The Ford Escape crossover was unveiled at the LA Auto Show today (November 16). Pay close attention to these photos and in your mind slightly morph the grille and fog lamps, add a little bit more chrome and alter the dashboard and centre console. The car that you now have in your mind is scheduled to appear on Irish roads from 2013, but not as the Escape. When it hits our shores it will wear the Kuga badge.
In keeping with Ford's 'Global Car' philosophy the Escape and Kuga are identical in terms of proportions and dimensions and bar the cosmetic changes and an Irish-specific engine line-up (consisting of four-cylinder diesel options only we assume) this is the closest indication we have received of what to expect when the Kuga is officially revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
A range of technologies including a hands-free opening hatchback, Blind Spot Information System with 'crosstraffic' alert and Torque Vectoring Control are set to be included in the Escape but we are unsure if they will all make it to the Kuga. I guess we will just have to wait until Geneva to find out.