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2020 Ford Escape to offer PHEV variant – report

American publications uncover documents detailing powertrain options for the next-generation crossover, which should make its debut within the next 12 months.


The all-new Ford Escape is due to be revealed soon, and new details have come to light regarding the powertrains that will be available.

Documents first published by The Truth About Cars and then confirmed by Carscoops reveal the new-generation crossover will offer two turbocharged petrol engines in North America, along with a plug-in hybrid variant.

At the base level, the Escape will feature a 1.5-litre three-cylinder Ecoboost turbo petrol making 134kW and 240Nm – the same unit used in the new-generation Focus hatchback.

Sitting in the middle of the range is a 2.0-litre Ecoboost turbo four making 177kW, which is liekly a revised version of the unit currently on sale.

Finally, sitting atop the engine line-up is a new plug-in hybrid drivetrain featuring a 2.5-litre petrol engine hooked up to a battery system and electric motor. Further details like outputs and range are unavailable at this point, however.

In North America the Escape will be offered in four trim levels, with the option of front- and all-wheel drive. According to the overseas reports, the PHEV version will be available in the three higher grades.

This latest development comes after industry journal Automotive News reported the next-gen Escape will offer a three-row version for the first time, putting it in closer contention with larger rivals in the medium SUV segment like the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

In Europe, where the Escape is sold as the Kuga, it's likely the three-row model will replace the slow-selling Edge (known as the Endura here) which barely managed 6.0 per cent of the current Kuga's volume in the region last year.

As for timing, the new Escape/Kuga should be revealed within the next year. It's unclear, however, whether Ford's European or North American divisions will be first to show off the new product.

Should it be the latter, the new crossover could debut at the New York motor show in April ahead of a market launch before the end of the year. If the former gets their hands on it first, meanwhile, expect a reveal at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

For now, stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest Ford Escape updates.

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