Ford has taken the wraps off the new Escape facelift (also known as Kuga in Malaysia) prior to its official debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The new Kuga comes with even more driver-assist technologies to help enable safer and easier driving; new mobile connectivity that allows owners to interact with their vehicle from anywhere through a smartphone app, and two new EcoBoost engines.
The new Kuga is also the first Ford vehicle to be offered with Ford’s SYNC Connect, allowing users to unlock doors, check fuel level and even locate where a vehicle is parked.
With SYNC Connect, owners can also remotely start their vehicle and schedule future starts using their smartphones. The technology provides vehicle location, as well as key vehicle information such as tyre pressures, battery and fuel levels.
SYNC Connect, available with SYNC 3 for the new Kuga, comes with complimentary activation for five years. A user enables the system through a two-step authentication process designed to protect personal information.
Other driver-assist features available to help make the daily commute safer and easier for drivers of the new Ford Kuga includes an Adaptive Cruise Control and forward collision warning with brake support, enhanced Active Park Assist, Lane-keeping System as well as Driver Alert System.
In terms of powertrain, the Kuga debuts two EcoBoost engines in a form of a 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharger. The new Kuga also comes with Auto Start-Stop as standard, a technology that senses when the vehicle is sitting idle and shuts off the engine to conserve fuel, resulting in a 4% to 6% improvement in fuel economy in a stop-and-go traffic. The engine will then restarts automatically – in less than half a second – when the driver releases the brake pedal.
The Kuga SE and Titanium trim levels come standard with the new 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost, while the powerful new twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost is optional. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard across the line, with new paddle-shift technology available for Kuga SE and Titanium.
The twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost delivers 245hp and 371Nm of torque, while the aluminum-block, twin-cam 1.5-liter EcoBoost with integrated exhaust manifold is projected to deliver horsepower and torque output comparable to the 1.6-liter engine – an expected 180hp and 250Nm of torque.
Along with the new EcoBoost offerings, the 2.5-liter i-VCT four-cylinder engine carries over as standard equipment for the Kuga S series.
