Escort debuts at NEC
Page 10
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The latest Escort van, Ford's first all-new commercial vehicle since the 1986 Transit, makes its official debut at the NEC Motor Show next month. Based on the Escort hatchback it has the same frontal design and running gear but a longer wheelbase at 2,598mm, up from 2,501mm on the old model.
Payload for the new model is 590kg for the Escort 40 and 780kg for the 60 version, replacing the old three model lineup. This gives the Escort "best in class" status on payload, topping Vauxhall's Astramax by 70kg and ousting the Citroen Visa C15D 765 from top slot.
Body volume is up 12% to 2.54m3, again bettering the Astramax. As predicted in Commercial Motor 2-8 August, the Combi model has been dropped, leaving one bodyshell for the van range.
Also dropped from the new range is the 1.6-litre petrol engine, replaced by the fuel injected 1.4-litre CFi with closed loop three-way cataytic convertor, the first cat-equipped Ford light CV. The remaining 1.3litre, and 1.4-litre petrol and 1.8-diesel are all carried over from the old model. Production split is also carried over from current levels — 70% diesel and 30% petrol.
Other new features include 180° opening doors, with narrower door pillars and "fridge door" style hinges. The loadbed length at 1,828mm is the same as the old model but new angled rear dampers give more width between the wheelarches 1,170mm up from 1,000mm.
The rear suspension has been uprated to cope with the extra load. Twin-leaf progressive rate springs give a smoother ride when empty, claims Ford, by using the second leaf only when the vehicle is more heavily loaded.
The Escort will be available with two trim levels, Popular and Standard and will go on sale on 27 November.