Return of the Ford Escort

When a manufacturer has a back catalogue full of perfectly serviceable model names, why should it bother thinking up yet another one when launching a car? Clearly the folks at Ford hold a similar view, because they've decided to recycle the Escort moniker for a new Chinese-market saloon.

The compact 2015 Escort is based on the same global C-car platform that already underpins the Focus, C-Max and Kuga. Ford's Australian design studio was responsible for the styling which, although conservative, should appeal to the car's target audience.

Anyway, Ford reckons that cabin refinement, comfort and plenty of interior space – all claimed Escort attributes – are higher priorities for buyers. Also important to them is fuel economy, so the Escort is powered by a 1.5 litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that features variable camshaft timing.

Crucially the Escort won't be replacing the Focus in China, as both are going to be sold alongside each other there. It'll be built locally by the Changan Ford joint venture, with no exports currently planned.

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