First-Ever Hybrid SUV Takes on Manhattan Traffic on One Tank of Gas With Virtually no Emissions

NEW YORK, April 2 -- Ford Motor Company will take the world's first hybrid-electric SUV to midtown Manhattan to see just how far the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid can be driven in brutal city traffic on a single tank of gas.

"Manhattan on a Tank of Gas" kicks off Monday, April 5 at 7:00 a.m. and will continue non-stop through Tuesday April 6. Ford has invited some of the country's most environmentally conscious celebrities to drive a portion of the epic city journey in the "cleanest and most fuel efficient SUV on the planet." Confirmed participants include actors Kevin Bacon, Matthew Modine, some of Ford Models' fresh new faces and red hot NASCAR driver Kurt Busch.

Ford's chief engineer for Escape Hybrid Mary Ann Wright will accompany the celebrities as they drive the streets of Manhattan. A limited number of journalists who pre-scheduled their drives will also participate in the urban driving test.

Just how far can the Escape Hybrid go on one tank of gas? Members of the media are invited to find out, and be among the first in the country to test-drive the Escape Hybrid with Wright at scheduled times on April 5 and 6. The drive will start in midtown at 7:00 a.m. Media can arrange to photograph the vehicle and speak with members of the Escape Hybrid team throughout the two days. Please call the contacts listed above to book time slots. Weekend editors can call Lisa Duszak or Octavio Navarro on Saturday or Sunday at the cell phone numbers listed.

Results of the challenge will be released at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, at the New York International Auto Show by Ford Chairman and CEO Bill Ford.

PRNewswire -- April 2