2007 Ford Edge Overview
 2007 Ford Edge |
FORD BRINGS
NEW EDGE TO HOT CROSSOVER MARKET DETROIT, Jan. 8, 2006 – Bold, American design distinguishes the
2007 Ford Edge in the red-hot crossover utility vehicle (CUV) market
– along with a dynamic driving character and innovative features
designed to make it the "crossover of the year." Equipped with an all-new 250-horsepower V-6 engine and 6-speed
automatic transmission, Edge will deliver performance, quietness and fuel
efficiency. Ford Edge is expected to achieve fuel economy in the mid
twenties in highway driving. "Edge underscores the bold, American design direction for all Ford
vehicles going forward," says Mark Fields, president, The Americas, Ford
Motor Company. "Edge also is packed with Ford innovation – from its
panoramic glass roof and laptop-friendly center console to fuel-saving
engine and advanced safety features. We expect Edge to make waves in the
hot crossover market this year just like the Fusion did for midsize cars
last year." The CUV is the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the United States,
outpacing even the remarkable growth SUVs achieved in the 1990s. CUVs
surpassed 2 million U.S. sales in 2005 and are on pace in 2006 to exceed
traditional SUV sales for the first time. Two distinct consumer trends have helped fuel the explosive growth of
the CUV segment: car buyers seeking more spacious and flexible interiors
along with the security of all-wheel drive, and traditional SUV buyers
seeking more maneuverable and fuel-efficient vehicles that still make an
active lifestyle possible. Most crossovers have been designed to closely resemble traditional
SUVs. Edge heads to a new, unexplored part of the CUV market with a bold,
modern, uniquely American design. "Edge is not an off-road adventure vehicle, and it doesn’t look
like one," says Peter Horbury, executive director, North America Design.
"The inspiration for the Edge is contemporary design and an adventurous
state of mind." Edge’s visual promise of dynamic prowess begins with its bold
front end. Its distinctive three-bar chromed grille builds on the great
look of the Ford Fusion. An aggressively raked windshield and fast-sloping
back window with high-mounted rear spoiler accentuate the feeling of
motion. Quad-beam headlamps and a "powerdome" hood accentuate the
purposeful front-end look. Each wheel is planted at an extreme corner, giving Edge a powerful, yet
graceful stance. The raised beltline emphasizes strong, sculpted shoulders
formed around sharp wheel arches. Matte black lower front and rear fascias
and side rocker panels emphasize Edge’s sporty character. Edge’s modern design flows into the interior, evident in the
instrument panel and distinctive center stack. The center stack design
incorporates two 9- by 2-inch vertical vents that bracket the audio and
climate-control switches. All-leather seating surfaces feature contrasting
stitching inspired by the fashion industry and a hit with Fusion
customers. "Edge has an expressive look that evokes a connection with the
customer’s lifestyle," Horbury says. "It was important that we design
Edge to have maximum flexibility in the amount of gear it can accommodate
while still offering customers a contemporary vehicle they can take out on
the town." Edge is designed to fit the customer’s need for style as well as
cargo space and adaptability. For example, the large center console uses a
removable divider and tray to organize the space both vertically and
horizontally for everything from laptop computers and handbags to coins and
MP3 players. An optional concealed plug means that the Edge has four power points,
three within the driver’s reach, along with a segment-first MP3 audio
jack. Small slots molded into the side of the console keep phone and MP3
cords neat and organized. The console lid has a ticket clip, two pen
holders and a tissue holder.
The 2007 Ford Edge defines the crossover
utility market with bold, American design and innovation.
The bold three-bar grille of the Edge is
inspired by the Ford Fusion and Ford 427 concept.
CUVs are Hot
Since 1995, car-based CUVs have been steadily
gaining sales on truckbased SUVs. CUV sales likely will surpass traditional
SUVs in 2006.
Adaptable, Flexible Design
More than 41 models occupy the CUV segment
today, but only three compete in a niche subsegment dominated by foreign
competition. The 2007 Ford Edge crossover will be the only domestic product
in this sub-segment later this year.
Edge also is big on details. A 20-ounce-cup holder is included in each
front-door map pocket, along with juice box holders in the rear door
pockets, two super-size-cup holders in the center console and two in the
rear armrest.
The reconfigurable center console can hold
objects as large as a laptop and features a concealed power point and
MP3-audio input jack.
 Edge offers comfortable seating for five or can accommodate items up to 8 feet long with the rear seats and front passenger seat folded flat. |
Edge comfortably seats five, offering available six-way power, heated, adjustable front seats and best-in-class adult headroom and legroom for the second row. An easy-to-use available folding front-passenger seat creates an extended load floor.
The 60/40 reclining split second row folds to provide a level load floor for carrying equipment in the large cargo area. Edge can transport items as long as 8 feet inside with the front passenger seat folded down. Each rear seat can be folded manually using an industry-first single-hand release or automatically with an available EasyFold™ electro-mechanical remote release accessible from the rear cargo area.
Edge options include Ford’s next-generation DVD-based navigation system and factory-installed Sirius satellite radio. Rear-seat passengers can enjoy the available DVD entertainment system with a drop-down 8-inch screen and two pairs of wireless headphones.
Class-Exclusive Panoramic Vista Roof™ Edge’s class-exclusive Vista Roof™ glass roof brings open-air motoring to the crossover segment. |
Edge’s available panoramic Vista Roof™ opens up a whole world of possibilities. The large glass moon roof provides a grand view of the sky above and can open for a sense of freedom that accentuates Edge’s sporting nature.
 The tilt-and-slide front roof and fixed rear glass panel of the Vista Roof™ provide panoramic views for front and rear passengers. |
The roof features a large 27.3- by 29.4-inch forward panel that offers tilt and slide opening, and a 15.75- by 31.3-inch fixed rear glass panel. A one-touch-open switch provides open-air touring. Close the forward roof, and the enormous skylights allow natural light to flood the cabin, while protecting the cabin from the elements. When preferred, the twin power-operated cloth shades can be closed simultaneously to block glare.
"When you sit in this vehicle and look up and see the sky all around you, you just want to take it out for a drive and chase the horizon," says Horbury.
Engaging Driving Dynamics Set Edge ApartEdge embodies a unique sense of adventure. "We’ve instilled Edge with balanced, agile and fun-to-drive dynamics," says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Product Development. "Getting to wherever you’re going can be part of the fun of the adventure."
Edge’s modern car-based foundation facilitates its excellent driving character. The front suspension features MacPherson struts and an isolated subframe, firmly attached in six locations. To further smooth out the ride, hydro-bushings are used.
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The four-link independent rear suspension uses stamped steel control blades for precise suspension tuning. The rear shocks are mounted as far outboard as possible in the vehicle and behind the wheel center to improve ride and handling. Edge comes standard with four-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes.
 Edge’s solid foundation and advanced independent rear suspension create an engaging driving experience. |
"We tuned Edge to be very responsive, offering drivers a confident ride without compromising the fun-to-drive quotient," says Elaine Bannon, Edge chief vehicle engineer.
Edge’s all-new 3.5-liter V-6 features a strong, lightweight, die-cast aluminum block and lightweight 4-valve-per-cylinder heads for smooth operation at high rpm. A 10.3:1 compression ratio and close-coupled catalysts will help it meet stringent ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) II regulations.
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The all-new 6-speed automatic transmission uses a wide 6.04:1 gear ratio to deliver good fuel economy and performance. Short first and second gears provide impressive launch and acceleration, while the tall overdrive gears deliver 7 percent better fuel economy than a 4-speed automatic.
Edge’s available intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) system was tuned with an emphasis on performance while offering confident all-weather driving. By constantly monitoring and predicting traction, the system delivers torque to all four wheels, even before the wheels begin to slip. An active on-demand coupler can deliver the precise amount of torque to the rear wheels. Paired with available AdvanceTrac® traction control, intelligent AWD can transfer torque front-to-rear and side-to-side.
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Safety Begins with Accidents Avoided
Edge customers will find peace of mind in Ford’s comprehensive approach to safety, including available active safety technology and comprehensive passive safety features.
"Edge’s confident handling helps drivers avoid accidents, especially when paired with the industry-exclusive AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®)," says Stephen Kozak, Ford Safety chief engineer. "Should an accident occur, Edge features a comprehensive package of passive safety features to help provide enhanced safety performance."
Edge is available with Ford’s AdvanceTrac® with RSC®, the industry’s only electronic stability control system that uses two gyroscopic sensors to monitor both yaw and roll motions. Monitoring both motions allows for yaw-control enhancements, providing class-leading side-slip and roll stability control.
Edge comes standard with dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, an energy-absorbing steering wheel and knee bolster for the driver and an energy-absorbing glove box for the passenger. The driver seat uses a seat position sensor while the passenger seat uses an occupant classification sensor – both are equipped with load-limiting safety belts and pretensioners.
Edge offers several layers of side-impact protection, including solid unibody construction with cross-member ladder frame, a reinforced greenhouse, energy-absorbing side door trim, available seat-mounted side air bags and Ford’s Safety Canopy™ system with rollover detection and extended-duration side curtain air bags.
Impressive Interior QuietnessEdge’s well-rounded, modern performance extends to impressive refinement, enhancing the driving experience.
Engineers spent hundreds of hours fine-tuning Edge’s interior ambiance. For example, the side mirrors were specifically designed to reduce wind noise. Even the radio antenna was scrutinized. Engineers took clay modelers into the wind tunnel to fine-tune the mirror design.
By modifying the pitch and height of the spiral by tenths of a millimeter, wind noise was reduced by as much as two decibels.
Ford Aims for CUV Leadership Edge joins Ford's CUV growth, which outpaced the competition in 2005. |
With its unique combination of styling, capability and driving dynamics, Edge is the perfect complement to Ford Motor Company’s expanding CUV lineup. Ford outpaced the competition in CUV growth in 2005 and looks to further energize the CUV market in 2006 with the new Edge and two other crossovers – the Lincoln MKX and Mazda CX-7.
Ford Edge goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2006. It will be manufactured at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.
Specs:
2007 Ford Edge Technical Specs
2007 Ford Edge Chassis
2007 Ford Edge Powertrain
2007 Ford Edge Interior/Exterior