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Comments
Remember that for crash test safety mass matters!
The battery array in the Escape will be in the rear under the cargo floor and, because of it's size and mass, will help out in a crash more than any temp spare would.
If you think about it it makes perfect sense. I'm sure we'll see a more solid answer to this question as next July approaches though.
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=16755&ma- ke_id=trust
Source: Ford Media
http://media.ford.com/products/press_article_display.cfm?article_- id=16802&vehicle_id=1004&make_id=92
It's cool, they are totally silent at low speeds, it feels very luxurious. Plus the Prius has 295 lb-ft of torque at idle, so it steps off smartly.
Another cool thing? The $2000 tax deduction can amount to $800 if you're in the 40% tax bracket, but more importantly, you don't pay state tax in MD, at least. That's 5%.
For a $25,000 vehicle, that saves you $1250! If you're in the right tax bracket, you save $2 grand. That might even make prices about the same.
Depends on where you live, of course, but that's a big deal!
-juice
Since a handful of Prius owners have reported towing small utility trailers using the less powerful version (258 lbs torque), "can't really" is not an accurate description. "should not" is probably the phrase you were looking for.
JOHN
The concern actually revolves around the cooling aspect. Even though the battery-pack, inverter, and electric-motor can handle the power requirements just fine, it's what to do with the heat after pulling the load for too long. In fact, that was a reason Ford sighted as causing one of the delays for the Escape-Hybrid debut. They wanted to insure cooling needs had been properly handled. Those electric components get very hot when fully utilized.
JOHN
-juice
-juice
But you guys are right, nobody is perfect in this regard. I'm still interested in the Escape Hybrid. We'll see.
Look, I like Fords, but I don't ONLY buy Fords. I just think they tend to get more than their share of bashing, and I don't really understand why. I don't see much difference between them and myriad other manufacturers of autos. The Lawyers call all the shots anyway in any large American corporation. It's all about the acceptable risk of doing business.
Odds are, BTW, I'll never buy a Hybrid though. Just doesn't make sense to me to power a car with two separate propulsion systems. I guess I'm dense.
I'm wondering though - will there be a Mercury or better yet a Lincoln version of the Escape Hybrid?
-juice
Maybe Address is in the 500 Forum The 500 is not a Taurus replacement, although some might grow into it, than an offering like the Crown Vic. And considering it'll be priced a bit over $25K, I see the price very reachable considering the amount of engineering and techonology involved.
-juice
I can't wait to see some hybrid SUV's on the road!
Second, full hybrids (that use HSD anyway) don't use the battery-pack anywhere near as much as most people think. Much of the time, the electricity is actually supplied for the engine instead. It is simply generated on-the-fly rather than having to draw from the battery-pack. Not getting used as much is definitely a benefit.
Third, the battery-pack is never allowed to be deep-discharged. That is the primary cause of short life. Keeping within the safe charging/draining cycle limitations means the pack will last a very, very long time.
After studying the design then driving around for a few thousand miles in one, you'll discover the expectation of *NEVER* having to replace the pack is actually realistic.
And if you don't believe that, just focus on the fact that you wouldn't need to replace the whole thing anyway. Modules can be individually replaced. (Prius has 28 inside.)
JOHN
The '05's spare is now a full size spare and resides under the rear of the vehicle. Just like the Explorer's or Trailblazer's. The Hybrid's should be in the same place if I'm not mistaken.
What about Fords?
See my link for more photos and open link there on left side either links or photos.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/FordEscapeHybrid2005PressKitL- ink
The gas mileage is as to be expected, slightly piggish, but liveable. This hybrid definitely piques my interest, but all they talk about is the 'city mileage' savings, stop and go traffic, etc. Will a hybrid offer me any fuel effeciency on the highway? Will it just be using the motor like my current vehicle does? I know when I coast the electric would kick in, but I really don't think I coast much on the highway.
TIA
http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2004_newyork/escape/info.doc
It's a document that will open on Word/Excel, source; Autoweek.com
Paul
I think he was pushing for a $3000 credit to replace it but was turned down. I heard he's going to try again though.