Ford's 2009 Escape gas-electric hybrid will show improvements in fuel economy and provide more power, the automaker said Tuesday.
The sport utility vehicle was one of several hybrid developments at the show. Both Ford and Toyota Motor Corp. were displaying prototype plug-in hybrids while General Motors Corp. was announcing that new orders from three metropolitan transit agencies would more than double its hybrid bus fleet.
Automakers typically show off their fuel-efficient technologies at the Washington show, which is heavily attended by government and political leaders. A new energy law signed by President Bush will require the companies to meet an overall fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
Ford said the 2009 Escape and Mariner's overall fuel efficiency would increase by 1 mpg compared with the 2008 versions, which gets between 28 to 32 mpg overall depending on the engine configuration.
The hybrid will have a new 2.5-liter engine which will boost power 11 percent to 170 horsepower. It will also offer an optional 230-hp, 3.0-liter V6 engine with similar gains in fuel economy. The 2009 version will go on sale this summer.
