Sporty new ST-Line
The Ford Escape SUV lineup will be expanded next month when a sports theme ST-Line model reaches the New Zealand market.
The addition of the ST-Line will be accompanied by Autonomous Emergency Braking being introduced as standard equipment across the six model Escape range from September 2018 — including the entry-level Escape Ambiente for the first time.
“New Zealanders continue to pivot towards the practicality and versatility of trucks and SUVs, yet there’s a genuine passion for sports and performance models here, too,” said Ford New Zealand managing director Simon Rutherford.
“Safety is a top priority for New Zealanders and they now look and require for high levels of equipment in their vehicles,” said Rutherford.
“The Escape joins the new 2018 Mustang as having AEB standard, and we’ve also announced AEB will be available on soon-to-arrive models including the 2019 Everest as well as the 2019 Ranger, Transit Custom and the all-new Focus.”
The new ST-Line model boasts all-wheel-drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and the 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo engine which develops 178kW and 345Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.6L/100km in the ADR combined cycle.
The 2018 Ford Escape ST-Line has bold exterior styling with 18-inch Absolute Black alloy wheels matched to the front grille, foglamp surrounds, roof rails and rear valence to reflect its athletic stance.
It will also offer the sportiest Escape driving dynamics yet, with chassis enhancements including optimised suspension that lowers the ride-height by 10mm along with re-tuned steering and thicker antiroll bars for reduced body roll and sharper responses.
A sports seat design features a new leather combination trim with detailed red-stitching to match the ST-Line logo. Red stitching is also seen on the gear-lever, as well as the armrests and the ST-Line steering wheel. Stainless steel pedals match the unique scuff plates and ST-Line floor mats.
The Escape ST-Line equipment level brings additional Driver Assist Technology to customers. With AEB as standard equipment on all Escapes, the ST-Line also features Smart Keyless Entry, front parking sensors, Enhanced Active Park Assist, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Enhanced Active City Stop (Low Speed AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keeping Aid (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and a hands-free power tailgate with “Open Sesame” function.
The ST-Line has front and rear parking sensors, an 8.0-inch full colour reversing camera display and its Enhanced Active Park Assist enables auto parallel and perpendicular parking.
The SYNC 3 infotainment system is standard across the Escape lineup and includes in-built voice activation, native sat-nav as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. SYNC 3 can be operated by steering-wheel mounted controls, or via a steeringwheel mounted voice activation button. Apple users can also enable Siri for iPhone functions to reduce distraction and save time fumbling for buttons.
The Escape ST-Line goes on sale with the updated 2019 Escape lineup in September with pricing from $38,480 for the entry level Ambiente front-wheel-drive model with the 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.
The single diesel model boasts the flagship Titanium grade specification and the 132kW 2.0-litre TDCi Duratorq engine priced at $54,990.