2020 Ford Escape: Seven-seat variant planned for Europe – report

The next-generation Ford Escape will reportedly be available with a three-row, seven-seat option in Europe.

According to Automotive News, the 2020 Ford Escape – which will again be branded as the Kuga in Europe – will be offered in seven-seat form.

It's unknown if this seven-seat version of the Kuga/Escape will be identical to the next-generation crossover to be sold in other markets, like the US, or whether it will feature a lengthened rear overhang, longer wheelbase, or a combination of the two.

In Europe, the seven-seat Kuga is expected to replace the Ford Edge, which is sold as the Endura in Australia. Imported from the US, and available with a 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine in 110kW and 175kW versions, the Edge has failed to capture the hearts and minds of buyers there.

The company only managed to sell 9527 Edge crossovers in Europe during 2018. By comparison Ford shifted 153,542 Kuga models and 111,856 copies of the EcoSport last year.

Large by European standards, the Edge can only seat five people. A seven-seat version of the Edge, with a more upright rear section and longer rear overhang, is sold only in China.

Ford has allocated around 90 per cent of its vehicle development dollars on "trucks and utilities", with the company focussing on the more profitable crossover, SUV and ute markets.

Last year Ford created waves when it announced it would remove all traditional sedan, hatch and wagon models from its US range within a few years.

Across the ocean in Europe, Ford has just finished launching completely redesigned versions of its mainstay Fiesta and Focus models, which despite generating the bulk of the automaker's sales on the Continent are thought to be loss making.

Despite healthy margins for the popular van range, Ranger ute, Kuga crossover and "selected imports" — probably the Mustang — Ford of Europe was swimming in red ink last year.

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