SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Ford resurrects Escort

Ford revived one of its most famous nameplates at the weekend’s Shanghai motor show in China, where the Escort badge appeared on a new concept created with the help of Ford Australia.

How much local design input was involved in the stylish small sedan is unknown, Ford confirming only that its Australian design team – now lead by Joel Piaskowski – was part of a global effort to create the born-again Escort.

Although the Focus-based four-door is strictly only a concept to gauge reaction in China for a new Ford small sedan, positive response could see the modern-day Escort produced for markets outside China, including Australia.

“This compact concept highlights the strength of our global One Ford approach to vehicle design, and represents how we can make use of our global design language to bring refined designs to attainable vehicles,” said Ford’s Executive-Vice President of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln, Jim Farley.

“Designed with the Chinese consumer in mind, the new Escort concept has the potential to strengthen our product portfolio here in China as we take advantage of opportunities for diversification within the compact car segment.”

Ford already sells its Focus hatch alongside the superseded model in China, while the Escort nameplate was last seen in Ford’s Australian showrooms in the 1980s.

Ford also used the Shanghai show to stage the Asian debut of its redesigned Mondeo mid-size sedan, which has been delayed for release in Australia until early 2014 following a switch in production sites.

Along with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, China’s Mondeo will be fitted with Ford’s new 133kW/240Nm 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol four, which made its world debut at Shanghai.

The newest EcoBoost engine will eventually replace the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol powerplant seen in the new Kuga mid-sized SUV due on sale here from May.

“We’ve gone further in every aspect to bring to China the most premium Mondeo we have ever designed, developed and built,” said former Ford Australia president Marin Burela, who is now the president and CEO of Changan Ford Automobile Co.

“It’s truly a flagship car, offering our Chinese customers class leading levels of refinement, driving pleasure and excitement. The Mondeo will raise the bar in craftsmanship, style and technology, delivering what we believe our loyal Chinese customers truly want and value.”

Ford’s latest Kuga and Explorer and all-new EcoSport small SUV, which arrives here later this year, also made their Chinese debuts on the weekend.

See more photos of the Shanghai motor show at motoring.com.au

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