FORD ESCORT

OVERVIEW

Manufacturer: Ford Europe

Production: January 1968–July 2002

• Body and Chassis

Class: Small family car (C)

Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1967–1981, 1987)

             Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (1980–2004)

             Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (1990–2004)

Related: Ford Orion

• Chronology

Predecessor: Ford Anglia (UK)

Successor: Ford Focus

                  Ford Laser (Australasia)

                  Ford Meteor (Australia)

                  Ford Transit Connect (for Escort van)

                  Ford Escort (China)

HISTORY

The Ford Escort is a small family car which was manufactured by Ford of Europe from 1968 until 2000. The Ford Escort name was also applied to several small car types produced in North America by Ford between 1981 and 2000.

In 2014, Ford revived the Escort name for a car based on the second-generation Ford Focus sold on the Chinese market.

The Escort was frequently the best selling car in Britain during the 1980s and 1990s. A total of more than 4.1 million Escorts of all generations were sold there over a period of 33 years.

DESIGN

Externally it is quite obviously derived from the old Ford Focus salon, but there’s just enough uniqueness to give it a separate identity while incorporating the latest Ford DNA with features like the latest Ford family grille.

Inside, the major feature on the dashboard is a control panel for the infotainment system. This is similar in style to the current UK Fiesta’s, but has slightly larger buttons than the fiddly mobile phone-derived keypad in that car.

No touchscreen system is available, even on the top-of-the range Trend trim, which seems an amazing oversight in tech-addicted China when such systems are available aftermarket for as little as £20.

Instead, as standard, there’s a removable cradle to mount a smartphone on the dash with a USB charger hidden underneath. This might be an acceptable solution on the base model but for the money the range-topper demands, you expect more.

Materials are of good quality, with plenty of soft plastics, while the build – as you’d expect from Ford – also feels strong. Leather upholstery is standard, with both light and dark finishes available.

There’s just enough head room for passengers of around 1.8m tall in the back, and leg room is adequate. While the boot is a decent size, the floor covering does not fully extend to the lip, leaving part of the spare wheel exposed. Furthermore, cost saving means the rear seats are not split-folding.

Safety is an area that hasn’t been scrimped on, though. This Trend trim comes with six airbags and Isofix child seat attachments.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE FORD ESCORT

The name is a surprising choice as none of the original Escorts were ever officially sold in China, and so unlike in Europe there is no heritage on which to generate sales. 

The Escort is available with only a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is used to power the Fiesta in China, and is coupled to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. While the engine is adequate for the car’s size and weight, it does nothing to excite.

Sports mode on the automatic allows gear changes via buttons mounted on the drive selector. However, this seems to add little if anything to the driving experience. There is a lot of engine noise when accelerating, particularly in Sports mode, but never much actual acceleration. At least the gear changes themselves are seamless enough.

With its dynamics based on the old Focus, traction is good and handling is adept. The steering is well weighted and precise, although suspension settings are on the soft side to compensate for China’s poor road conditions. Road noise is well insulated.

The other problem is its price – at £12,583 it just doesn’t seem cheap enough. While it was designed specifically with Chinese consumers in mind, it feels more like a car aimed at emerging markets, like its closest rival the Peugeot 301. 

HOW TO MAINTANCE OF YOUR FORD?

A few frequently asked questions about the Escort:

What happens if my Ford Escort spark plugs fail? Replace spark plugs on time or about every 30,000 miles or so. Without the spark of electricity created by spark plugs, your engine doesn’t have the combustion it needs to start — which could leave you stranded on the road. Always replace your spark plugs on time based on Ford’s recommendations.

What does a puddle underneath my Ford Escort mean? Puddles could indicate that your vehicle is leaking coolant, oil, or brake fluid. Ignoring these leaks can lead to permanent engine damage, so address these symptoms ASAP with a tune-up service.

Are hard starts and stops bad for my Ford Escort engine? Hard stops and starts can lead to premature wear on your engine’s components. Lighten up that lead foot and opt for steady, fluid starts and stops instead.

Source: wikipedia, vehicle.firestonecompleteautocare, autocar.co