Over the past 30 days, we’ve reported that Ford had finally set production dates for the delayed 2021 Ford Escape PHEV and 2021 Lincoln Corsair PHEV. Now, Ford Authority has learned that The Blue Oval has once again pushed back production of the two plug-in hybrid models, albeit by a single day.
Production of the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV and 2021 Lincoln Corsair PHEV models, both of which ride on the same Ford C2 platform, is currently set for April 6th, 2021 at the Ford Louisville Assembly plant – one day later than Ford previously planned. The regular (non-PHEV) 2021 Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair models entered production on January 4th, 2021 but production was subsequently shut down due to a COVID-19 related semiconductor shortage that is currently affecting several automakers, including Ford. Given the current circumstances, it is important to keep in mind that this revised date is also subject to change.
This latest production-related change comes after a fraught several months for the Ford Escape PHEV and Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring. Both of the plugin models, revealed back in 2019, were originally slated to be available at U.S. dealers by now. In fact, FoMoCo previously confirmed to Ford Authority that the Corsair Grand Touring would launch in 2020, which obviously didn’t happen. One month later, we reported that the model variant would enter production in November 2020 – an occasion that marked the third delay for the model.
The 2021 Ford Escape was supposed to represent the second model year for the PHEV variant, but early examples of its European version – sold as the Ford Kuga PHEV – caught fire. And although the issues affected a relatively small amount of vehicles, Ford was nevertheless forced to make sure the problems wouldn’t affect its American-market counterpart, which is set to use the same exact powertrain. Thus, production got punted further down the road to January 2021.
Powering the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV is Ford’s 2.5L iVCT Atkinson-Cycle I-4. The gasoline-powered internal combustion powerplant is paired to a permanent magnet synchronous motor and a liquid-cooled, 14.4-kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery to produce a combined targeted output of 209 horsepower, which flows to the front wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). It carries an EPA-estimated gasoline-only range of 41 miles per gallon. Additionally, it can travel 37 miles on battery power alone. The Escape PHEV is available only with front-wheel drive.
By contrast, the Corsair Grand Touring (PHEV) boasts a slightly more powerful version of that powertrain, at a targeted 266 horsepower. Unlike its Ford-branded sibling, the Lincoln will be offered solely with an electric all-wheel drive system.
We’ll be back to report more on the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV and 2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring as soon as we have it, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Escape news, Lincoln Corsair news, Lincoln news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Lincoln Corsair GT. Build it and I will buy.
Your one day push back is false.
UAW workers get the day after Easter off which is April 5. Production resumes on April 6.