2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Feature More Powerful Engines and 6-Speed Transmissions

Ford has announced that its hot-selling compact SUVs, the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, will become more fuel-efficient, more powerful and more connected for the 2009 model year.

The new powertrains are expected to improve the 2009 Ford Escape and 2009 Mercury Mariner’s EPA estimated fuel economy by 1 mile per gallon. The all-new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine will give customers an 11 percent increase in horsepower, to 170 horsepower and the 3.0-liter V-6 engine option receives 30 additional horsepower for a total of 230 horsepower.

The new 2.5-liter engine with intake variable cam timing (IVCT) boasts a 17-horsepower increase in output over the outgoing 2.3-liter engine. Responsive with its peak 166 ft. lb. of torque, the engine also is refined with dual-mode crankshaft damping, electronic throttle control and PowerPC engine electronic control.

The flexibility of the new, more fuel-efficient, 6-speed automatic transmission enables a longer final-drive ratio for optimal fuel economy. With the improvements, Escape and Mariner also achieve ULEV II emissions certification.

Fuel savings also come from additional design and engineering features, including:

• Aerodynamic improvements including a new front fascia chin spoiler and rear tire spoilers.
• A new 16-inch Michelin tire design offering improved rolling resistance, while also bringing improvements in quiet operation, steering and handling, and stopping distance.