COLOGNE, Germany, June 25, 2014 – Ford Motor Company today revealed the all-new Ford Edge, a high tech, upscale utility vehicle that will go on sale across Europe for the first time in 2015.
The all-new Edge has been designed from the ground up to be visually athletic and to meet high expectations for quality in Europe and around the world.
The Edge also will deliver advanced new technologies as the third chapter in Ford’s SUV expansion plan for Europe – joining the new Kuga medium-sized SUV and the all-new EcoSport small SUV.
“We are leveraging our One Ford portfolio to offer a broader range of products to our customers in Europe. This year we have already launched EcoSport, with new Mondeo and Focus on the way,” said Stephen Odell, president, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Next year, we will launch all-new Edge, new Mustang for the first time in Europe – as well as our Vignale range.”
First launched in North America in 2007, the Edge helped reshape the industry’s definition of a traditional SUV, and define and establish “crossover SUV” segment. Today, Edge is consistently a top-selling vehicle in the segment in North America – achieving record sales in 2013 – and is offered for sale in select markets in South America, Russia and eastern Asia, including China.
With the all-new Edge, Ford in Europe will enter a new segment, offering customers an upscale, refined, technologically advanced and spacious SUV. Featuring a four-door, five-seat configuration and Ford’s intrinsic fun-to-drive DNA, all-new Edge will first go on sale in North America early next year, followed by Europe, South America and Asia Pacific later in 2015.
“All-new Edge will deliver more room for passengers than large competitor SUVs that cost considerably more. The styling and suite of comfort, convenience and safety technologies in Edge rival the premium offerings in Europe.” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe.
Advanced technology
The all-new Edge will feature Adaptive Steering, which will make Edge easier to manoeuvre and more fun to drive, and introduces to Europe Active Noise Cancellation technology and Front Split View Camera.
Adaptive Steering continually changes the steering ratio with vehicle speed, optimising the steering response in all conditions. At lower speeds, such as when pulling into a parking space or manoeuvring in tight quarters, the new system makes the vehicle more agile and easier to turn. At highway speeds, it enables Edge to react more smoothly and precisely to driver input.
Ford’s Active Noise Cancellation system employs three microphones in the cabin and generates opposing sound waves directed through the audio system that enhance the overall engine sound and cabin ambiance. Front Split View Camera technology makes negotiating difficult junctions or parking spaces with restricted visibility easier through the use of a 180 degree camera system installed at the front of the vehicle. The Edge also features specially designed ducts along the side of the vehicle that create an “air curtain,” improving aerodynamics at speed.
Further technologies that will feature on all-new Edge include:
Dynamic design, quality and handling
Material and visual quality was a focal point during development. Throughout the vehicle, the design has been executed in a way that reduces visual cut lines. The team worked on the smallest of details, such as how the front doors meet the instrument panel, simplifying the merging points and reducing potential alignment issues.
All-new Edge features a charismatic exterior design, with the prominent chrome grille, the thin and chiselled front LED headlamps, and the three-dimensional blade shape rear LED tail lamps. The pronounced wheel openings house 20-inch alloy wheels.
A sophisticated body structure and suspension system absorbs and masks road imperfections and noise without compromising handling, helping to deliver a driving experience that fully meets the expectations of European consumers.
Integral-link, independent rear suspension ensures a dynamic and engaging ride. High-strength steels contribute to a solid body structure that helps deliver more dynamic and responsive handling. Interior refinement also has been optimised through the use of acoustic glass, and the Edge utilises tyres that have been specially selected for reduced road noise.
In Europe, Ford will offer for Edge two versions of Ford’s 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine:
Driving Growth
The new Ford Edge will ensure Ford offers a complete range of vehicles to meet increasing consumer demand within the fastest growing vehicle segment.
According to Ford data, the European utility segment grew to 21 per cent from 10 per cent between 2008 and 2013. Sales of the new Kuga SUV, launched in 2012, increased by 38 per cent year-over-year for the first five months of 2014 and Ford has already taken more than 16,000 orders for the all-new EcoSport SUV that is in dealerships now.
“We are delivering a truly technologically advanced SUV that can meet and exceed expectations in this growing segment, and complement new Kuga and all-new EcoSport to offer a complete SUV range,” de Waard said, “Over the past few years we have seen a dramatic shift among customers from cars to SUVs around the world. The time is right for a larger, more upscale SUV at the top of our European line-up.”
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 50,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 69,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (13 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 11 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
