National - Dr. Zoidberg finally drives an EcoBoost!!!

My two-year dream has finally come true; moreover, I'm renting a 2013 Ford Escape this weekend. It's like 2 birthday presents in the same day!

Too bad it's not the 365-hp EcoBoost though.:)

I'm sure we'll see a "ride report" soon ;)

I'll be interested in reading your report. I drove an Explorer ecoboost a few weeks ago (rented at YUL)--it was interesting...

Was this a national rental at YUL? Didn't know they were carrying ecoboost explorers!

I'm sure we'll see a "ride report" soon ;)

"Yes, there will be a 'ride report' soon!" :)

Initial thoughts; the Escape has surprisingly good acceleration off the line, very fast.

Popped the hood, AHA, it's not the 1.6L EcoBoost but rather the 2.0L EcoBoost! Zoidy scores again!

My lower jaw wont get off the floor.:eek:

Also does it have one of those gizmos that when you wave your foot under the rear bumper the trunk opens up automatically?

Was this a national rental at YUL? Didn't know they were carrying ecoboost explorers!

Yup, at YUL. I didn't realize it was an ecoboost until I was well on my way. It was ok but it sure felt like the engine worked hard to move the vehicle.

Noticed an EcoBoost Edge at YVR today.

Ron.

Also does it have one of those gizmos that when you wave your foot under the rear bumper the trunk opens up automatically?

Haha, unfortunately very disappointed that it doesn't have the hands-free-power-liftgate-foot-waving mechanism. It's standard on Titanium trim, but this is an SEL AWD 2.0L model.

Ive had this engine in the Explorer. One word: Awful. They really ought to have kept it in the Escape and small cars where it belongs.

Ive had this engine in the Explorer. One word: Awful. They really ought to have kept it in the Escape and small cars where it belongs.

Probably ok for Edge and smaller; surprisingly, the folks at InsideLine liked their 2.0L equipped Explorer.

Explorer sport with 3.5L EcoBoost should be interesting.

I know that technology has come a long way in my lifetime, but I was watching an old Chrysler commercial from 1984 featuring then chairman Lee Iacocca boasting about turbos; makes you think how cyclical the industry can be. His specific line was "Sports cars and luxury cars (Translation: Various incarnations of K-cars ;)) with turbos so powerful, so efficient, you'll never go back to a V8 again."

And here we are in 2012 with another American automaker swapping V6s and V8s for turbocharged powerplants. Makes you wonder how long it'll last this time. Heck in the 80s turbos were all the rage until around 1987 when you started to see products like the Dodge Dynasty and redesigned Daytona carrying a more "traditional" 3 litre V6 offering.

Oh and congrats Zoidberg on finally living out your dream, or part of it anyways (still have to find that SHO). And no, me living out my rental car dream is NOT driving a V6-equipped Rondo. :p

Oh and congrats Zoidberg on finally living out your dream, or part of it anyways (still have to find that SHO). And no, me living out my rental car dream is NOT driving a V6-equipped Rondo. :p

BTW, I think Kia is bringing back the Rondo! Might make sense since Ford is planning to bring their C-Max to the states.

Some higher end German cars are actually turbocharging 8 cylinders - like my "new" car.

BTW, I think Kia is bringing back the Rondo! Might make sense since Ford is planning to bring their C-Max to the states.

On the Canadian side the Rondo actually never left, always sold stronger here. I actually had one from Avis last summer, a loaded model with leather, and I have to say something's changed. I wasn't as in tune with it as I once was. Perhaps I've just driven a lot of better products since. Been ages since I've seen a Rondo at National too, closest thing is the Mazda5 which I don't even fit in.

I'm very excited that the C-Max might be coming to our shores, even though Ford actually announced the C-Max was coming before they cancelled it. Apparently John Kerry is the head of the Ford Product Planning team... :D