Welly – NEX Models – 1/24 Scale 2005 Ford Escape XLT Sport Diecast Model Replica

Welly – NEX Models – 1/24 Scale 2005 Ford Escape XLT Sport Diecast Model Replica

The first generation Ford Escape was released in 2000 for the 2001 model year. It was jointly developed with Mazda, in which Ford owned a controlling interest, and was released simultaneously with the Mazda Tribute. Both are built on the Ford CD2 platform, in turn based on the Mazda GF platform.

At the time, larger sport utility vehicles tended to use pickup truck-based, body-on-frame designs. Other car makers, Jeep and Toyota, had been offering smaller unibody designs, the Jeep Cherokee (XJ) and RAV4, respectively. Solid rear axles were commonly used due to their ability to carry heavy loads at the expense of a comfortable ride and good handling. Ford and Mazda then decided to offer a car-like, unibody design with a fully independent suspension and rack and pinion steering, the Escape. Although not meant for serious off-roading, a full-time all-wheel-drive (AWD) system supplied by Dana was optional, which included a locking center differential activated by a switch on the dashboard. The AWD system normally sends most of the power from the engine to the front wheels. If slipping is detected at the front, more power will be sent to the rear wheels in a fraction of a second. The four wheel drive system was a newer version of Ford’s “Control Trac” 4×4 system, dubbed the Control Trac II 4WD in the Escape. This system allowed the front wheels to receive 100% of the torque until a slip was detected. Using a Rotary Blade Coupling, the rear wheels could be sent up to 100% of the power in fractions of a second. When switching the system from “Auto” to “On,” the front and rear axles are locked at a 50/50 split; the reaction time necessary to engage the rear wheels is reduced via an integrated bypass clutch. The Control Trac II system allows for a four-wheel drive vehicle without the use of a center differential. The entire braking system was built by Continental Teves, including the ABS and various related suspension components. CKD production began in 2002 at Ford Lio Ho Motor Co. in Taiwan for various Asian markets.

One main difference between the Tribute and the Ford Escape is that the Tribute’s suspension is tuned for a firmer ride than the Escape, in order to correspond with Mazda’s sporty image.

Perfect for collectors & fans of Ford Automobiles

Product Id: 22463S-W