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C4 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, October 18, 2000 B e s t W h e e l s O a k v i l l e Ford Escape speedy surprise I was expecting Ford's newest more of a "crossover" vehicle. pocket SUV, the Escape, to Instead of being a pure truck, it be utilitarian, but what I combines the attributes of SUV and sedan for those who want wasn't expecting was speed. While it may look like a more security under varying "sport cute" on the outside, the road conditions, but will never Escape XLT tested here with a take their Escape into the back3.0-litre V6 fairly sprung off the woods. The Escape is built alongside line at green lights and came up the Mazda Tribute in a to speed swiftly on plant in Missouri that super highways like J IM used to build the Ford a sports sedan. Contour and Mercury It felt like there ROBINSON Mystique. Borrowing was a lot more than bits from both Mazda the as-advertised and Ford parts bins, 200 hp under the both cars share the hood. same mechanicals Another surprise underneath, but are was sound quality. surprisingly different The Escape was fit in character. It's like ted with the MACH the Lincoln LS and the sound system I've Jaguar S-Type. They enjoyed so much in are identical under the previous Mustangs now augmented R o a d W o r t h y skin, but worlds apart _____ in temperament and with an in-dash sixCD changer. It was possible to character. Where the Mazda has more really enjoy the music instead of trying to pick out tunes between stylish lines, the Escape is pure the cacophony of straining Ford SUV. It's obvious this truck engine, whirring driveline and springs from same loins that road howl from knobby-tread begat the Explorer in 1991. In tires that was, until now it fact, the XLT tested here in seems, one of the tradeoffs of green and tan interior reminded me (except for the noise) of the owning a sport utility truck. While the Escape is showing Eddie Bauer version Explorer up in Ford showrooms now as tested on these pages seven the latest in the Blue Oval's years ago. The Escape will be offered selection of SUVs, the Escape is The lines of the 2001 Ford Escape XLT leave no doubt that it is one of the Ford lineup of sport utility trucks. with front- or four-wheel-drive and in three versions, XLS FWD, XLS 4WD, and XLT 4WD. Basic engine is the fourcylinder, 2.0-litre Zetec produc ing 130 hp and 135 ft/lb of torque coupled to a five-speed, front-drive transaxle. The V6 is the four-cam Duratec that produces 200 hp and 200 ft/lb of torque and it is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Prices for the Escape begin at $20,245 for the basic XLS, $22,895 for the XLS 4WD and $28,695 for the XLT 4WD. My test XLT also had the optional MACH sound system, side bars and a power sunroof that pushes the price point a shade over $32,000. Fuel economy is 9.4L/100 km com bined for the Zetec and 11.2L/100 km combined for the Duratec. The fuel consumption allows the Escape to be certified as a LEV (low emission vehi cle). The Control Trac II4WD system is interesting because it uses a rotary knob just to the right of the steering wheel column. It lets the driver chose automatic four-wheel-drive or 4X4 lock. In automatic, it is more like all wheel drive in that most of the grip is at the front wheels in normal conditions. If these should start to slip, sensors redistribute- power to the rear where this is more traction. In 4X4 lock, all four wheels get the same power. This is especially good in snow or deep mud/slush and preferable to all-wheel-drive in these con ditions because each wheel can dig in. Suspension is indepen dent with extremely long link arms at the rear. Anti lock brakes are standard on the XLT and available on the XLS. The XLS at $20,245 is nicely equipped with roof rack, 15-inch all-season wheels and tires and the AM/FM comes with a CD changer. There is a fold flat rear seats (60/40 split on the XLT). The XLT adds stan dard ABS, fog lamps, 16inch wheels and tires, air conditioning and the Control Trac II system. Other options include side step bars and a Class II trailer tow available on the V6 and good for 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) or about the same as a personal watercraft and trail er. On the 16-inch wheels, the Escape certainly sits high and proud. The advan tage, of course is vision ahead. While I get com plaints when I say this makes women, in particular, feel more secure, it is a bonus for any driver. Being able to see far ahead allowed me to get off at the Keele ramp of Hwy. 407 the other morning when I could see cars about a mile ahead all grinding to a stop. People also seemed to know that this was (a) a new SUV and (b) it was a Ford. It shows that (a) consumers are much more in tune- with the move to SUVs and (b) they have been personally researching their preferences and know the differences between makes at a glance. Another journalist (who thinks SUVs are silly) told me the Escape is the first such vehicle he might con sider owning. Citing visibili ty, acceptable (for a SUV) fuel consumption, and the ability to seat five comfort ably, he noted it did every thing an upper tier sedan can do with the added security of 4X4 Lock and all for under thirty grand. Like Ford did with the Explorer, they stand ready to steal a march on others rush ing to market with crossover vehicles not just by being first to market, but by including Escape in a whole range of SUVs that appeal to most needs and all pocketbooks. It looks like another win ner for Ford. EXIT #116 JUST Off THE DORVAL EXIT FROM QEW! OAKVILLE 1 ________ i___ Is El I 1 1 f r 1 s n tM H ) W*cra*U ® *| 191WYECR0FTRD. OAKVILLE 905- 844-9831 w w w .oakviUehonda,com Get our best financing offer of the year on new in-stock 2000 Explorer, Taurus and most F-150. Night driving ftps Look as far ahead as you can. If you can see an object that might present a hazard, assume that it will, and slow down until you are absolutely certain it is not a hazard. Keep your wind shield clean. A windshield that is dirty inside or outside causes glare, decreasing visibility. Windshield wipers that leave streaks or chatter across the windshield also decrease visibility and should be replaced. Clean properly aligned headlights are also very important for identifying hazards. Avoid over-driving your headlights. When an object becomes illuminated by your headlights, you should be driving slow enough to stop your car safely without hitting it Make sure other drivers can see you. Keep your tail-lights, turn signals, and brake lights clean and in good working order. It only takes a moment to walk around the car to check these sys tems. Have someone sit inside the car to operate the lights, brakes and turn signals. Or it's easy to check yourself in an enclosed area. Use your high beams, but don't forget to dim them for on-coming traffic or cars in front of you. MOST 2000 F-150 Canada's BEST-selllng truck lor 34 years" 4.2L V6 Engine or choose optional 4.6L or 5.4L V8 Engine with the most torque in its class · AM/FM Stereo with available Cassette and CD · SecuriLockTM Anti-Theft System · SuperCab with standard 4-doors · Removeable Tailgate · Rear Anti-Lock Brakes · Power Steering · Second Generation Dual Air Bags · Optional 4x4 Off-Road Package ALL 2000 TAURUS Canada's BEST-selllng car In Its class" 3.0L 2V 6 Cylinder Engine · 4-Speed Automatic Transmission · 6-Passenger Seating · AM/FM Stereo with Cassette · SecuriLockTM Anti-Theft System · Remote Keyless Entry · Tilt Steering · Dual-Stage `Smart' Air Bags · Air Conditioning · Optional Power Adjustable Pedals ALL 2000 EXPLORER Canada's BEST-selllng SUW* V6 or V8 Engine · Air Conditioning · Available 5-Speed Automatic with Overdrive · SecuriLockTM Anti-Theft System · Power Windows, Mirrors and Locks · 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System · Second Generation Dual Air Bags · Illuminated Entry System · Child Proof Rear Door Locks The Taurus has earned five stars - the highest possible U.S. Governm ent crash test rating - for front impact for both driver and front passenger - tw o years in a row ." NO PAYMENTS TIL MAR 2001 4 DAYS ONLY!!! THURSDAY OCT 19 9AM ·9PM FRIDAY OCT 20 9AM -9PM SATURDAY OCT 21 9AM -6PM SUNDAY OCT 22 10AM-6PM NO DEALERS ALLOWED ALL TRADES WELCOME " H opaym entstilM a r2001 isfo r fin a n cin go n ly ,O U C .S u b ject toch a n g e. 6.9 %fin a n cin glim it m axim umS20.000136m onthterm ,C M CO ffergoodfromO ct 1 9 -2 2 ,2 0 00. SEE OUR FLYER IN TODAY'S OAKVILLE BEAVER D U N O A SST. 5 i 900 $ 1ii n< m m S flW r 1 IHIHi i.iH LIMITED TIME OFFER YOUR ONTARIO WM i U S T O M E R C R E D I TO N N E W N S I 0 C K2 0 0 0M U S T A N G * www.ford.ca/otters FORD DEALERS. W IS E BU YERS R E A D T H E L E G A L COPY: purchase frnancrng o r newin-slcx* 2000Taun.-s'?90C Expterer-2000 F-150 e | ______ I to retail customers, on approved credit. E g. $15,000 financed at 0.9% annual percentage rate for 48 months, monthly payment is $318.27, cost o borrowing is $276.96 and Iota) to be repaid is $15,276.96. Down payment or equivalent trade may be required, based on approved credit. Financing not , ' `` Credrt paid to dealer Lim ited time otters. Otters may be cancelled at any tim e without notice. See Dealer for d etails.' fighway Traffic Safety Administration testing (www.nhtsa.com) Based on retail registrations year to date R.L. Polk Registration i Box 2000, O akville, Ontario L6J 5E4 Jfe A I i Q EW < --T O H H N .T O N T 0 M B S 6 S A U G A-- * 4315 N. Service Rd., Burlington · Local (905) 331-8500 · Tor & Miss (905) 257-8500 s