Ford has a brand new compact SUV out, marketed as
the Escape in America and Kuga in Europe, but otherwise, identical, and
naturally, rendering artists have started imagining it in different forms,
including a hotter ST variant.
A hypothetical rival to something like the
Volkswagen T-Roc R, the rendered Kuga / Escape ST adopts a sportier body kit in
both interpretations. XTomi’s is a bit more colorful and gets body-colored
plastic cladding, whereas KleberSilva has went for a chrome red look and an
almost identical body kit.
Are these renderings in vain or could Ford
realistically consider making an ST version of the third-gen SUV? When the
original model came out 11 years ago, it would have a tough sale, but now, the
SUV boom has given birth to different niches. Performance-orientated crossovers
are popping up everywhere. Plus, don’t forget that Ford seems willing to bet
big on SUVs.
As for the technical aspect, developing an Escape
and Kuga ST should be fairly straightforward. The regular compact SUV is based
on the same platform as the new Focus, which is already available in ST guise.
It was uncovered earlier this year as a VW Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R
challenger, with a 280 PS and 420 Nm of torque
2.3-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged engine.
The new Focus ST is front-wheel drive, but the new
Focus RS is coming with all-wheel drive and a rumored 400 horsepower to squeeze
the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3 Sportback in their corners.
