2013 Ford Escape Manchester
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An all-new 2013 Ford Escape goes on sale this spring promising breakthrough fuel economy and improved convenience. Ford revealed the 2013 Escape with handsome new styling inside and out at the November 2011 LA Auto Show. All-new powertrains for 2013 Ford Escape models will include a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. The all-new EcoBoost engines combine direct fuel injection and turbocharging and add twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) to deliver improved fuel economy. Ford promises strong torque at low-rpm, which means the 2013 Escape should feel responsive and powerful when motoring around town. The EcoBoost
technology was pioneered on Ford's V6 engines and is used on the latest Ford F-150 pickup. The new engines are mated to specially calibrated, 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmissions. SelectShift allows drivers to manually control gear selection from a switch on the left-hand side of the shifter. Ford said the SelectShift Automatic transmission features a new torque converter for improved driving feel, silky smooth shifts and better fuel economy. The standard engine will be an updated version of the current 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The 2.5-liter engine also comes with a new SelectShift Automatic 6-speed.
Driving Impressions of the '13 Ford Escape
All-wheel drive will be available on the new Escape, promising excellent handling and traction in wintry conditions. Ford's new Intelligent 4WD System is designed to instantly distribute optimum torque to the tires according to grip and driver input. Ford explained the system analyzes data from 25 external signals, including wheel speed, accelerator pedal position and steering wheel angle, assessing road conditions and driver input 20 times faster than the blink of an eye. The system uses all the sensor inputs to turn the vehicle in the direction the driver wants it to go. Intelligent 4WD builds on the pre-emptive actions by adding and subtracting torque as needed through an electromagnetic clutch.
Interior Features of the '13 Ford Escape
The rear seats in the 2013 Escape have been designed to fold flat easily. With the touch of a button, the head restraint folds down and with the lift of a handle on the seat, the seatback folds and dives as the seat folds flat and clicks into position. A two-position load floor can be configured for maximum luggage space or a flat load floor. The 2013 Escape will come with the latest versions of Ford SYNC and MyFord Touch for integration with your smartphone. Active Park Assist, which automatically steers the car into a parallel parking space, is also available. BLIS with Cross Traffic Alert use visible and audible alerts to warn the driver of hazards. When backing out of a parking spot, Cross Traffic Alert 
warns the driver of oncoming vehicles with an audible tone, handy in today's crowded parking lots. On the highway, BLIS warns the driver when other vehicles enter the driver's blind spot by flashing a light in the outside mirror. For the environmentally conscouis, the cushions and head restraints in the 2013 Escape use a bio-based polyurethane foam derived from the oils of various plant seeds such as soybeans. More than 10 lbs. of scrap cotton from jeans, sweaters, T-shirts and other items ? material that otherwise would be sent to a landfill ? is used in sound-absorption material. The carpet in all models is manufactured from a blend of post-consumer and post-industrial polyester fibers, which reduces the need for new raw materials and helps eliminate waste. The post-consumer fibers are derived from recycled plastic bottles. In total, about 25 recycled 20-ounce bottles are in the carpeting.
Exterior Features of the '13 Ford Escape
The neatest feature, which was demonstrated at the LA Auto Show, was the Escape's hands-free power liftgate, which can opened by kicking your foot under the rear bumper. Handy when carrying an armload of boxes, the system uses sensors under the bumper that detect your waving foot to trigger the power tailgate. Most noticeable on the 2013 Escape will be its sleek new styling. Besides bringing fresh new looks, the new design is much more aerodynamic than the outgoing model, according to Ford. A new active grille shutter system, which is on all models with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, automatically closes the grille slats when cruising on the highway at steady speeds to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The grille slats stay open during low-speed stop-and-go driving when extra engine cooling air is required.
Model Lineup
The 2013 Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV that comes in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL and Titanium.
The S is the base model, so it comes with 17-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack,, a 2.5L Duratec I-4 engine, and a 6-speed SelectShift Automatictransmission
The SE model upgrades to 17-inch alloy wheels, reclining rear seats, satellite radio, steering-wheel audio controls, a 1.6L EcoBoost engineand a 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission.
The SEL model comes equipped with heated sideview mirrors, the MyFord Touch electronics interface, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, an upgraded nine-speaker sound system, a 1.6 Liter EcoBoost Engine and a 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission
The top of the line model, the Titanium comes with 19-inch wheels, remote start, keyless ignition/entry, upgraded leather upholstery, the Sony audio system, a 2.0 Liter EcoBoost Engine and a 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission 
Conclusions
The current-generation Escape is a superb compact SUV and the upcoming 2013 Escape portends to be a leading contender in its class. For more on the 2013 Ford Escape, click here.
Some of the information used in this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com