Type to search

Ford Caught Testing Escape Crossover-Based ‘Courier’ Pickup

Share

Ford Focus Courier Pickup

Now, when we first heard rumors that Ford might be readying a unibody crossover-based pickup dubbed “Courier,” which would share its chassis with the Escape, we were skeptical.

But then Ford once again trademarked “Courier” here in America back during the summer. Then, just this week, the American automaker was spotted by Motor1 testing a hugely camouflaged vehicle.

It’s so camouflaged in fact that it would appear Ford was doing the absolute most it could do to disguise the shape of the thing.Ford Focus Courier Pickup

Regardless whether this was the Courier undergoing early testing or not, we like the idea of bringing back the Courier nameplate. Courier is best known when it was used on the badge-engineered Mazda pickups sold in the 1970s here in the U.S. under the Ford brand.

While we agree there’s room for some smaller—we mean smaller than the new Ranger—trucks in the market, we’re not sure we want to see crossover-based trucks rolling Americas freeways and (God forbid) backroads. After all, should Ford really follow the lead of Hyundai’s coming CUV-based truck?

For a truck to be a truck—especially a ‘Built-Ford-Tough’ truck—it needs to have a proper ladder frame underneath. Remember, it’s not like they’d be making an SUV into a truck. Ford would be making a car into a truck. That’s because, underneath, the Escape is a Ford Focus compact car.

Ford Focus Courier Pickup

Yes, this sounds like the makings of an all-new Ranchero. And that’d be cool; there’s not doubting that. However, if Ford is going to make a new Ranchero, it better be Raptor V6 powered and have rear-wheel drive. And there’s little chance the Courier will be that.

Tags::
Tim Esterdahl

Automotive Journalist Tim Esterdahl has been a lover of trucks and SUVs for years. He has covered the industry since 2011 and has pieces in many national magazines and newspapers. In his spare time, he is often found tinkering on his '62 C10 pickup, playing golf, going hunting and hanging out with his wife and kids in Nebraska.

  • 1

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *