GOING GLOBAL
Ford’s 2015 edge will be sold in Europe, North America and China and is all new from the rubber up.
DEARBORN, MICH.— Ford has pulled the wraps off its 2015 Edge.
The latest Edge is all-new from the rubber up. It will be offered in usual models (SE and SEL) along with the jazzed-up Sport and new top-of-the-line Titanium model.
The latter has leather seating, a full-on navigation system and a panoramic moonroof, along with a Sony sound system and an eight-inch touch screen for the infotainment system.
In all cases, the Edge’s look is crisper and has better overall proportions than the outgoing model.
The new model is 100 millimetres longer overall and the wheelbase has grown by 25 mm. This gives you more interior space and an increase in cargo capacity.
More importantly, the new Edge boasts a completely reworked suspension. Ford says the new setup brings better comfort and improved handling.
The steering has been changed to an electric-assist type. Of more significance is the new adaptive steering system found in the Sport. Ford’s take on adaptive puts an electric motor between the steering wheel and the steering shaft. Rather than the driver physically turning the front wheels, it is the motor that determines the amount of movement based on driver’s input. This gives it a variable ratio that brings better on-centre feel at speed and few turns lock-to-lock in a parking manoeuvre.
The Edge will also be the first Ford to launch with an all-EcoBoost engine line up.
All models except the Titanium and Sport arrive with a totally new 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine. It has a new block, higher compression ratio and redesigned head with larger exhaust valves. It also gets new fuel injectors and an active oil control system, along with idle start/stop.
The bigger news is, it now uses a twin-scroll turbocharger. Ford said it will have at least 245 horsepower, better fuel economy and a 1,591-kilogram towing capacity.
As a side benefit, this engine can now be teamed with the available all-wheel-drive system. This is a big deal because 75 per cent of the Edges sold in Canada drive all four wheels.
For those who want a traditional normally aspirated engine, there will be a 3.5L V-6 available as an option. The Sport and Titanium both use an equally new 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 with twin turbochargers. It will put out a generous 300-plus horsepower.
All engines will be teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The paddles are now active in drive — the driver can downshift if the need arises, but when left alone for a short period the box reverts to its automatic operation. There is also a sport mode.
Finally, the new Edge debuts some new technology. First, there is a new forward-facing camera that gives a 180-degree view of the area ahead.
The Edge also features a new glovebox airbag.
Another improvement is the “enhanced” Active Parking system — it not only parallel parks, it can now park perpendicular to the curb between two cars and features a new pullout system that gets the car out of the space.
Other safety features include AdvanceTrac, along with rollstability control and curve control. The latter recognizes when the car is going into a corner too hot and backs off the throttle and uses all four brakes to get the speed down in a controlled manner.
The final specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the Edge’s launch in the first quarter of next year.