An Escort into the future
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• Now Ford has released photos of the new Escort car models, speculation has increased on the styling of the van versions. Like its predecessors, the van will share its range of petrol and diesel engines with the cars; they will probably be closely related to the powerplants in the current models. A high-roof version to compete with the Vauxhall Astramax, which has been gaining market share at the Escort's expense, must be a likely addition.
The current Escort also lags behind the Astra vans in the payload stakes, and an increased allowance would make the new model more competitive. Current class leader is the Citroen Visa C15D765 with a 765kg capacity, and Ford may even have its sights on that. With tighter emissions controls looming, it is also likely that a catalyst option will be offered for the first time on an Escort van.
Other revisions may include the axing of the Combi model, based on the estate car body shell. It has taken less than 6% of total Escort van sales to the end of June; statistics that will not please Ford's marketing department. Most of these are 1,300cc Popular versions, with diesel models accounting for just 6% of these sales. Most Combi buyers are in the retail trade and Ford would hope that the greater flexibility of the purpose-built van will retain present Combi buyers as new van customers.
Minor changes will probably include better trimmed cabs and more equipment.