UPDATED: Full gallery of press shots added after the jump


Well well something bold from Ford! The 2008 Escape has certainly been restyled with bold strokes evolving into something that's unmistakable as the smallest sibling of the Explorer and Expedition. The interior has been taken uptown with high quality materials and a pleasing handsome design incorporating many comfort and quietness improvements. Nice touches abound from an iPod jack to blue instrument illumination not to mention the use of laminated glass and acoustic headlining to reduce NVH levels. Debuting in the '08 Escape is Ford's "top of dash" display that puts information like ambient temp climate control settings and radio functions at eye level.

The designers were let loose on the Escape with the idea of making it look more "Ford Truck Tough." There's a higher beltline a more prominent hood and Edge-like headlights. This thing looks like it'd flat out crush the old Escape. Glancing quickly at the pictures it's easy to confuse it with the Explorer a testament to the great job Ford's stylists and designers did balancing the proportions and adding family styling cues. Even if you're not buying the Hybrid model the Escape has paid attention to environmental impact and includes touches like seatcovers made from recycled materials. Powertrains consist of the 2.3 liter Duratec 4 and the 3.0 liter V6 as well as the aforementioned Hybrid that's said to perform on par with the V6 while saving fuel. It's beginning to look like Ford's putting all the Bold Moves talk into action with a muscular restyle of the Escape's exterior and a poshing up that makes the CUV that much more appealing.

Check out the Photo Gallery and Ford's press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA Auto Show: The 2008 Ford Escape revealed

 

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