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Ford Readies Escape Extreme Makeover


ANTAUS

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I'm Suprised that the plant is closing for 6 months to retool...awfuly long time for vehicle that seems just to be getting a reskin....

 

I'm hoping for some drivetrain changes... The Escape needs a new tranny to be competitive, and the revised D30 from the Fusion would be nice too... (I doubt the Escape will see the D35, but then the competition has 3.5s now...)

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I'm hoping for some drivetrain changes... The Escape needs a new tranny to be competitive, and the revised D30 from the Fusion would be nice too... (I doubt the Escape will see the D35, but then the competition has 3.5s now...)

RAV4 really isn't in competition with the Escape anymore, it's more of a competitor with the Edge, just not as big or as nice.

 

...

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I'm Suprised that the plant is closing for 6 months to retool...awfuly long time for vehicle that seems just to be getting a reskin....

I agree. It's a shame there isn't more meat to this article. Certainly the phrase "extreme makeover" implies more than what this article mentions. I think we all hope the interior is going to get a makeover, it needs one. The article does contain an interesting factoid about how the Mazda dealers regard the Tribute and its place in their lineup WRT the CX-7. It helps to understand why the Tribute will most likely remain in the lineup.

Edited by Harley Lover
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I'm Suprised that the plant is closing for 6 months to retool...awfuly long time for vehicle that seems just to be getting a reskin....

 

 

Who said it was a "re-skin"???? The article clearly states 're-design'. And, don't expect "300 HP!" as some think all vehicles must have these days.

 

 

I am sure it will have some similar shapes in the body and some will cry, "It doesn't look different enough", even though they are not SUV buyers.

 

 

 

I wonder how this relates to the re-do of the Focus sedan/wagon, which is IIRC, also redone for 2K8.

 

More likely the same car gets a Fusion grille.

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The Austrailian/European Escape are the same as the NA Escape with the exception of some minor trim and powertrain choices... The agreement is that Ford will build Escapes and Tributes in the US for NA sales, and Mazda will produce them from global sales.

 

One thing I ddin't like is that the "experts" seemed to infer that the Escape is stuggling for sales. What's not noted is that the Escape sales losses are more than made up for the Mariner introduction... Escape/Mariner combined sales were UP ~5% last year. It's obvious the Escape losses were due to the Mariners introduction. And while I'm at it these same media lemmings have been pushing for Tribute's death for 4 yrs now... When will they get it? Why would Mazda kill 15% of its yearly sales? The Tribute is not only 20% less the price of a CX-7 it's 10in shorter. They can happily live in the same lineup... But there a reason they are media "experts" and working for a company.

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I'm Suprised that the plant is closing for 6 months to retool...awfuly long time for vehicle that seems just to be getting a reskin....

 

 

yeah, keep your fingers crossed for greater changes to the Esc if thats the case. :mellow:

 

must be 'cuz they're prepping for all-new Escape production starting 2007 (2008 model year)

Edited by bri719
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Who said it was a "re-skin"???? The article clearly states 're-design'. And, don't expect "300 HP!" as some think all vehicles must have these days.

 

 

Well call a spade a spade now...The "new" Escape is still based on its current platform, which in my eyes is just a Reskin of the the current product, which looks like just a new front end to me. I haven't spent time to see what the difference is on the sides or rear of the truck, but it looks like Greenhouse is still the same to me.

 

I'm sure we'll see the newer 221HP 3L from the Fusion in it and most likely the same 6 speed tranny as the Fusion also, because the Fusion and Milan are getting AWD, BUT no 3.5L, at least for the 2007 MY from what I can tell.

 

Its a nice update, but still 6 months for an update and not a totally new design? I guess we'll get that in 2011 or so...

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I'm questioning if there is room in Mazda's lineup for both the Tribute and CX-7. It seems to me that with the Tribute's lower price of admission, plus the fact that they both seat only five, the Tribute will eat into CX-7 sales. Maybe the Tribute will be the only one available with the hybrid powertrain ...

 

Also, does anyone else predict a name change to CX-5? Seems logical.

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I'm Suprised that the plant is closing for 6 months to retool...awfuly long time for vehicle that seems just to be getting a reskin....

 

Ford contacted our local and said that info is not true. There will be no shut down. Infact we will still be working alot of overtime.

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what no zebra stripes or leopard print?

 

oh well the pinstripes are still cool (heh heh). I saw a test vehicle in the city in So Cal today which was a real surprise, it sure looked a helluva lot like an Edge by the shape but who knows what it was. I was 150 feet away and going the other direction.

 

the last time I saw a random vehicle covered up was in Palmdale (CA) a couple months ago, I think it's toyota that develops and tests stuff up there

Edited by bri719
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Fordjoc, Does that mean the mph-online article is false?

 

Orlando, There's plenty of room for the Tribute and the CX-7... They are significantly different in size and price. that's like saying the Mazda3 and 6 can't exist in the same lineup. Tribute is 20% less expensive than the CX-7, 10in shorter than the CX-7.

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