Ford announced this week the next generation of its Escape model will be more than 200 pounds lighter “due in part to the extensive use of high-strength, lightweight steel.”
In a statement, Ford said ultra-high-strength steel 3D-rolled tubes will run up each A-pillar and along the rooflines, and high-strength boron steel will solidify the subframe of the 2020 model.
Diagrams provided by Ford indicated a significant degree of dual-phase steel in the front-end of the vehicle and two of the roof crossmembers, Boron steel forms door rings, the lower part of the C-pillar, behind the dogleg, kickout panel and a floor crossmember just behind the B-pillar.
Additionally, “Smart Steel” will be used on three roof bows and the lower crossmember connecting the D-pillars, which along with the instrument panel will be made with Martensitic steel.
Despite being more than 200 pounds lighter, Ford said the 2020 Escape is wider and longer than the 2019 model. However, the automaker said the strong, light, rigid body will likely impose “additional repair restrictions” on auto body shops.