This is the ’17 Ford Escape caught testing with barely any camo. It's a mild-to-moderate refresh of the popular compact crossover and a staple of the Ford lineup. Changes to the exterior include revisions to make it appear more like the latest Fords, including the midsized Edge crossover. Up front, we can see that it will be graced with an all-new front clip, which includes a new grille, headlights and fog lights. Out back, it gets an all-new tailgate with new taillights, and looks a little reminiscent of ’06–’10 BMW X3.

Inside, the Escape will get a new interior along the lines of other recent Fords, such as the facelifted ’15 Focus. A larger center screen is expected to house SYNC 3—the replacement for MyFord Touch. Physical controls will also replace the touch-capacitive audio controls on the current model. Other revisions will likely include materials upgrades.

Powertrains are likely to continue with a 2.5L and 1.6L and 2.0 Ecoboost variants all mated to a six-speed automatic.

The new Escape will be shown either at the end of the year or early in 2016, and go on sale shortly after.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Ford Escape caught testing with barely any camo. It's a mild-to-moderate refresh of the popular compact crossover and a staple of the Ford lineup. Changes to the exterior include revisions to make it appear more like the latest Fords, including the midsized Edge crossover. Up front, we can see that it will be graced with an all-new front clip, which includes a new grille, headlights and fog lights. Out back, it gets an all-new tailgate with new taillights, and looks a little reminiscent of ’06–’10 BMW X3.

Inside, the Escape will get a new interior along the lines of other recent Fords, such as the facelifted ’15 Focus. A larger center screen is expected to house SYNC 3—the replacement for MyFord Touch. Physical controls will also replace the touch-capacitive audio controls on the current model. Other revisions will likely include materials upgrades.

Powertrains are likely to continue with a 2.5L and 1.6L and 2.0 Ecoboost variants all mated to a six-speed automatic.

The new Escape will be shown either at the end of the year or early in 2016, and go on sale shortly after.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Ford Escape caught testing with barely any camo. It's a mild-to-moderate refresh of the popular compact crossover and a staple of the Ford lineup. Changes to the exterior include revisions to make it appear more like the latest Fords, including the midsized Edge crossover. Up front, we can see that it will be graced with an all-new front clip, which includes a new grille, headlights and fog lights. Out back, it gets an all-new tailgate with new taillights, and looks a little reminiscent of ’06–’10 BMW X3.

Inside, the Escape will get a new interior along the lines of other recent Fords, such as the facelifted ’15 Focus. A larger center screen is expected to house SYNC 3—the replacement for MyFord Touch. Physical controls will also replace the touch-capacitive audio controls on the current model. Other revisions will likely include materials upgrades.

Powertrains are likely to continue with a 2.5L and 1.6L and 2.0 Ecoboost variants all mated to a six-speed automatic.

The new Escape will be shown either at the end of the year or early in 2016, and go on sale shortly after.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Ford Escape caught testing with barely any camo. It's a mild-to-moderate refresh of the popular compact crossover and a staple of the Ford lineup. Changes to the exterior include revisions to make it appear more like the latest Fords, including the midsized Edge crossover. Up front, we can see that it will be graced with an all-new front clip, which includes a new grille, headlights and fog lights. Out back, it gets an all-new tailgate with new taillights, and looks a little reminiscent of ’06–’10 BMW X3.

Inside, the Escape will get a new interior along the lines of other recent Fords, such as the facelifted ’15 Focus. A larger center screen is expected to house SYNC 3—the replacement for MyFord Touch. Physical controls will also replace the touch-capacitive audio controls on the current model. Other revisions will likely include materials upgrades.

Powertrains are likely to continue with a 2.5L and 1.6L and 2.0 Ecoboost variants all mated to a six-speed automatic.

The new Escape will be shown either at the end of the year or early in 2016, and go on sale shortly after.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Ford Escape caught testing with barely any camo. It's a mild-to-moderate refresh of the popular compact crossover and a staple of the Ford lineup. Changes to the exterior include revisions to make it appear more like the latest Fords, including the midsized Edge crossover. Up front, we can see that it will be graced with an all-new front clip, which includes a new grille, headlights and fog lights. Out back, it gets an all-new tailgate with new taillights, and looks a little reminiscent of ’06–’10 BMW X3.

Inside, the Escape will get a new interior along the lines of other recent Fords, such as the facelifted ’15 Focus. A larger center screen is expected to house SYNC 3—the replacement for MyFord Touch. Physical controls will also replace the touch-capacitive audio controls on the current model. Other revisions will likely include materials upgrades.

Powertrains are likely to continue with a 2.5L and 1.6L and 2.0 Ecoboost variants all mated to a six-speed automatic.

The new Escape will be shown either at the end of the year or early in 2016, and go on sale shortly after.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Ford Escape caught testing with barely any camo. It's a mild-to-moderate refresh of the popular compact crossover and a staple of the Ford lineup. Changes to the exterior include revisions to make it appear more like the latest Fords, including the midsized Edge crossover. Up front, we can see that it will be graced with an all-new front clip, which includes a new grille, headlights and fog lights. Out back, it gets an all-new tailgate with new taillights, and looks a little reminiscent of ’06–’10 BMW X3.

Inside, the Escape will get a new interior along the lines of other recent Fords, such as the facelifted ’15 Focus. A larger center screen is expected to house SYNC 3—the replacement for MyFord Touch. Physical controls will also replace the touch-capacitive audio controls on the current model. Other revisions will likely include materials upgrades.

Powertrains are likely to continue with a 2.5L and 1.6L and 2.0 Ecoboost variants all mated to a six-speed automatic.

The new Escape will be shown either at the end of the year or early in 2016, and go on sale shortly after.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Ford Escape caught testing with barely any camo. It's a mild-to-moderate refresh of the popular compact crossover and a staple of the Ford lineup. Changes to the exterior include revisions to make it appear more like the latest Fords, including the midsized Edge crossover. Up front, we can see that it will be graced with an all-new front clip, which includes a new grille, headlights and fog lights. Out back, it gets an all-new tailgate with new taillights, and looks a little reminiscent of ’06–’10 BMW X3.

Inside, the Escape will get a new interior along the lines of other recent Fords, such as the facelifted ’15 Focus. A larger center screen is expected to house SYNC 3—the replacement for MyFord Touch. Physical controls will also replace the touch-capacitive audio controls on the current model. Other revisions will likely include materials upgrades.

Powertrains are likely to continue with a 2.5L and 1.6L and 2.0 Ecoboost variants all mated to a six-speed automatic.

The new Escape will be shown either at the end of the year or early in 2016, and go on sale shortly after.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA PR

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently issued a letter recognizing the SEMA Emissions Compliance Center as a Certification Ready Automotive Emissions Testing Laboratory, making it possible for SEMA to assist members in all aspects of securing CARB and federal EPA emissions compliance.

“The SEMA Emissions Compliance Center makes SEMA Members the priority customer, offering SEMA Member Benefit pricing and testing so our manufacturers can secure emissions compliance easily, quickly and affordably,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM relations and product development. “We’re excited to receive the CARB recognition letter. The SEMA Emissions Compliance Center can now provide fully comprehensive services and assist members with the emissions certification process from start to finish.”

Emissions testing is an important part of the Executive Order (EO) development process for those products that may impact the emissions from a vehicle. The federal Clean Air Act and the California Vehicle Code both include prohibitions against making alterations that may increase emissions. The CARB EO process satisfies the legal requirements for aftermarket products in demonstrating both California and EPA emissions compliance.

Very few emissions labs include the high-tech tools featured in the SEMA Garage. Among the tools are: a 48-in. AVL-Zöllner 2WD emissions testing chassis dynamometer; AVL iGEM CVS system, AVL i60 AMA Emissions bench with HC, NOx, CO, CO2 and CH4 analyzers and AVL iGEM Vehicle software suite for test cell integration and control.

Additionally, the SEMA Emissions Compliance Center employs full-time staffing to walk members through the EO application and testing sequence, as well as assist in communication with CARB throughout the process.

The SEMA Garage opened in 2013 and was recently renovated to include state-of-the-art equipment designed to help manufacturers develop products quickly, easily and cost-effectively.

Services offered at the SEMA Garage include vehicle lifts, a 3D scanner, 3D printer, a full size vehicle Photo Studio and a Training Facility that includes high-tech AV equipment.

Located in Diamond Bar, California, adjacent to SEMA Headquarters, the SEMA Garage services are available to all SEMA Members. To learn more about the SEMA Garage, visit www.semagarage.com.

By SEMA PR

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently issued a letter recognizing the SEMA Emissions Compliance Center as a Certification Ready Automotive Emissions Testing Laboratory, making it possible for SEMA to assist members in all aspects of securing CARB and federal EPA emissions compliance.

“The SEMA Emissions Compliance Center makes SEMA Members the priority customer, offering SEMA Member Benefit pricing and testing so our manufacturers can secure emissions compliance easily, quickly and affordably,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM relations and product development. “We’re excited to receive the CARB recognition letter. The SEMA Emissions Compliance Center can now provide fully comprehensive services and assist members with the emissions certification process from start to finish.”

Emissions testing is an important part of the Executive Order (EO) development process for those products that may impact the emissions from a vehicle. The federal Clean Air Act and the California Vehicle Code both include prohibitions against making alterations that may increase emissions. The CARB EO process satisfies the legal requirements for aftermarket products in demonstrating both California and EPA emissions compliance.

Very few emissions labs include the high-tech tools featured in the SEMA Garage. Among the tools are: a 48-in. AVL-Zöllner 2WD emissions testing chassis dynamometer; AVL iGEM CVS system, AVL i60 AMA Emissions bench with HC, NOx, CO, CO2 and CH4 analyzers and AVL iGEM Vehicle software suite for test cell integration and control.

Additionally, the SEMA Emissions Compliance Center employs full-time staffing to walk members through the EO application and testing sequence, as well as assist in communication with CARB throughout the process.

The SEMA Garage opened in 2013 and was recently renovated to include state-of-the-art equipment designed to help manufacturers develop products quickly, easily and cost-effectively.

Services offered at the SEMA Garage include vehicle lifts, a 3D scanner, 3D printer, a full size vehicle Photo Studio and a Training Facility that includes high-tech AV equipment.

Located in Diamond Bar, California, adjacent to SEMA Headquarters, the SEMA Garage services are available to all SEMA Members. To learn more about the SEMA Garage, visit www.semagarage.com.

By Carr Winn

In 2013, George Barris was honored with a well-deserved admission into SEMA’s most famous club, the Hall of Fame. Despite a Rolodex of high-profile clients and a warehouse full of vehicles he designed for some of the most iconic television and film projects, he made one thing clear, “I’m a people guy.” To Barris, the relationships he forged over his 60-plus-year career were his favorite achievement. With such a huge following, it was tragic this past week when news of his passing began circulating among attendees at the SEMA Show.

When visiting his shop in North Hollywood several years ago, the SEMA News staff was awestruck at the number of truly famous vehicles that had been created by Barris and his team. As he walked along a collection of photos in his shop, he smiled as he fondly retold the story of designing a unique limousine for a musician. He explained that the client loved boats, and how that was the inspiration for the interior treatment. He talked about how Priscilla also loved the car…and that was when the writers realized the King of Kustomizers had built this special ride for another King, a gentleman by the name of Elvis.

There are numerous stories along similar lines. In fact, almost all comic book fans know Barris from his work on the Batmobile. Built from a ’55 Lincoln Futura concept car, he even let us in on a little secret that day at his shop. Inside the front fender, where TV audiences knew to look for a special oil slick weapon, he had installed two sprinkler heads typically found in the ceiling of most office buildings. He laughed and talked about how much he enjoyed hiding details like this particular weapon for one of DC Comics’ most prolific heroes in his projects.

In every creation, his goal was for fans to picture themselves riding shotgun with their heroes. The vehicles had to be larger-than-life in some ways, but also real enough to keep our imaginations in overdrive. Time and time again he achieved this perfect balance, and fans flocked to local toy stores to buy their own miniature version of his work. At one point or another, every kitchen floor in the country probably hosted a car chase involving either the General Lee, K.I.T.T. from “Knight Rider” or the “A-Team” van.

“I have admired George for years. We were inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame together and bonded over our deep passion for cars and love for our industry,” said SEMA Chairman-elect Wade Kawasaki of Coker Tire. "He was a great advocate for the aftermarket, and for the past few years we've enjoyed attending nearly all industry events with our families. I am so grateful for George's friendship and will miss him. His incredible kustom [sic] creations are iconic and transcend generations; he will be missed but never forgotten."

Despite a long list of international accolades, Barris considered induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame a special honor.

“I’ve belonged to a lot of associations, and I’ve gotten a lot of awards from the movie industry, but SEMA is my world,” he said. “I’m a car guy.”

Connecting young people with the passion and excitement of custom car building will forever be the legacy of George Barris. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Barris family.

A visitation ceremony will be held at Forrest Lawn, Church of the Recessional in Glendale, California, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., Friday, November 27. Funeral services will be held at Forest Lawn, Hall of Liberty, Saturday, November 28 at 10:00 a.m.