Ford Escort to return as 100 MPG hybrid in 2011?

[Wiyosaya]

Well the Ford Escort may return to the Ford lineup. According to Next Energy Ford is working on a new 100 mpg plug-in hybrid for 2011 that will be named the Escort.[/b]

Full article

Is this just Ford marketing hype (like we are seeing from GM these days)? Or does Ford realize that hydrogen is not the winning proposition that W thinks it is?

Personally, I won't hold my breath over this one, but more power to them if there is truth to this report and Ford actually does it.

[Tideland Prius]

Well Ford has been bringing back names it likes to kill off...Thunderbird, Taurus... Escort might be next.

[nerfer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 26 2007, 10:23 AM) [snapback]517889[/snapback]</div>

Well Ford has been bringing back names it likes to kill off...Thunderbird, Taurus... Escort might be next.
[/b]

Ford had this silly policy where all Ford-branded cars had to start with 'F', so the Escort name was dropped in favor of the Focus. Five hundred, Fusion, etc. Mercury cars started with M. But that's ended, so they can bring back their popular names with name-brand recognition now.

[Sarge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Sep 26 2007, 12:26 PM) [snapback]517930[/snapback]</div>

Ford had this silly policy where all Ford-branded cars had to start with 'F', so the Escort name was dropped in favor of the Focus. Five hundred, Fusion, etc. Mercury cars started with M. But that's ended, so they can bring back their popular names with name-brand recognition now.
[/b]

That's funny... I never even realized their line-up was all F's. I did notice all their SUV's were E's, though (Escape, Edge, Explorer, Expedition, Excursion). I guess the 'Freestyle' is considered a "crossover" rather than SUV and didn't get to have an E.

I find these press releases irritating, as the manufacturer's only purpose in such things is to get their name in the news for no good reason. I mean, a press release for a "cutting edge" product you plan to release in THREE to FOUR years? Gimme a break. In any technology-driven industry, the playing field changes quite dramatically over a time period like that, and it is highly unlikely the final product (if it ever happens) will ever reach market resembling anything like what was announced that long ago...

4 years ago, the (Classic) Prius was generally considered a niche car for hardcore environmentalists and eccentrics and generally dismissed by other manufacturers (except maybe Honda). Today, the Prius is one of the most successful cars in the USA that many other manufacturers are chasing, to the point they are regularly seen on TV shows as 'regular' cars, etc...

How things change...

[SureValla]

Right now its safe to say our prii have the best milage and lowest emissions of anycar on the road (w/ the exception of the insight which you cant buy anymore) so I have a feeling i am going to be extremely jealous of any car that comes out in the future with anything higher.

[RonH]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Sep 26 2007, 11:26 AM) [snapback]517930[/snapback]</div>

Ford had this silly policy where all Ford-branded cars had to start with 'F', so the Escort name was dropped in favor of the Focus. Five hundred, Fusion, etc. Mercury cars started with M. But that's ended, so they can bring back their popular names with name-brand recognition now.
[/b]

I was always amused at Chevy's branding: Camaro, Chevelle, Corvair, Corvette, Chevy II and some others not worth mentioning. Toyota used to be on a "C" kick: Corona, Corolla, Camry, Celica, Cressida; perhaps part of their "beat 'em by copying 'em, but better" phase.

[justlurkin]

More Chevy name-alliteration madness:

Citation (Can't believe I used to drive that piece of garbage)
Caprice (The vehicle of choice for "five-o" in the early '90s before Ford Crown Vickies took over)
Chevette
Cavalier
Corsa
Corsica (the car infamous for peeling paint)
Corvair (much maligned)
Cobalt (One would think "chromium" would be a more appropriate element to name a chevy after!)


I didn't even notice Ford's attempt at alliterating their vehicle names, considering that for the longest time they didn't bother. Apparently the public was unmoved too, considering how Ford was forced to rename the Five Hundred back to good ol' Taurus.. :P

Back to topic: 100mpg Ford Escort hybrid? I'm dubious... Does Ford even have a hybrid drive development effort underway? We are hearing all sorts of hoopla surrounding GM/DCX/BMW's billion-dollar 2-mode development efforts, but nary a peep from Ford. If it took those three automakers to bodge together a "2-mode" system, I wonder what Ford would hope to accomplish on its own.

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RonH @ Sep 26 2007, 07:00 PM) [snapback]518262[/snapback]</div>

I was always amused at Chevy's branding: Camaro, Chevelle, Corvair, Corvette, Chevy II and some others not worth mentioning. Toyota used to be on a "C" kick: Corona, Corolla, Camry, Celica, Cressida; perhaps part of their "beat 'em by copying 'em, but better" phase.
[/b]

Don't forget the Crown (note Crown and Camry are almost identical in meaning).

There's also the Carina-E.

[hill]

Wow. 2011 you say. Who knew. Just think, they'll be where the Prius was, just four years after the fact.

[HeyKB]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JustLurkin @ Sep 26 2007, 10:37 PM) [snapback]518278[/snapback]</div>

Back to topic: 100mpg Ford Escort hybrid? I'm dubious... Does Ford even have a hybrid drive development effort underway? We are hearing all sorts of hoopla surrounding GM/DCX/BMW's billion-dollar 2-mode development efforts, but nary a peep from Ford. If it took those three automakers to bodge together a "2-mode" system, I wonder what Ford would hope to accomplish on its own.
[/b]

The Escape hybrid is actually quite good, though pricy.

If they take the next step and use their hybrid engine to produce a high mileage, medium priced car, they'll get a lot of attention and probably make a buck or two.

Naaaahhhh - what a silly idea.