The big news is the addition of a new 2.5L four-cylinder to replace the old 2.3L engine. Not only is the new engine larger, but it also adds variable valve timing on the intake to boost power by 17 up to 170 horsepower. The 2.5L also serves as the new base engine for the standard Escape and Mariner, but uses the Atkinson cycle in the hybrid models. Ford's hybrid CUVs also get a new six-speed automatic, aerodynamic upgrades and new 16-inch low-rolling resistance tires from Michelin.

The standard Escape and Mariner also get an improved version of the familiar 3.0L V6 engine with new pistons, cylinder heads and fuel injection system. It gets a meaningful power bump of 30 horsepower up to 230, which, with the new six-speed auto, also achieves a 1 mpg gain in fuel economy.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/d...riner-hybrids/

 

More power and better (even if only slightly) mileage = formula to win with.

 

I was very interested to hear Ford is showing a prototype Plug In Hybrid Escape. That thing needed to be on the market yesterday. At 120mpg, I would buy one tomorrow. Charge it up overnight in your garage for $.50 in electricity, and that gets you 30 miles. That's about 1/6 of the cost of gas, which would get you 30 miles on $3 in gas.

 

Good news, good news . . .

 

Ford press release:

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=27548