The Escape Hybrid uses technology similar to that used in Toyota's Prius. It is make this hybrid SUV performance excellent. Ford engineers realized their technology may conflict with patents held by Toyota, which led to a 2004 patent-sharing accord between the companies, licensing Ford's use of some of Toyota's hybrid technology in exchange for Toyota's use of some of Ford's diesel and direct-injection engine technology. Both Ford and Toyota state that Ford received no technical assistance from Toyota in developing the hybrid powertrain, but that some hybrid engine technologies developed by Ford independently were found to be similar to technologies previously patented by Toyota. Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., a Japanese automotive components supplier belonging to the Toyota Group, supplies the hybrid continuously variable transmission for the Escape Hybrid. While Toyota produces its third-generation Prius transmission in-house, Aisin is the only supplier of hybrid transmissions to other manufacturers. Friction has arisen concerning Aisin's allocation of limited production capacity and engineering resources to Ford.
Sanyo Electric Co., which first produced hybrid car batteries in a joint venture with Honda,built the 50 kg (110 lb),330V 5.5 Ah (would make it 1.8kWh storage) , 250-cell nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack for the 2005 Escape Hybrid.
Production : 2008–present
Engine (s) 2008 : 2.3 L (140 cu in, 2261 cc)
2009 : 2.5 L (152 cu. in, 2488 cc) I4 DOHC 16-valve Atkinson cycle
Transmission(s) : Continuously variable transmission
Wheelbase : 103.1 in (2619 mm)
Length : 174.7 in (4437 mm)
Width : 71.1 in (1806 mm)
Height : 67.7 in (1720 mm)
Fuel capacity : 15.0 U.S. gal (57 L; 12.5 imp gal)
Hybrid SUV Reviews The Excellent Performance of Ford Escape Hybrid
