"In addition to its extremely quiet operation, the most apparent difference between driving the Escape Hybrid and any other SUV is how few stops you'll make for fuel, especially in city driving," said Mary Ann Wright, director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. "We've worked very hard to make the driving experience as familiar as possible."

The Escape Hybrid experience begins conventionally: Turn the key, and the engine starts. Shift to Drive, press the accelerator, and you're off.

"The first thing you'll notice is the smoothness," said Tom Watson, Ford Escape powertrain supervisor. "The Escape Hybrid's transmission can change its gear ratio seamlessly and continuously. There's no feeling of gear shifts as you increase speed."

Braking System Saves Energy
When coming to a stop, Escape Hybrid's electric motor and regenerative braking system capture energy that normally would be lost as heat developed by the four-wheel disc brakes. As the driver presses the brake pedal, Escape Hybrid's electric drive system transforms the vehicle's momentum into electric energy. This energy gets transferred to the hybrid battery, where it is stored for later use, saving gasoline and eliminating the need to plug the vehicle into an electric outlet.

"After just a few laps around the block, drivers become very comfortable with engine stop-start," Watson said. "The quiet operation simply becomes second nature." Conventional vehicles use the gasoline engine to provide energy for power braking and steering. In pure electric mode, the Escape Hybrid's electric power-assisted steering and advanced electro-hydraulic braking systems continue to function normally.

Capability Expected From a Ford SUV
Proving that efficiency and utility can go hand-in-hand, the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid not only is the world's most fuel-efficient SUV, it's the only hybrid vehicle to offer four-wheel drive, a manufacturer's towing rating and a maximum 65.5 cubic feet of cargo room.

Intelligent 4WD System Offers Unprecedented Hybrid Capability
The Escape Hybrid is the only hybrid to offer the off-pavement advantage and all-weather security of optional four-wheel drive. For 2005, all Escape models offer an all-new, fully automatic four-wheel-drive system.

The new Intelligent 4WD System requires no driver interaction and is so seamless in operation that most drivers will never notice that it has engaged - except being impressed by Escape Hybrid's capability in slippery conditions.

The Intelligent 4WD System has a fully computer-controlled clutch that engages the rear wheels as needed; in normal conditions Escape is driven by its front wheels. Using sensors at each wheel and the accelerator, the system's computer can calculate up to 200 times per second exactly how much torque to send to the rear wheels to minimize slip; it can also predict slip and preclude it from happening at all.

The Intelligent 4WD System eliminates one of the drawbacks of other four-wheel-drive systems that are tuned aggressively for maximum traction: a binding effect during tight turns and driveline harshness when the system engages. The Escape Hybrid's Intelligent 4WD System can sense tight turns and continuously varies the torque to the rear wheels at all speeds, offering the benefits of a "locked" four-wheel-drive system without any of the drawbacks.

An Environmental Vehicle That Pulls Its Share
As the hybrid market's only vehicle rated by its manufacturer for towing, Escape Hybrid further distinguishes itself as the most practical hybrid. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 1,000 pounds - enough to pull a small boat, personal watercraft or utility trailer. This is the same tow rating as a standard Escape powered by the I-4 engine.