2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Review Oklahoma

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Introduction

Ford Escape Hybrid -- 2005 Review: Sometimes, people do the right thing for the wrong reason. Case in point: fuel economy. We know that fossil fuels aren't forever. We know that buying a vehicle that sips gas instead of slurping it would make the world's supply of ex-dinosaurs last longer. But, we are also a culture that likes our trucks, loves our sport utes - breeds perennially on the EPA's Ten Least Wanted list. Hybrid power first appeared in small cars, but advancements in technology have now made it practical to offer in larger packages, like the popular, compact SUV Ford Escape. With oil prices crashing through the $50/barrel barrier, vehicles like the Escape Hybrid offer hope. Can we really keep our SUV's without losing our shirts at the pump?

Full hybrid

The key to making fuel economy or alternative fuels popular is to make them transparent to the driver. The more different the vehicle looks or feels from conventional, gas powered cars and trucks, the less likely we are to buy them, which is why the Escape Hybrid offers a full hybrid system. The 2.3 liter, 133 hp, four cylinder motor is teamed with a 94 hp electric motor, and a Continuously Variable Transmission. The "full" in full hybrid means that either power source is capable of powering the vehicle by itself. In addition, they both can work in tandem in high demand situations, like passing, or other foot-to-the-floor situations. One attribute of hybrid systems that can be a little unnerving is the stop/start function. In order to save fuel, the gas engine automatically shuts off when it isn't needed, and switches back on when it is. In theory, this makes sense. In practice, this takes some getting used to. After years of driving cars, we are conditioned to react with alarm when they shut off without our asking them to. Scientists refer to this phenomena as the Blue Sky Syndrome: when the motor cuts out and we didn't throw the switch, we get tense, and turn the sky that color.

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Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
Service Rd
Bend, OK
http://www.getsavy.com/

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.