The Ford Escape Hybrid is a fuel-saving, gas-electric hybrid-performance version of small, four-door sport-utility car, available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4x4). Its performance train has 2.3-liter, four-cylinder gasoline motor rated 133 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 129 pounds-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm; synchronous AC electric motor rated 94 hp from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm; 330-volt battery pack under rear cargo floor; electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission. Maximum power output is 155 hp because gasoline and electric do not make their maximum performance simultaneously.

It has a 2.3-liter, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gas motor with a 70-kilowatt permanent-magnet traction electric motor, regenerative braking and a 330-volt battery pack. The combination provides performance on par with a V-6. The hybrid never has to be plugged in because the engine recharges the batteries, by the electric motor and by heat recovered as energy during braking.

"The Escape hybrid really "wants" to be an electric auto, but the fuel motor adds performance for acceleration, charges the batteries and powers the air conditioning," said Mary Ann Wright, Ford's director of Sustainable Mobility Programs

Unlike electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles never need to be plugged into a recharger. Regenerative braking recharges the Ford Escape Hybrid, which converts electric motor into a generator to help refill the battery pack during stops; and by a recharging system powered by the gasoline power plant.

Designed to last for the life of the auto and can be found under the Escape's cargo floor, the battery pack, which contains 250 small batteries roughly the size of D cells mounted in series doesn't infringe on cargo space.

The software and computerized controllers that make everything work effectively is the key to a hybrid. Small badges identify the Ford Escape as a hybrid. The instrument panel is a little different because it contains a gauge that shows when the electric motor is the source of performance and when the fuel motor is running. An optional LCD display in the center stack gives instant and average fuel conservation as well as a pictorial representation of how the performance is flowing at any instant.

The Escape's hybrid motor shuts down at rest to conserve fuel. When driving resumes, the SUV's 70-kilowatt traction motor generator can launch the auto on electric performance. When it's needed, the generator starts the gasoline motor without the increased emissions produced when a conventional motor is started The Escape Hybrid also produces as little as half the amount of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) as a typical fuel motor. It produces 97 percent less hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emissions than cars and trucks meeting today’s required emission standards. That qualifies it for the Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Auto (AT-PZEV) standards designation.

Being the leader in the development of low emission cars, trucks and suvs, Ford continually develops projects that will someday result in practical hydrogen-powered vehicles with no greenhouse gasoline emissions. As zealous as Ford in continually upgrading its products to suit every client needs, Partstrain is always searching for superior and quality workmanship for its product lines. Only the finest Ford auto body parts comprise its stock.

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