Ford Escort (Europe) Facts for Kids

The European Ford Escort was a popular car made by Ford Motor Company. It was produced for many years, from 1968 all the way to 2002. In the UK, the four-door sedan and three-door hatchback versions stopped being made in 1998.

The Escort went through several updates and new designs over its lifetime. The very first version was made from 1968 to 1974. Then came the second version, produced from 1974 to 1980. The third version, made from 1980 to 1986, was a big change! It was the first Escort to have a hatchback style and also the first to use front-wheel drive, which means the engine powers the front wheels. This version was updated a bit in 1983, and a five-door station wagon was added. It also had a sedan version called the Orion.

The fourth version arrived in 1986 and was made until 1990. The fifth version came out in September 1990. Some car experts didn't like its plain look or how it drove, and it used older engines. But even with these criticisms, it sold very well! It got a new look (a "facelift") in 1992. The sixth and final version of the Escort came out in early 1995. It was eventually replaced by the Focus in late 1998. Even though the Focus took its place, a smaller range of Escort models continued to be sold until 2000, and the Escort vans were made until 2002.

Generations of the Ford Escort
When the Escort was Replaced
Images for kids
See also

Generations of the Ford Escort

The Ford Escort changed quite a lot over the years. Here's a look at how each version was different:

The First Generation
The Second Generation
The Third Generation
The Fourth Generation
The Fifth Generation RS (before its update)
The Sixth Generation

When the Escort was Replaced

Ford introduced a brand new car called the Focus in 1998. This car was meant to take over from the Escort, which had been around for 30 years! However, the Escort wasn't completely stopped until 2000. The van version of the Escort kept going even longer, until 2002. It was then replaced by the Transit Connect van.

Images for kids

Ford Escort 100E
Less than two years after it first came out, Ford offered a four-door version of the Escort.
Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm's Escort, which won the 1970 World Cup Rally.
Roger Clark's Escort RS1600, which won the 1972 RAC Rally.
A Ford Escort Mark I van.
An Australian 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 in a four-door style.
A three-door hatchback model.
A five-door hatchback model.
A three-door station wagon (estate).
A five-door station wagon (estate).
A two-door van, sometimes used as a wheelchair accessible van.
The Ford Escort RS 1600i.
The Ford Escort RS Turbo Series 1.
An Escort XR3i that was used as a British police car.
Mark 5 Ford Escorts: an XR3i convertible and an RS Cosworth behind it.
A three-door hatchback (LX model).
A station wagon (Finesse model).
An Escort van (made between 1995-2002).
A sedan (saloon) model.
A five-door hatchback (GTi model).
The inside dashboard of a Mark 6 Escort.
A Mark II rally car at a rally event, showing its wider wheel arches.
A Ford Escort RS1800 driven by Alan Watkins at Race Retro 2008.
A Ford Escort RS1800 with its engine hood open.
A Mark II Ford Escort RS2000 taking part in a road rally.
A convertible model after its facelift.
Another view of a facelifted convertible.
A post-facelift Escort Saloon (Equipe model) – after the Orion name was no longer used.
A facelifted Escort station wagon (Ghia model).
A facelifted Escort XR3i.
An older station wagon (estate) model.

Ford Escort (Europe) facts for kids

Contents

Generations of the Ford Escort

When the Escort was Replaced

Images for kids

See also