Photo: Newspressusa.com
The 13th Beijing International Automobile Exhibition marks the global debut of Ford's long-awaited Escort compact sedan, as well as the unveiling of the Everest Concept. The Escort will join the company's best-selling Focus to provide more choices for consumers in China's compact car segment, while the Everest Concept prefigures a future seven-seat medium-sized SUV that would strengthen the Blue Oval's lineup in China.
Even though the American manufacturer already offers the Focus sedan on the Chinese market, the all-new Escort sedan was designed specifically to meet the needs of Chinese consumers. This model will extend Ford's offerings in the fast-growing compact car segment, which accounts for more than 25 percent of the region's total vehicle industry.
"Even as the Ford Focus remains the best-selling nameplate in China, we recognize that many consumers in China are looking for something else in a compact car," said Luo Minggang, executive president, Changan Ford Automobile. "The Ford Escort is the answer to the question of what these consumers really want and value in a car for themselves and their families."
On the design front, the elongated, jeweled headlamps along with the distinctive inverted trapezoidal grille give the Escort's front fascia an identity of its own. Moving around the side, designers extended the wheelbase and pushed back the A-pillar to create more athletic, premium proportions.
At the rear, tail lamps that echo the headlamp design are embraced by an elegant line that creates a sculpted shoulder. Throughout the design, crisp edges and harmonious details add to a refined and elegant appearance, setting the model apart from the Focus sedan.
As expected from a car built specifically for the Chinese market, the inviting cabin features exceptional second-row legroom and design elements more typically seen in more premium vehicles. Located above the vehicle's center console, the Device Dock is the Escort's way to store, mount and charge devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation system, seamlessly integrating them into the in-car entertainment system.
Under the hood you'll find an efficient 1.5-liter four-pot Ti-VCT engine. Unfortunately, Ford hasn't revealed any performance or mpg figures, but Ford promises "outstanding fuel economy and smooth power delivery." As for the Ti-VCT acronym, it stands for Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, allowing precise, variable control of "valve overlap". For the driver, this means improved low-speed torque, increased fuel economy and greater power, all while delivering lower emissions.
Built on Ford's global C-car platform, the all-new Escort will be manufactured in China through Changan Ford (CAF). "With its smart, safe and green features, the all-new Ford Escort is a compelling and attainable addition to China's compact car segment, and a sign of how Ford continues to go further to serve customers old and new in markets around the world," said Marin Burela, president, Changan Ford Automobile.
Moving on to the Everest Concept, this vehicle offers a sneak peek at a future model to be produced and sold in China by Ford's JMC joint venture. Created by the Blue Oval's Asia Pacific design team in Australia, the Everest features sleek, sophisticated design cues.
Exterior design is dominated by robust, chunky angular lines, as well as the prominent inverted trapezoid front grille, swept back headlamps, chiseled tail lamps over a negative scallop and the big alloy wheels.
Ford is keeping quiet about interior and mechanical details for now, but certain reports hint that the production-ready Everest will share its underpinnings with the Ranger pickup truck.
"The Ford Everest Concept shows how we envision cementing our leadership in the SUV segment with a rugged and versatile vehicle that combines stunning design with the promise of incredible off-road capability," said John Lawler, chairman and CEO of Ford China. "We see a strong market in China for a vehicle like the Ford Everest Concept, which would expand and complement our existing world-class family of SUVs."
"Even as the Ford Focus remains the best-selling nameplate in China, we recognize that many consumers in China are looking for something else in a compact car," said Luo Minggang, executive president, Changan Ford Automobile. "The Ford Escort is the answer to the question of what these consumers really want and value in a car for themselves and their families."
On the design front, the elongated, jeweled headlamps along with the distinctive inverted trapezoidal grille give the Escort's front fascia an identity of its own. Moving around the side, designers extended the wheelbase and pushed back the A-pillar to create more athletic, premium proportions.
As expected from a car built specifically for the Chinese market, the inviting cabin features exceptional second-row legroom and design elements more typically seen in more premium vehicles. Located above the vehicle's center console, the Device Dock is the Escort's way to store, mount and charge devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation system, seamlessly integrating them into the in-car entertainment system.
Built on Ford's global C-car platform, the all-new Escort will be manufactured in China through Changan Ford (CAF). "With its smart, safe and green features, the all-new Ford Escort is a compelling and attainable addition to China's compact car segment, and a sign of how Ford continues to go further to serve customers old and new in markets around the world," said Marin Burela, president, Changan Ford Automobile.
Moving on to the Everest Concept, this vehicle offers a sneak peek at a future model to be produced and sold in China by Ford's JMC joint venture. Created by the Blue Oval's Asia Pacific design team in Australia, the Everest features sleek, sophisticated design cues.
Exterior design is dominated by robust, chunky angular lines, as well as the prominent inverted trapezoid front grille, swept back headlamps, chiseled tail lamps over a negative scallop and the big alloy wheels.
"The Ford Everest Concept shows how we envision cementing our leadership in the SUV segment with a rugged and versatile vehicle that combines stunning design with the promise of incredible off-road capability," said John Lawler, chairman and CEO of Ford China. "We see a strong market in China for a vehicle like the Ford Everest Concept, which would expand and complement our existing world-class family of SUVs."
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