2001 Ford Escape prices begin at
$18,160
DEARBORN, March 16, 2000 – The all-new Ford Escape, Ford’s newest
sport utility vehicle, marks the company’s expansion into the
growing small SUV market. It has been designed to meet customer
needs while providing good fuel economy, low emissions and an
outstanding package with nimble maneuverability on the road and a
rugged capability for off-road driving.
The base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for the 2001 Ford
Escape range from $18,160 (including destination and delivery
charges of $515) for the XLS series to $21,335 (including
destination and delivery charges) for the XLT series equipped with
Ford’s new Control Trac II four-wheel drive system.
“We believe the Escape will attract a whole new group of buyers to
our Ford dealers’ Outfitters showrooms – buyers who may not have
considered, or owned, an SUV before,” says Jim O’Connor, Ford
Division president and vice president of Ford Motor Company. “The
small SUV segment is one of the fastest growing in the industry
today. The Escape undoubtedly will be a formidable competitor,
loaded with many standard features that are optional on other SUVs
in the segment.”
Major Escape Equipment
The versatile Escape will be
sold in two trim models – the well-equipped entry XLS series and
optional XLT – both providing standard front-wheel drive and
independent rear suspension. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter
Zetec I-4 mated with a 5-speed manual overdrive transmission. A
3.0-liter Duratec V-6 engine with automatic transmission is
optional, as is Ford’s Control Trac II four-wheel drive system which
provides confidence off the beaten path and through snow and rain or
any other uncertain driving conditions.
An XLS model Escape equipped with the I-4 engine and Control Trac II
four-wheel drive system will carry an MSRP of $19,785 (including D&D
charges). The volume model – expected to be an XLT equipped with
the optional 3.0-liter V-6 engine and Control Trac II four-wheel
drive system will carry an MSRP of $22,300 (including D&D charges).
The new Ford Escape is designed to appeal to younger buyers, as well
as the “young at heart” – drivers who want fun, agile, sporty,
durable yet affordable transportation for their active lifestyles.
Based on an all-new platform, the Ford Escape offers customers many
standard and optional features that make it stand out from the
competition. Some of those product features include:
- Unibody construction that provides nimble maneuverability while
offering maximum bodyshell safety protection.
- A
four-wheel independent suspension for refined ride and
handling.
- A choice of DOHC 2.0-liter Zetec I-4 or
3.0-liter 200-horsepower DuratecV-6 engine, with average fuel
economy ranging from 24 to 28 mpg.
- Certified to
low emissions vehicle (LEV) standards with emissions among the
cleanest in its class.
- Front-wheel drive drivetrain
or the all-new Control Trac II four-wheel drive system with
full-time automatic 4×4 with a driver-determined switch to select
four-wheel drive automatic or “4×4 Lock.”
- 3,500 pound
towing capacity (with V-6 engine and towing package) – enough to
pull jet skis, snowmobiles or a small boat.
- Four
doors and rear liftgate with flip-up glass.
- “LATCH” child safety seat attachments and tether anchors a
full year before required by U.S. government regulations.
Rear-seat-mounted rigid anchors allow a properly designed child
safety seat to be clipped into position quickly and accurately.
Combined with ceiling-mounted top tether anchors, the system
provides advanced protection for children.
“With the Ford Escape, we now have the most comprehensive lineup of
SUVs on the planet. Our 4,200 U.S. Ford dealers can outfit
customers with the exact vehicle that best meets their specific
lifestyles and sense of adventure,” says O’Connor.
The 2001 Ford Escape will be built at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly
Plant in Claycomo, Mo., and goes on sale in North America this
summer. The new small SUV will be sold worldwide in more than 150
countries. Escape pricing and specifications for markets outside of
North America will be announced at a later date.
# # #
2001 Ford Escape Standard Equipment
XLS Series Standard Equipment:
(Base Price $18,160,
including Destination and Delivery Charges of $515)
- 2.0-liter I-4 Zetec Engine
- 5-speed Manual O/D
Transmission
- Front-Wheel
Drive
- Independent Rear Suspension
- 15″ Styled Steel Wheels
- Liftgate w/Flip-up
Glass
- Rear Window Defrost & Two-Speed Wiper
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo w/Single
CD
- Power Mirrors, Windows and Locks
- Steering Column Tilt
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Body Cladding
- Front Disc/Rear Drum
Brakes
- Integrated Bumper Guards
- Roof
Rack w/two Crossbars
- Illuminated Entry and
Accessory Delay
- White-Faced Instrument Cluster
- Front Variable-Speed Wipers
- Cloth/Vinyl
Bucket Front Seats
- Center Console w/Five Cup
Holders
- Tip/Fold-Flat Rear Bench Seat w/Dual
Headrests
- Rear Area Cargo Light
- 2nd
Generation Dual Front Airbags
- Side Intrusion Door
Beams
- SecuriLock/Immobilizer
XLT Series Standard Equipment:
(Base Price $19,710 including
Destination & Delivery Charges of $515)
- All
XLS Standard Equipment Plus_
- Convenience Group
(including cargo area retractable cover, perimeter alarm, floor
mats, speed control)
- 15″ Aluminum Wheels with
Outlined White Letter Tires (OWL)
- Premium Cloth
Seats
- Manual Height Adjust Front Seats
- AM/FM Cassette/CD
- ABS Brakes
- Fog Lamps
- Rear Cargo Area Auxiliary
Powerpoint
- Reclining 60/40 Split-Bench Rear
Seat
2001 Ford Escape Optional Equipment, Packages
and Pricing
Convenience Group (Standard on XLT, Optional on
XLS): $325
- Cargo Area Retractable Cover
- Perimeter Alarm
- Floor Mats
- Speed Control
Leather Comfort Group (Available only on
XLT): $870
- Leather Seating Surfaces
- Power Driver
Seat
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Overhead Console with Dual Storage Bins
- Under-Seat Storage (passenger seat)
Other Options:
- 3.0-liter Duratec
V-6 Engine w/Automatic Transmission (XLS) $1400
- 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 Engine w/Automatic Transmission (XLT)
(Includes higher level center console than XLS) $1480
- Control Trac II, 4-Wheel Drive System (Note: Class II
Trailer Tow Package and 16″ Aluminum Wheels are included on XLTs
Equipped with the 3.0-liter V-6 Engine and the Control Trac II
Four-Wheel Drive System) $1625
- Anti-Lock Braking
System (Optional on XLS only) $ 575
- Power Moonroof w/Shade (Optional on XLT only) $
585
- Privacy Glass (Optional on XLT only) $
275
- Side Air Bag (Front Seat) $
345
- Side Step Bars $
275
- Trailer Tow, Class II (Optional with V-6
Engine Only) $ 350
- AM/FM Dual
Media Stereo (Optional on XLS only) $ 130
- Ford MACH Audio System/6-Disc, In-Dash,
Receiver (Optional on XLT only) $ 585
- Ford
MACH Audio System/Dual Media (Optional on XLT only) $
505
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