Ford Australia has revealed specifications and pricing for the 2018.5 Escape SUV range, the line-up has been expanded to include a new ST-Line variant with autonomous emergency braking now standard across the range.
All models have had price increases of between $490 and $890 to cover the additional equipment.
Along with the aforementioned AEB, all models now get alloy wheels and Sync 3 which includes satellite navigation as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
The new ST-Line will sit between the Trend and Titanium models, it will be powered by a 2.0-litre 178kW/345Nm EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with on-demand all-wheel drive.
Ford has tweaked the ST-Line’s chassis for a sportier drive by lowering the ride height by 10mm, re-tuning the steering and using thicker anti-roll bars to reduced body roll.
Visually, the ST-Line will be differentiated from the rest of the range by 18-inch Absolute Black alloys matched to the front grille, fog-lamp surrounds, roof rails and rear diffuser.
On the inside, there’s a new leather combination trim, an ST-Line steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, unique scuff plates and ST-Line floor mats.
An optional Technology Pack is available for $800 which brings adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, tyre pressure monitor and lane keep assist.
Ford is persisting with a variety of drivetrain options. Entry variants will feature the 1.5-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost petrol developing 110kW/240Nm with a manual gearbox or 134kW/240Nm with an automatic.
There’s also a 2.0-litre 178kW/345Nm Ecoboost option mated with a six-speed automatic in Trend and Titanium all-wheel drive models.
Trend and Titanium variants can also be purchased with a 2.0-litre 132kW/400Nm turbo-diesel engine with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
The 2018.5 Escape range officially goes on sale in September 2018.
Please note: Ford only supplied images of the European equivalent of the new Escape ST-Line.
2018.5 Ford Escape pricing (excluding on-road costs):
Escape Ambiente 1.5L EcoBoost FWD 6MT - $28,990
Escape Ambiente 1.5L EcoBoost FWD 6AT - $30,490
Escape Ambiente 1.5L EcoBoost AWD 6AT - $33,490
Escape Trend 1.5L EcoBoost FWD 6AT - $33,490
Escape Trend 2.0L EcoBoost AWD 6AT - $36,490
Escape Trend 2.0L TDCi AWD 6AT - $38,990
Escape ST-Line 2.0L EcoBoost AWD 6AT (new) - $39,990
Escape Titanium 2.0L EcoBoost AWD 6AT - $45,480
Escape Titanium 2.0L TDCi AWD 6AT - $48,340
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