-shaped cross section for lateral stiffness. A dual path upper
strut mount, in which the spring and shock are separately mounted, allows the
shock force to be isolated for improved suspension tuning and a better ride.
A stabilizer bar connects to each strut damper for efficiency. The rack-and-
pinion steering gear is mounted to a cross member for reduced compliance.
In the rear, Escape's independent rear suspension has a double lateral
link and trailing arms. The springs are located between the semi-trailing arm
and body.
Long travel jounce bumpers allow lower spring rates and a smoother ride.
The rear differential and 4x4 torque transfer case are mounted to a cross
member.
Steering
Escape's steering is tuned to give the vehicle the direct and sporty
steering feel while providing a comfortable boost for maneuvering in parking
lots. Front steering geometry is optimized to match suspension movement,
providing a more linear feel in all conditions.
Rack-and-pinion power steering is standard. The steering gear features
widely spaced mounting locations that increase system rigidity and produce a
tighter and more responsive steering feel.
Brakes
The Ford Escape has disc brakes in front and drum brakes in the rear. The
front brake rotors are 11.1 inches (278 mm) in diameter and approximately 1
inch (24 mm) thick. Rear drums are 9 inches (229 mm) in diameter.
A four-channel antilock braking system is standard on XLT and available on
XLS. The system features electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) for
improved brake system function. This more accurate system replaces the
traditional mechanical proportioning valve.
The ABS unit monitors front- and rear-wheel speeds using ABS wheel speed
sensors. ABS software and the ABS hydraulic control unit then control brake
pressure based on those signals.
