Ford revives iconic Escort nameplate

[EASYBOSS]

Sorry if this is a repost, I did do a search

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/show...cort-nameplate

From the artical

Ford has revived its iconic Escort nameplate - with some Australian input.

Ford's Melbourne-based design centre was involved in developing the look of the new Escort, which is a concept car for now.

Unveiled today (NZ time) at the 2013 Shanghai motor show, the Escort concept is designed to appeal to younger Chinese families with a uniquely designed small sedan body.

Designed primarily for the Chinese market the new Escort is based on the underpinnings of a Focus small car but with a slightly larger body that leads to more interior space.

The Escort was a popular model in New Zealand throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

[Nikked]

No RWD, No escort :-/


In seriousness, that looks quite nice, front looks better then the focus.

Australia = win.

[rancidpunx]

Escort in Europe was FWD all through the 80s and 90s minus the RS Cosworth

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Escort in Europe was FWD all through the 80s and 90s

Different Escort I think, I think those Escorts were the same as the Laser/Mazda 323

[DJM83]

Just needs RWD and a YB under the bonnet

[4stanger]

Good for a concept.
Will it be marketed as Escort? Fiesta sedan? or something else?

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I think those Escorts were the same as the Laser/Mazda 323

I thought the European escort in the 80's and beyond had very little shared with the 323/laser of the same period, there was some small things like wheels and lights that looked simular, but engine, gearbox and other mechanical things I thought were different.

[jpblue1000]

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Escort in Europe was FWD all through the 80s and 90s minus the RS Cosworth

The mk2 finished in 1980 was replaced by the FWD Mk3 then Mk4 in 1990 the Mk5 was offered and in 1992 the AWD Cosworth escort was introduced, but based on the sierra platform. So none were a real escort.

This is the only real escort:

1970 Mk1 cosworth...

I dont believe there was a mazda share at this stage the engines were based on the venerable kent dating back to the 60's. The south american built ones had VW engines. In australia the nameplate was replaced with mazda derived cars with laser and meteor badges.

JP

[rancidpunx]

I only meant the name plate as the OP and thread title hint at.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Arnaldo

I thought the European escort in the 80's and beyond had very little shared with the 323/laser of the same period, there was some small things like wheels and lights that looked simular, but engine, gearbox and other mechanical things I thought were different.

You're right, completely different. Also completely different to every Escort before them as they went to FWD for the 3rd gen.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

Sorry if this is a repost, I did do a search

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/show...cort-nameplate

From the artical

Ford has revived its iconic Escort nameplate - with some Australian input.

Ford's Melbourne-based design centre was involved in developing the look of the new Escort, which is a concept car for now.

Unveiled today (NZ time) at the 2013 Shanghai motor show, the Escort concept is designed to appeal to younger Chinese families with a uniquely designed small sedan body.

Designed primarily for the Chinese market the new Escort is based on the underpinnings of a Focus small car but with a slightly larger body that leads to more interior space.

The Escort was a popular model in New Zealand throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

image

Thanks for the link. Nice looking car.
Well done to the Ford Australia designers involved in the Escort project.

With "underpinnings of a Focus small car but with a slightly larger body that leads to more interior space" it's the type of car that could straddle a few segments!

PS I'm expecting a similar look to the next Falcon (although i'd predict it to be a little more adventurous).

[Polyal]

Props to the Aussie input, completely disappointing when seeing anything regarding FWD. Imagine a little BMW 1 series type car!

[H.G]

BLEHH

bring back the Cortina.. may as well.. they wanna bring back everything else.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by phillyc

PS I'm expecting a similar look to the next Falcon (although i'd predict it to be a little more adventurous).

I was just going to post the same until I re-read the posts. If you follow the link by the o/p there are 6 pictures and it's a very nice looking car. Couldn't help thinking "if you scale it up it's a nice looking Falcon", lol...

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

... front looks better THAN the focus. FFS.

Than vs. then ....... etc

.

Just what exactly has this post to do with the topic?

If you're going to be this pedantic about one word you might be better off in the Oxford dictionary forums !!

[Wretched]

hmm excited when I saw the thread name, disappointment once I clicked into it and saw the car. Yeah I know it is a CGI but kind of looks generic and meh. I am a bit over the new Ford trapezoid grille being thrown onto everything.
While I have no real qualms with FWD, for me a real Escort is RWD like the MK1.
Ford once again waste an opportunity to do a Toyota 86 competitor but with a better driveline (EB 2.0).

I remember back in the 80's mum had a bright yellow one, didn't realise back then what that car was until now.

[ebxr8240]

That Escort pic is giving me a mid life crises.. I owned one back in 70's .. Did many many rally cross days in it..

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by jpblue1000

This is the only real escort:
image
1970 Mk1 cosworth...

Agreed, I used to do a bit of Rallying back then (Not a Twink, just a Saab) and all the top drivers said they were one of the best balanced cars ever.

[Fordman]

It looks almost like a sedan in the pic.

I'm a little younger and when i think escort, its the mighty cossy.

[Polyal]

Ah the days when men could get away with buying a small car

[TC200six]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Different Escort I think, I think those Escorts were the same as the Laser/Mazda 323

The US Escort was the same as the Laser/323 we got here. When I saw them in America, I recognised it as a Laser, but saw the badge was different.


But the UK had a different line.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Fordman

It looks almost like a sedan in the pic.

I'm a little younger and when i think escort, its the mighty cossy.

Oh yeah thats sechs, im young to but i still love the older escorts. With an NA YB screaming, it sounds fantastic.

Originally Posted by Polyal

Ah the days when men could get away with buying a small car

Lets go hit some corners and see who fairs best

[ebxr8240]

If they go and sound like this ?? YES !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWhCI3knNxk

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

If they go and sound like this ?? YES !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWhCI3knNxk

Or this.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqzqqnN5ZqE

[mik]

The name Brings back memories of my mk 2 escort panel van, bit sorry I sold that one , it had the 2 litre engine in it and manual transmission, it had some modding potential . for me the escort ended with the mk2.

[Hawkeye84]

I'm going to guess that since the design team in Melbourne were in charge of the escort concept, that the rear end design of it would pretty much resemble the new falcon?

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye84

I'm going to guess that since the design team in Melbourne were in charge of the escort concept, that the rear end design of it would pretty much resemble the new falcon?

Whoa....let's just take that back a few steps before the thread gets to far from the original story.....

Ford has revived its iconic Escort nameplate - with some Australian input.

Ford's Melbourne-based design centre was involved in developing the look of the new Escort, which is a concept car for now.

[SS Eater]

I have fond memories of my 2 door mk2.
Worked and balanced 2L, twin side drought webers,
Brilliant little car to drive.
Until my brother got hold of it and wrote it off

[jpd80]

From the official press release:

Ford designers started by adding length and then sculpting the vehicle with elegant lines to give it a natural flow. The longer profile creates more room for a comfortable and spacious interior while maintaining harmonious proportions.

So this would seem to be a slightly larger car than the focus with more leg room as a response to Chinese customers.

I have to wonder whether this car with a slightly toned down (smaller) grille could be made in Australia
and sold as a mid sized sedan whilst keeping the Focus as an import...

Just a thought...

"By listening to our customers in China, we have developed the Ford Escort Concept to serve a new class of compact car customers," said Jim Farley, executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln, Ford Motor Company. "These are customers whose needs are not being completely met by existing compact cars. They are discerning, modern families, who want uncompromised functionality, quality and safety for themselves and the ones they care about."

[jpd80]

Is FoA hinting at the 2014 Falcon's rear end?

[Luke Plaizier]

That car looks so much better than the Focus it's not funny. I wonder if they'll be able to retain the smooth-glass shut lines of the B and C pillars?

I do lament that not being RWD. With RWD and the Ecoboost 2.0, that would give the ST a serious identity crisis. I'd be up for one though!

Falcon rear end would need considerable reshaping to get that profile - Falcon bumper sits out too far for one thing. The silhouette of the lighting, however, might be worth paying attention to.


Lukeyson