Ford Motor Company introduced the world’s first hybrid from an American automaker and the world’s first hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid. Today, the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid has a new bolder design, numerous engineering refinements that deliver even better real world fuel economy and the highest Federal income tax credits available on any hybrid – up to $3,000.
The 2008 Escape and Mariner Hybrids come with a 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor. The gasoline engine produces 133 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 124 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm. The electric motor produces 70 kw @ 5,000 rpm and 330V maximum voltage. The net result is 155 horsepower with 0-60 times comparable to a 200 horsepower V-6 engine and a boost in city-driving fuel economy of nearly 75 percent. A smooth-shifting, electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is the only available transmission on the hybrid model....
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