HYBRID 2000

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

The 2008 model year brought significant cosmetic changes to the Ford Escape – adding sharper lines and a more rugged exterior. For 2009, Ford has turned its attention under the hood and revamped the 2009 Ford Escape hybrid’s mechanics. By bringing the SUV’s inner-workings up to speed, the auto giant is hoping to see sales even higher than it did during a record-breaking ’08.
The 2.5 liter engine in the ‘09 Escape is Ford’s first attempt at using variable valve timing in conjuction with their Atkinson cycle hybrid engine. The result is an almost unnoticeable transition between electric and gas modes. Ford outfitted all 2009 Escapes with a new power train and upgraded the four speed automatic transmission to a six speed automatic transmission. As a result, the car hugs tight turns and shifts smoothly.
A major change in the hybrid version now allows you to drive the Escape in “all electric mode” from 0-40 mph before the gas engine takes over. The previous model made the switch at 30 miles per hour. On the outside, some minor adjustments to the spoilers and wheels allow for better aerodynamics and result in the car achieving two or three more miles per gallon.
2009 Ford Escape ImageA new electronic braking system increases the 2009 SUV’s stability and provides better feel of the brake pedal. Ford claims this change offers a more seamless crossover from regenerative to traditional braking. Another first for small hybrids is AdvanceTrac with RCS, Ford’s patented stability control system that includes rollover stability control, now standard on the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (and the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid).
Optional equipment includes Ford’s increasingly popular SYNC system (voice activated in-car communication and entertainment system), this year with “911 assist”. Buyers can also opt for the new Sirius Travel Link system for real time traffic, weather, and fuel price notifications.

Just five months after announcing a joint effort to better understand electric automobiles, Ford Motor Company and Southern California Edison (SCE) introduced the first demo version of the all new, Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid vehicle (PHEV). The plug-in Escape SUV is a research vehicle that uses high voltage, lithium-ion batteries which can be charged using standard 120 volt household current.
When the batteries are fully charged, a process that takes about 7 hours, the electrified Escape is capable of achieving 120 miles per gallon during the first 30 miles of travel. As a bonus, the PHEV doesn’t need to be recharged to continue its journey. Instead, it automatically and seamlessly transitions to operate as a standard hybrid Escape.
In total, Ford will deliver 20 of these future suvs to the Edison International company, with some of the joint testing between the two industry leaders taking place in normal customer settings. One goal is to gather data regarding the reliability, durability and safety of this new battery based technology. Following extensive testing and refinements, another major challenge will be to find ways to reduce the cost of advanced lithium ion batteries, currently deamed unfeasible for mass vehicle distribution.
Throughout the next year and a half, Ford hopes to test and improve these cars and have the plug-in hybrid ready for sale within the next five years.

Differences between same model gas vs. hybrid sport utilities.
Large number of people are interested in the differences between same model gas vs. hybrid sport utilities.
For example, if you’ve decided to buy a new Ford Escape, but now you are also considering the hybrid model, you’re probably asking yourself if escaping to the green side is worth the extra, well, green. While both SUVs look nearly identical when you are more than about 15 feet away, a closer look reveals their hidden differences.
As with most vehicles you can buy today, there are several models of Escape to choose from. (As a side note, this is an issue automakers may soon be forced to address, but we will save that problem for a future article.) Not including destination, tax, or license fees - you can pick up the Escape XLS (manual transmission) for $21,160, the XLS for $22,370, the popular XLT for $24,180, or the Escape Limited for $25,624.
The two wheel drive 2009 Escape hybrid has an MSRP of $29,645 (4wd is $31,395) and is most similar to the XLT in terms of options. Therefore, the price difference is roughly $5,500. A step up from the base hybrid to the Limited hybrid will cost you at least $2,300 more. So, your quick take-away is this…plan on spending at least $5,500 more to get the green Escape, or even $6,500 more due to current incentives for gas only models. Don’t forget to see if you qualify for a 2009 hybrid tax credit on this vehicle!
Say you decide to plop down the extra $6K to get one of the hybrid Escape models. What did you really get for that wad of cash? For starters, the most obvious improvement will be your gas mileage, a benefit that becomes more appealing the longer you own the vehicle, the more miles you drive, and the higher fuel prices climb.
However, if fuel economy was the only difference, you’d have to wait patiently to realize how smart you were to buy the hybrid. The front wheel drive gas-only Escape is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the open road. Your hybrid Escape improves on those numbers, averaging more like 34 city / 31 hwy. While much depends on where and how you drive, let’s estimate that your hybrid decision earns you an extra 8 miles of driving for every gallon of gasoline you purchase. If you drive 15,000 miles per year, and gas is $2.50/gallon, your hybrid fuel savings is only $400 each year. Therefore, at current petrol prices you would break even after 15 years! When is the last time you kept a vehicle that long?