Four new models arriving in mid-2022, Ford NZ says.

THE mains-rechargeable Escape hybrid will be joined by four electric-assisted variants next year that lack ability to replenish externally but offer an alternate of four-wheel-drive and superior range.

Ford New Zealand doesn’t intend to announce pricing for the hybrid Escapes it has chosen and labelled as FHEVs – a marketing concoct standing for ‘full hybrid electric vehicle’ - until much closer to their release. 

It is also declining to speculate on what might happen to the model line-up once those models land.

However, it has confirmed that if it merely added in those extra models, it would have 10 different versions of the medium sports utility.

That’s a more extensive count than any rival and conceivably too many for the market to stand, regardless that the SUV sector is heavily shopped by new car buyers.

There is no firm rebuttal that at least some of the pure petrol models, which span in price from $42,990 to $55,990, might be elbowed out to fit in the hybrids, which will avail in ST-Line and ST-Line X trims and will offer, as the petrols do, in the front-drive format the plug-in car limits to.

These model in turn would surely have to cost less than the plug-in hybrid cars, which cost $60,000 and $66,000 respectively, prior to Government’s rebate.

The hybrids would likely achieve a more modest rebate which enacts from January 1.

Ford NZ is already touting Green credentials for the hybrid, which look much like the fully petrol-committed car that has been in the market for a year already and the PHEV editions, now trickling in and subject to order-only.

One particular claim, based on how the car operates in is United Kingdom spec (where is it sold as a Kuga), is about the range.

A drivetrain that allies the same Atkinson cycle 2.5-litre petrol used by the PHEV, but with a significantly smaller lithium ion battery – of 1.1 kWh against 14.4 kWh for the plug-in edition – has ability to achieve 1000 kilometres’ range between fill-ups.

That’s when measured on the world harmonised light vehicle (WLTP) scale, which assesses the car to deliver an optimal overall real-world fuel efficiency of 5.4 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 125 grams per kilometre. Using the older and now generally discredited NEDC mathematic brings those counts to 5.1 litres and 118g/km.

Ford NZ could not cite an overall range for the next-step-up PHEV car, but today’s video says the FHEV can deliver 30 percent more range than the PHEV. The latter has a smaller fuel tank; just 45 litres. The hybrid has the same 54 litres’ capacity as the fully fossil fuelled model.

When it comes to economy, the PHEV still achieves more frugally, with a claimed fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test of 1.5 litres per 100km optimally.

The plug-in can also offer an electric-only driving range, of more than 50km. Press comment issued about the FHEV is far less definitive.

It says the car promises “silent key start capability enables the Escape Hybrid to pull away from a standstill using electric power alone for a truly relaxing driving experience, particularly in city and stop-start driving scenarios.” The video also claims it can electric-enable for short duration driving.

However, a spokesman did not disagree today that the hybrid’s electric-pure operation might realistically be around the same as for Toyota hybrid product, with electric-pure operability being likewise restricted to low-speed manoeuvring.

The maximum power for the hybrid is claimed at 140kW, whereas the PHEV delivers a cited combined maximum power of 167kW.

The petrol-pure editions are motivated by an updated version of the brand’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost, making 183kW/387Nm.

The make says with no need to use an external power source to charge the battery, Escape FHEV offers “an attractive choice for customers desiring an electrified powertrain, but who have limited access to external charging solutions at home or places of work.”

It also reminds that the battery is compact enough that the type has the same interior dimensions as the fully petrol car, including up to 1481 litres of cargo space behind the front seats.

A full explanation of the FHEV’s drivetrain is offered in today’s video.