test
drive

FIRST the good news.
The restyled, better-
handling 1997 Ford
Escort offers a substan-
tial. increase in horse-
power — and no major
increase in price.

The bad news is that the
hatchback body style has
been dropped (both two and
four door hatchbacks) leav-
ing a four-door sedan and
four-door wagon. More on
that in a minute,

Already dubbed a 1997
model,.the new Escort uses
the same. basic platform as
before, but has softer,
rounder exterior and interior
styling, a 10 cm (3.9 in.)
increase in length, a tad

" more headroom and
legroom, improved sieering  *
and handiing, and a more «
powerful 2.0-litre four-cyli
der engine. .

“Last year’s base 1.9-litre four-
cylinder engine was enlarged to a
2.0-litre and, with the help of a
new induction system, offers a sig-
nificant 25% increase in horse-
power (from 88 to 110) and a 15%
increase in torque.

Though the Escort’s engine

on't.as sophisticated as many of
its computitors — it doesn't have
overhead cass or four valves per
cylinder. — it is.2 surprisingly
smooth, quiet engine with plenty
of power aiid torque for typ

fig needs. Highway

styling

litres per 100 kilo-
metres (35 nip.g.)
in the city and §.7
litres per 100 kilo-
metres (48 m.p.g.)
on the highway.
Larger 14-inch
tires and revisions
to the independent
rear suspension
have improved han-
dling and steering
response, although
the previous Escort
was a pretty good
handling car too.

Price as tested: $15,795

Base price: $13,945

Type: four-door, five-passenger
sedan

Layout: transverse front
engine/front-wheel-drive
Engine: 2.0-litre OHV four-
cylinder, eight-valves
Horsepower: 110 @ 5,000
np.m.

Torque: 125 ft-lbs. @
rpm.

3.750

Curb weight: 1,133. kg (2,518
Ibs.)

Wheelbase: 2,499 mm (88 4in.)
Length: 4,437 mm (174.7 in.)
Width: 1,681 mm (66.2 in.)
Height: 1,354 mm (53.3 in.)
Tires: 185/65R- 14 all-season
Fuel consumption: City — 7.7
V100 km (35 m.p.g.) Hwy —
5.7 VIOO km (48 m.p.g.)
Warranty: three years/60,000
km

Photo submited

sofier edges, a cen-
tral contro! panel
that centralizes
most of the audio
and heater controls,
a half inch more
rear headroom, and
{wo available
remote keyless
locking systems
with built-in alarm
system: the less-
expensive version
locks znd unlocks
ithe driver's door .
only, The other

looking at the wagon — it
has more cargo room than a
hatchback and Ford is offer-
ing the Wagon (available
only in LX trim) for the
same price as the LX sedan,
The price of the 1997 Escort
has been kept at, or below, _
the 1996 sugpested retail

pr

For example, the base
1997 Escort GL four-door
sedan starts at $13,945, com-
pared to $13,995 for the
1996 two-door hatchback.
The 1997-LX sedan and
wagon are both priced at
$14,395, compared to
$14,345 for the 1996 mod-
els.

Though soine small car
buyers shy away from
domestic cars, I would rec- © -
ommend the Escort to import.
buyers. The current Escort.
upon which the 1997 model

~is bused, was s the result of a

J
and Ford.

The basic design, atittonnh
suspension and some, of the
mechanicals came from tf
Mazda 323/Proiege

base engine and transmission :
were from Ford. But the

THE redesigned 1997:Ford. Escort has 25% more horsepower (110), improved hardiing, now aerodynamic
and a'bave price of.$13,945. Take the new Escort for 8 test drive at Dave Buck: Ford, located at a79
' Marine .Dr., North Vancouver. i

ger side airbags, cloth upholst
power steering, AM/EM radio.”” :
50/40 split folding rear-seats,
intermittent wipers, digital clock,
front and rear cupholde
height-adjustable front seatbel
anchors.

Options include anti- lock’ {
brakes, a battery saver that tu
off t tights after 10 minutes,:

year/60; 000 kilometre warranty:
with roadside assistance, bu

ingtis comfortable and quiet, the
engine tufning over 2,500 r.p.m. in
5th gear at 100 km-h (62 m. p.h.).

: $Surpringly, fuel consumption is
comparabic to the previous, less
powerful. 1.9-litre engine: 7.7

se aeespeioenaehietnianenaanembernnetetenmataneataraiadant tamara ckeeateadaned

the five-year powertrain;
offered by most import

operates all four
The GT hatchback moc

The sew Escort
offers more stability, less roll, and
jess dive when braking.

Other noteworthy improve-

ments are an easier-to-change

doors.

For those peaple who'll miss
the practical versatility of the
hatchback model, { recommend

mangal Fives speed transmission

and better-timed, les

shifts in the four-speed automatic.
The Escort’s new interior has

coupe sometime in the 19
mode! year. |

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