Escort van adds comfort and style
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Toby Clark • The 1995 Escort Van incorporates many of the features of the latest saloon. As before the range has three variants but there are improvements to driver comfort and styling.
The Halewoodbuilt Escort is easily the best-selling car-derived van in the UK—taking 29% of the market in 1994—and Ford has not interfered with a winning formula. So engine options and load ratings remain the same: the 59hp (44kW) 1.8 diesel is available in Escort 55 and 75 versions, while the similarly powerful L3 petrol unit is available only in the 55 model. There is just one trim level.
The loadspace is unchanged: Escort 55's payload has been reduced by 15kg, to 460kg for the petrol model and 450kg for the diesel, while the Escort 75's payload remains at 635kg.
But there are visible changes: the '95 model is sleeker than its predecessor, with Ford's corporate oval theme repeated inside and out. The interior has been revised in line with the latest Escort saloon and the Transit van—the "soft look"—and Ford claims major improvements in NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) through changed engine and gearbox mountings and better aerodynamics. Steering geometry and suspen sion have been modified.
First impressions were good: the van is attractive, and the interior is comfortable and well up to car standards. Details such as door pulls and heater controls are well designed, and trim is good.
Unfortunately, driving the diesel Escort 75 proved a disappointment. Our example seemed to be down on power, unable to keep up with similar vehicles on twisting A-roads. Handling and ride comfort were good and engine noise was controlled.
The sleek shape kept wind noise down and the van was stable in sharp motorway crosswinds, but the unassisted variable-ratio steering felt "dead" around the straight-ahead.
1995 Escort van prices
• Prices have increased: the 55 model, with either engine, casts £8,655 exVAT (up from 28,470), and the 75 model costs £8,965 (up £190).