Comments on: 2009 Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner get more power, fuel economy

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:58:00 +0000

planet drive- Get your head out of the ground, Ford has offered some of the most highest horsepower per liter engines in the world. Everything from the Escort to the RS200.

Not only that, but 240 horsepower out of a 2 liter from where? If your talking about the Honda S2000, then forget it. It only arranges 160 ft-ibs of torque from 2.2 liters, and I can say from personal experience, you sure don’t feel it. Sure, it’s got tons of get up and go, but up a really good steep climb it really looses steam, and gets so-so gas mileage (for a 2.2 liter, the gas mileage is horrendous).

By: autonut

autonut — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:40:06 +0000

I don’t think the torque is required from gasoline engine in hybrid configuration. Electric motor has huge torque from 0 rpm and this engine assists in acceleration. Once trucklette achieved desired velocity electric motor rests and gasoline low torque engine can keep the vehicle moving. When acceleration requested electric engine is engaged again. Ford even utilized 5 stroke engine for hybrid: low torque but economical. 2.5L 4 cylinder engine probably will provide decent mileage without extra cost of hybrid (see performance characteristics of 2.4 L engines in RAV-4 and CR-V)

By: S-60-driver

S-60-driver — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:17:23 +0000

don’t u all remember recently…… the “Eco-Boost” engine?? Ford is making a 2.0L Eco-boost with over 250 hp or something. It will come out in 2009 or 2010, i think. Im sure it will find into Fusion/Milan and others vehicles. Just hang on a little bit longer!!

What they are offering now is better than ancient 4 Speed with 200hp V6 engine! Just keep on improving till those SUVs recieve the Eco-Boost engines

By: kayne001

kayne001 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:47:58 +0000

Looking at the Honda Element it has a 166hp, 2.4 liter 4 cylinder. Looking at the Pilot, it has a V6
which Honda planet_drive are you talking about? A car perhaps?

By: Brendino

Brendino — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:47:34 +0000

They did this with the MKZ…wait a year and revise it to make it a lot better. Is this a good thing to do or not?

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:41:16 +0000

This wont be enough to stop the bleeding off of sales to RAV4, CRV and countless other new competition.

By: SS4LIFE

SS4LIFE — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:08:37 +0000

Oh snap…

By: MY Si

MY Si — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:03:50 +0000

ill start with your mom…. no wait shes ova here blowing my head off right now….

By: mazdaman

mazdaman — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:32:05 +0000

Six speed auto transmissions, more powerful engines, and an extremely slight gain in fuel efficiency; these are welcomed improvements for these two vehicles. It should carry them until an Escape replacement makes it to market (I still don’t think Mercury will be around to see a Mariner replacement, although I personally think it’s more attractive than either its Escape or Tribute clones). I just hope Ford doesn’t leave these vehicles on the market for another 4-6 years (3 years should be the maximum). The styling is still nice (especially the Mariner), but terribly dated. The updates should help counteract the dated styling for a while.

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:24:05 +0000

Toque people torque, this is an SUV not a freakin sports car. HP doesn’t mean anything to something that needs low end more. Towing capability morons.

By: gizmo2

gizmo2 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:18:12 +0000

My Honda friend, watch the RPM and torque. Manufactures play with HP numbers. VW is one of the best at getting high hp out of smaller engines and the only get 170 hp out of their 2.5L 5 cyl engine. Their 2.0L TURBO will get close to 240 hp in the GTI, so how did Honda squeeze 240 out of a 2.0L? Can you use a Honda Civic to pull a tractor trailer? I don’t care how good you are, the laws of physics come in somewhere.

By: doctrsnoop

doctrsnoop — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:45:05 +0000

I thought I’d never say this, but how about same hp, and more significant mpg increase.

By: Fletch

Fletch — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:32:19 +0000

Why is the engine set so far forward in the engine bay?

Better use a 25mm rear sway bar…

By: jonnycat

jonnycat — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:26:17 +0000

The torque in the Honda’s 2.0L would leave a lot to be desired in a 4000 lb suv, not matter what the hp is.

By: MikeFX

MikeFX — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:05:01 +0000

The Lambo 640 is a fine car. I was referring to poster LP640 who always seems to blow a load when he is the first poster.

Back on topic…I agree with first few comments that this all sounds good on paper, but the Escape is so old school in design. It could really use some kind of update, and not just assing rear tire spoilers, whatever those are.

By: Veda

Veda — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:53:34 +0000

MY Si, yea my bad, it’s been a long day. Ask Deanster, I thought he finally figured out what it means.

By: 441Zuke

441Zuke — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:47:24 +0000

i don’t think that a 2 liter engine would work good in an application like this the 2.5 is a better robust engine i think nissan uses a very similery displaced engine for the altima and sentra and the rogue too

By: MY Si

MY Si — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:41:58 +0000

Everyone knows what a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is……

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:41:57 +0000

The RAV-4 and CRV are pulling huge numbers, as this class has been the fastest growing segment in industry. The escape dominated its class 5 years ago and this is a year or two too late. It will help but the restyle last year is boring. But the CRV proves you can be ugly and still sell well in this class.
The 2.5L is the new base engine in Mazda6 and will be in countless other Ford and Mazda models.
6 spd will be biggest improvement.

By: Chris C.

Chris C. — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:41:06 +0000

Purely an observation and with no regard to engine performance, but Ford has some of the most unattractive engine bays. They do nothing to conceal the engine and its various tubes and wires. Given efficiency and performance being the same, I’d rather have the look of a current Lexus or Cadillac vehicle. That being a nice, finished out, clean plastic covered engine.

By: SS4LIFE

SS4LIFE — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:37:27 +0000

Actually Veda, I think MY SI knows what what a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is, MikeFX asked where “LP460″ was although I’m sure he was referring to LP640 and just switched the 6 and the 4.

Wow at least ford is also improving their engine technology. Something I thought was never one of their strong suites.

By: planet_drive

planet_drive — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:33:25 +0000

170hp from a 2.5 is absolutely garbage. Its like the other guy said before, everything from Ford is bad engineering. Honda was able to get 240hp from a 2 litre and ford is well below 200 with a 2.5 Whats even more sad this new Ford engine will be just as unreliable as everything Ford makes.

By: Veda

Veda — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:32:53 +0000

MY Si, that’s a Murcielago or a bull, you can also check under Lamborghini.

By: MY Si

MY Si — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:23:59 +0000

I totally agree with you Corvette. Now that i think of it the Ford Flex and Edge and Explorer and Expedition are enough for Ford. Hybrid the Flex or Edge and Fleet the Explorer for like taxis and stuff. Kinda strange how S.U.V.s are taking over the world. lol. Porsche Audi Even SPYKER!! YIPES!!

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:22:23 +0000

Evolution, not revolution. This is one of Ford’s better offerings.

By: corvette

corvette — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:21:24 +0000

i dont care much for these SUV’s. Si i think they need to be redesigned all together.

By: MY Si

MY Si — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:17:35 +0000

These damn S.U.V.s need to be totally restyled to stop them from looking like one another…… also whats an LP460???

By: MikeFX

MikeFX — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:13:47 +0000

Come on LP460, where are you?