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2000 L.A. Photo Gallery I
PONTIAC MINTS "SAV" AZTEK Coining a new phrase for its "sport recreation vehicle," a crossover... Read More
2000 L.A. Photo Gallery I
PONTIAC MINTS "SAV" AZTEK Coining a new phrase for its "sport recreation vehicle," a crossover... Read More
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Anxious to reach the mud pile deep inside the woods bordering the meandering Russian River in Northern California, I reached toward the dashboard and turned the switch for Ford's new Control Trac II 4x4 Auto torque-on-demand. Nothing. Geez. Brand new off-roading system ballyhooed from Boston to Bangkok and no discernable clunk, twitch, or thunk.
Was it working? Yes indeed. Took us through squishy hubcap-high ooze as if we were on pavement. Not even the tiniest slippage. Then it was through the mud, threading between the redwoods, and headed for Bodega Bay and the coast.
With a "Buddhist biker" and a "champagne visionary" advertising for a mate in the local weekly, read when we stopped for lunch in historic Duncans Mills, it's kind of hard to keep your attention on the mechanics of Ford's newest four-door SUV but we quickly realized that the 2001 Escape, the company's sixth sport-ute, is destined to be its most successful. While the Explorer enjoys top billing right now, the new Escape is headed for global popularity and is being sold in 140 countries. It's probably Ford's most important vehicle this year and the company's gamble is already paying off: 35,000 are on order and it hasn't even hit the showrooms yet.
An entry-level compact SUV, the Escape is aimed at anyone brave enough to abandon that safe sedan and take a leap of faith into the rarified atmosphere of Sport Utility Vehicle Owners. Or at least, it used to be rarified when only Range Rovers ruled the roads. Today, it's become clogged but everyone's still wanting in. Ford is after anyone with an active lifestyle, young or old, who has never plunked down money on an SUV.
The Escape is also for passenger-car wimps who think that switching to a big, ugly, trucky SUV will take the roof off their garage or swell the balance on their Chevron credit card. Well, Ford's new SUV takes up the same space as a standard station wagon, and fuel economy is impressive. As for price, the Escape carries the same tag as a well-equipped Taurus and starts at $18,160.
