The Ford Escape Hybrid is still the cleanest and most fuel-efficient SUV in the world, combining the fuel economy and emissions benefits of a full hybrid with the go-anywhere capability, toughness and spaciousness of the Ford Escape - America's favorite small SUV.

For 2008, The Escape Hybrid combines a fresh new look, inside and out, with infotainment and safety features, a choice of two hybrid-specific upgrade packages and four new exterior colors.

The Escape Hybrid is a "full" hybrid, meaning it automatically switches between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power or combined operation to maximize efficiency and performance. Its gasoline engine and electric motor work in concert, providing performance similar to that of a V-6 engine. In less demanding situations, the Escape Hybrid can run on its electric motor alone (at speeds up to 25 mph), its gasoline engine alone or the most efficient combination of the two.

Full hybrids achieve their greatest improvement in fuel economy during stop-and-go driving, when the electric motor is most efficient. In fact, the Escape Hybrid provides approximately 80 percent better fuel economy in city driving than the conventional V-6 Escape and can travel more than 500 miles in city driving on a single tank of gasoline.

It is an extremely clean vehicle to operate  an amazing 99.4 percent cleaner, on average than an unregulated vehicle. Escape Hybrid meets strict Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV II) and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards.

The Escape Hybrid is as tough as it is clean. For the past few years, taxi companies across the country have been putting Escape Hybrids to work, proving their durability and reliability after hours ' even days ' of continuous use. Many cabs have logged hundreds of thousands of working miles with no major issues.

Ford backs the Escape Hybrid with a standard 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty for unique hybrid components, including the battery pack. Escape Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle to offer towing capability of up to 1,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Escape Hybrid is produced at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo.

Via: Ford Motor Co.