Cheap Compact for China Ford Inside News
April 19, 2013
By: Austin Rutherford
As part of Ford's 15 new vehicles in China 2015, Ford today lifted the veil off the Ford Escort Concept, which will be seen on the Ford stand at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show. Joining it will be the new Mondeo and Fiesta ST.
One of the fastest growing segments in China, the cheap compact segment is essential for Ford to enter into. Most likely designed by Ford of Australia, the Escort shares Ford's Kinetic design theme to the lower class market.
No engine availability was given, but we will learn more closer to when the production version launches.
well, this is a surprise
tho
I'm not crazy about it
the basic shape feels like a cheapening of the C1 Focus Concept that was shown in China way back when; but more ordinary & staid & boring
&but
the graphics feel so overdone and over-blinged, making the shape seem even cheaper in contrast
anyone know dimensions on this yet?
could it preview the Focus's MCE?
definitely makes the idea of Focus-based Mercury even more appealing!!!
imho
well, this is a surprise
tho
I'm not crazy about it
the basic shape feels like a cheapening of the C\1 Focus Concept that was shown in China way back when; but more ordinary & staid & boring
&but
the graphics feel so overdone and over-blinged, making the shape seem even cheaper in contrast
anyone know dimensions on this yet?
could it preview the Focus's MCE?
^ longer wheelbase?
&
imho the Focus with it's dumb blocky front seatbacks and weird under-the-rearseat-structure really needs more rear leg (& foot) room!!
When I asked during the Live Chat on how the Escort Concept fits the One Ford philosophy, Nigel Harris, Vice President, Sales and Service, Ford Asia Pacific was the one who replied, he said....
The Ford Escort concept is a design execution. It uses our Ford Global Design Language, something that can be applied to Ford vehicles all around the world. In the case of the concept here in China, we're using the opportunity of the Shanghai Auto Show to determine its ability to reach a new set of customers -- and its possible addition to the Ford portfolio. So it fits the One Ford concept well.
I like its design, I like how the Escort Concept's windshield is shorter and how the hood is a bit longer.
My one concern with the New Focus and many other new car designs is their windshield base is so far forward that the base of the A-pillar and the black triangle where the mirrors mount on to creates a big blind spot. Plus the moving the windshield base forward away from the driver creates useless space that has no benefit for passenger space.
I wonder if the next gen Focus sedan will be influenced by the Escort concept? ...or might even be the Escort?
Escort = sedan?
Focus = hatchback
This looks GREAT! MUCH better looking than the Focus. It's just a simple clean design where the Focus gets a bit too busy looking on the front and rear. I'm sure the rest of the world will get nice LED headlamps except for the USA like what happened on the new Fusion. If it ever makes it to the USA that is.
This looks GREAT! MUCH better looking than the Focus. It's just a simple clean design where the Focus gets a bit too busy looking on the front and rear. I'm sure the rest of the world will get nice LED headlamps except for the USA like what happened on the new Fusion. If it ever makes it to the USA that is.
The current Kinetic language is too angular for my tastes, to many hard edges and creases. I don't think styles that are so hard age as well as styles that rely on more subtle lines. In the two pictures AM222 posted the Focus screams for your attention while the Escort evokes refinement.
When I asked during the Live Chat on how the Escort Concept fits the One Ford philosophy, Nigel Harris, Vice President, Sales and Service, Ford Asia Pacific was the one who replied, he said....
Escort Concept
Focus sedan
I like its design, I like how the Escort Concept's windshield is shorter and how the hood is a bit longer.
My one concern with the New Focus and many other new car designs is their windshield base is so far forward that the base of the A-pillar and the black triangle where the mirrors mount on to creates a big blind spot. Plus the moving the windshield base forward away from the driver creates useless space that has no benefit for passenger space.
I wonder if the next gen Focus sedan will be influenced by the Escort concept? ...or might even be the Escort?
Escort = sedan?
Focus = hatchback
Kinda like the Toyota Auris (hatchback) & Toyota Corolla (sedan). Cars designed to be what they are from the start, one is designed as a sedan, one as a hatch, not just adding a trunk to a hatchback to make a sedan.
In most of Europe, the Focus is only available as a hatch and wagon.
The current Kinetic language is too angular for my tastes, to many hard edges and creases. I don't think styles that are so hard age as well as styles that rely on more subtle lines. In the two pictures AM222 posted the Focus screams for your attention while the Escort evokes refinement.
I've had a rather lewd idea about the real reason for Chinese businessmen's insistence on rear legroom
&
the name of this concept happens to be the answer
Nice! It looks like this Escort is riding on the longer 105.9' wheelbase like the Escape. Unlike the current 104.3' wheelbase of the Focus Hatch/Sedan. Which could mean the next Focus for NA should have a longer wheelbase, offering the needed more back seat room. It's doubtful that the new US Focus would follow this design as the Escort, as it is to add to Ford's compact car lineup, not replace anything. Ford still makes our old Focus on China as the Focus Classic.
Bloggin!
and not suggesting you're not right about it using the Escape's wlb
but
the C platform has shown others
106.9 - MKC Concept
109.8 - Grand C-Max
imho it'd be great if FoMoCo (finally) decided they are once again capable of a bit more "bespoke" construction (esp for Lincoln-Mercury naturally)
altho/also there's a slightly stretch EcoSport for China
99.6" wlb vs 98" elsewhere
so perhaps this Escort will stay in China??
ps1
wonder if Escort shows anything of what the Focus-based Mercury C557 would've looked like?
ps2
just want say again that this is still largely the previous generation C1 Chinese Focus - esp, the greenhouse is *unchanged* stylewise
and for all I know, mechanically...
...except for engines
Nice design. The more upright roof that this vehicle shows would work great as a Lincoln. Did anyone graft an MKZ front and rear on this yet? OR how about an abstract Versailles front and rear that fits with today's style? The rear could have a very slight arc that just hints at you know what and lights up as the 3rd brake light........
I'd like to see them bring back a RWD fun small car and call it Escort...
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