Ford's global model restructuring plan is nearer the latter stages of completion and the latest part to fall into place is an all-new large five-seat SUV that is hoped will enable the Blue Oval to win over customers that traditionally stuck to premium brands. Despite the larger size Ford has kept the Edge to a five-seat format in the interests of offering passengers plenty of space, while still allowing for a high degree of versatility.
Exterior
Of all three SUVs now in the Ford line-up the Edge is the sportiest and most aggressively styled. It has a rugged, chunky appearance. A bold grille design is very much along the lines of what we are used to seeing Stateside, but it doesn't look at all out of place on the Edge. Those opting to go for the 'Sport' trim level get a darker finish on the grille in addition to 20-inch alloy wheels. The clamshell-like bonnet design, similar to the Kuga's, features two defined 'power lines'.
A generous glass area - framed by chrome trim - allows for plenty of light to flood into the cabin and adds to the spacious feeling, while the kink around the C-pillar maintains the sporty appearance. Sharp creases along the shoulder line and the lower doors help to give the Edge a taut look too, which is more road-biased than rugged off-road. Generously sized door apertures give passengers easy access in and out of the cabin while at the rear Ford's automated boot lid, first seen on the Kuga, also makes an appearance.
Interior
Although Ford will offer three trim levels - Trend, Sport and Titanium - it expects three quarters of all Edges sold to be in the range-topping specification. The interior design is a far simpler affair than we have seen in Fords of late. Gone is the busy centre console and in its place is a more flowing design featuring less buttons and, most noticeably, an increase in quality in terms of the look and feel of the plastics used. All-new front seats present a much slimmer design than what is usually seen in this segment, which is beneficial to rear passengers in terms of additional legroom.
Mechanicals
Ford plans to offer just two engine choices in the Edge, both diesel - a 180hp 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi unit mated with a manual gearbox, delivering 400Nm of torque and an expected CO2 output of 149g/km. For those that want that bit more there will be a more powerful 210hp version of that engine, paired with a six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, which also gives the driver the option of paddle-shift controls. With more power also comes an increase in CO2 output, 159g/km in this case, although the 450Nm of torque on tap may convince buyers to go for it.
But there's more to the Edge than just some new engines; Ford is employing lots of new technology in what will be its flagship SUV. A new Adaptive Steering system has been developed that reduces the level of steering input required from the driver by up to 40 per cent at low speeds. An enhanced parking system has also been developed for the Edge, which enables the car to manoeuvre itself into both parallel and perpendicular spaces and now employs advanced camera technology to give the driver a 180-degree field of vision when nosing out of a space.
Anything else?
Ford will also be offering increased levels of rear passenger protection with the introduction of a new Inflatable Rear Seat Belt system, which essentially acts as an airbag across the area of the seat belt. According to Ford's claims this can greatly reduce the degree of impact on an occupant in the event of a collision. Ford expects the Edge to go on sale towards the end of this year with pricing due to be confirmed ahead of its official launch.