Both Cook and Archuleta were given the Ford Escape Hybrid – which are great on fuel efficiency and supposed to be great for the environment. Cook is getting along with both his new car and Ford Motor Company in general rather swimmingly, “I love it. It’s nice to have a new car. Ford has been amazing throughout the whole process. I definitely could see this as the start of something,” says the rocker.

Ford capitulates. “We don’t have anything in the works with David yet but he is someone Ford would be proud to be associated with,” according to Connie Fontaine. She should know, she manages Ford’s relationship with American Idol. An American Idol tie-up has been made in the past, as past winner Kelly Clarkson sang a custom tune for Ford’s last marketing campaign.

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Ford said overall fuel efficiency for the gasoline versions of the 2009 Escape and Mariner would increase by 1 mpg compared with the 2008 versions, which get between 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway depending on the engine configuration.

The fuel economy on the 2009 hybrid versions of the Escape and Mariner are not expected to change by any substantial amount, Ford said. Both the gasoline and hybrid versions of the Escape and Mariner will have a new 2.5-liter engine that will boost power 11 percent to 170 horsepower. The gasoline versions will also offer an optional 230-hp, 3.0-liter V6 engine with similar gains in fuel economy. The 2009 versions of both models will go on sale this summer.

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To underscore the environmental concern expressed in the production of the Escape Hybrid, 2008 Escape will showcase the first U.S. automotive application of seating surfaces made entirely from 100 percent recycled materials. This material will be used not only in the Escape Hybrid, but in gasoline-powered 2008 Escape models as well.

The material’s supplier, Georgia-based InterfaceFABRIC, says that when compared to “virgin” fibers, the “post-industrial” product will conserve on an annual basis some 600,000 gallons of water, more than 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.8 million pounds. Other changes in the Escape’s interior include the introduction of Ford’s new “top of dash” display with exterior temperature, radio functions and climate-control readouts on the top section of the dashboard, where the driver won’t have to divert attention far from the road ahead to check such information.

Safety features on the 2008 Escape will include front and side airbags for the front seats and side-curtain airbags that cover both rows, as well as AdvanceTrac (stability control) with anti-rollover technology. The exterior redesign includes a much more aggressive front end with a higher hood line, more massive grille and headlamps that sweep up over the ends of the front bumper. The beltline (point where the side glass sill meets the car’s shoulder) also is higher and strengthens the vehicle’s stance.

The gasoline-powered 2008 Ford Escape will be available with either a 153-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission or a 200-hp 3.0-liter V6 with a four-speed automatic. The V6 has 3500 pounds of towing capacity. The Escape Hybrid has a 133-hp four-cylinder engine linked to a 70-kilowatt electric motor.

The net result is 155 horsepower and acceleration similar to that of the V6, but with enhanced fuel economy and reduced emissions. As a full hybrid, the Escape Hybrid can run only on electric power in low-load conditions. The Hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission, or CVT.

One mechanical change for 2008 is the application of electric power-assisted steering technology designed to improve fuel economy while eliminating noises that can be associated with traditional hydraulic-assisted steering gear. Ford says changes in both the roof design and in the use of insulating materials make the 2008 Escape significantly quieter inside.

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The new Escapes get chunkier styling outside and a completely revamped interior. The exterior lines were drawn sharper; Ford stylists raised the beltline to better balance the profile of the Escape. Blacked-out B-pillars and a larger grille give the crossover a more masculine appearance than the first-generation ute, which appeared in 2001.

Inside, the Escape’s dash has been reworked to include a strip of readouts near the windshield, including temperature and radio functions. Recycled materials are used for all the seating surfaces. And the new audio systems include a standard MP3 jack for personal music players. Ford has swapped out the Escape’s green lighting for a new blue treatment-and it’s swapped the Escape’s small console for a laptop-sized bin between the drive and the front passenger.

Like the similar 2008 Mercury Mariner, the Escape has a revamped range of engines. The 2.3-liter four with 153 horsepower returns, and is teamed with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. A 3.0-liter V-6 option makes 200 horsepower and is mated to a four-speed automatic.

The Escape Hybrid continues with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, battery packs and a continuously variable transmission combining for 155 hp. Improved software helps the Escape Hybrid distribute power more smoothly, Ford says. Other mechanical updates include a shift to electric power steering, thicker glass laminates for better sound deadening, and the addition of side curtain airbags.

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For 2005, Escape has a fresh new face, new headlamps, and a brightened interior. The new base 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is a big improvement over the old 2.0-liter, and it’s available with an automatic transmission for the first time, a benefit of its increased power.

The 2005 Escape offers a fully automatic four-wheel drive option that operates transparently in the background. The standard manual transmission is new, with lighter shifting efforts and shorter throws. And a revised suspension improves the ride.

But the biggest news is that the Escape Hybrid has finally arrived, using a special version of the 2.3-liter gas engine teamed with an electric motor. It’s designed to deliver quick response while delivering excellent fuel economy.

Ford Escape comes in three trim levels, XLS, XLT, and Limited, all available with front-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). There’s a choice of three powerplants and a choice of transmissions.

XLS ($19,265) is the base model and comes standard with air conditioning, illuminated remote entry, power windows and mirrors, tilt steering column, center console, 15-inch steel wheels and an AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system with clock.

The new 2.3-liter four-cylinder Duratec 23 engine produces 153 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque, nearly 18 percent more power and 10 percent more torque than last year’s engine.

It has a balance shaft for smoothness, and it comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission. A 200-horsepower 3.0-liter Duratec V6 and four-speed automatic are also available: The XLS 4WD model ($21,015) comes standard with the V6 and automatic.
XLT ($22,780) and XLT 4WD ($24,530) come standard with the V6 and automatic transmission.

XLT also gets four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), premium cloth upholstery, a power driver’s seat, privacy glass, a power moonroof, cruise control, a cargo cover and convenience net, fog lights, an in-dash six-CD changer, and white-letter P235/70R16 tires on 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels.

Now the XLT No Boundaries Package 47S on our test truck ($1,055) adds all-terrain tires, painted aluminum wheels, black painted step bars, Class II trailer towing, and wheel lips. New this year is XLT Sport ($23,690 FWD; $25,440 AWD) with all the XLT standard equipment plus 16-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, P235/70R16 tires, painted Dark Shadow gray fascias, bodyside cladding, wheel lip moldings and black step bars.

Option packages are available for each trim level. XLT Premium Package ($1230) includes leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 60/40 split rear bench seat, front door map pockets, an overhead console with dual storage bins, a front passenger under-seat storage tray, and a power moonroof with sunshade.

Also available for 2005 is the Limited Luxury Comfort Package, which includes the MACH audio system, heated side-view mirrors, reverse sensing system, front and rear premium leather-trimmed seats and heated front seats.

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