Ford to Unveil 2009 Escape and Mercury Mariner
For all big automobile companies it’s a show of their fuel-efficient technologies at the Washington Auto Show, which is heavily attended by government and political leaders. Yet Ford had a different agenda for the same. It will unveil its latest version of the Escape. The gas-electric hybrid comes power-packed with new features and improved power and performance. Even its corporate twin, the 2009 Mercury Mariner will be unveiled in the same fervor soon.
The 2008 version of both the vehicles are said to offer between 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway depending on the engine configuration. But with the 2009 version of both the cars you are assured of fuel efficiency for the gasoline which would increase by 1 mpg. Both the gasoline and hybrid versions of the Escape and Mariner will have a new 2.5-liter engine. The engine is said to boost power by 11 percent to 170 horsepower. But that’s not all. The gasoline versions will also offer an optional 230-hp, 3.0-liter V6 engine with similar gains in fuel economy.
But there is a sudden fad in the factories of various automakers. Majority of the automakers have taken a keen interest in hybrid plug-in cars. Many companies are cracking the code for plug-in hybrids that could allow owners to plug the vehicle’s battery into a standard wall outlet to recharge it.
The technology is fool-proof but whether they make it to the showrooms depends on the industry’s ability to mass produce the batteries and on customer reviews. Though skeptics have their own view Greg Frenette, chief engineer of Ford’s plug-in program, said “This isn’t a moon-shot. Within the next five years, we ought to know whether we can produce these batteries cost-effectively.”
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