2011 Ford Edge
2011 Ford Edge
Ford's first experiment in the CUV arena, the Edge, has enjoyed segment leading sales beginning with its first full year on sale. Now, Ford is providing the crossover with its first significant refresh that includes three new engines, two transmissions, styling changes and improvements inside and out to materials and design.
At first glance it is quite obvious that the new Edge has received a thorough reworking of the entire front fascia, as well as changes to the rear of the vehicle. The new grille immediately brings back memories of the original Ford Sport Trac Adrenaline concept, although with a modern Fusion-esque style. Standard halogen headlamps are gone, replaced with projector headlamps for function and cosmetic appeal �€“ HID projectors optional. Below, the traditional fog lamp housings have been replaced with LED light bars, similar to those found on the Taurus SHO or Ford Fiesta.
2011 Ford Edge
Out back, the cheap looking chrome housing in the tail lamps has been dropped for a more conventional red style, complete with uniquely stylized indentations in the tail lamp housings which have "EDGE" embossed into the plastic. Other changes to the rear of the crossover include minor changes to the general shape of the rear bumper and lower fascia, as well as the addition of an external handle and chrome 'wings' on either side of the Ford oval.
Although the outgoing Edge's interior was generally considered ergonomically sound and modestly appealing to the eye, hard plastic and a lack of design language kept the Edge's interior from being particularly memorable. For the latest model, Ford says it made considerable improvements to overall design, layout and particularly to materials. The new Edge enjoys a more upscale look and feel, along with simplified controls via new interfacing technologies.
2011 Ford Edge
Gone is the rock hard door panel plastic, here are soft touch materials with special acoustic dampening properties to help make the Edge one of the quietest interiors in the class. Ford says that the new Edge will benefit from an extensive combination of changes aimed at reducing noise in the cabin, including: a new and more absorptive sound pack throughout the interior, an acoustic headliner, a new robust engine cover, several subframe mount additions and upgrades, a laminated windshield, underbody shields and a re-tuned exhaust system.The result? Ford says the new Edge will have a quieter interior than the more upscale Lexus RX350, Audi Q5 and Acura MDX models.
2011 Ford Edge
The Edge has been offered with a single 3.5-liter V6 and automatic transmission across the entire range since launch. Now, Ford has made significant changes to the outgoing model's 3.5-liter V6 for increased power and efficiency, added a 3.7-liter V6 for the Edge Sport and added an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder which will make it's North American debut in the Edge.The outgoing 3.5-liter V6 was good for 265 horsepower, 16 city, and 24 highway mpg in front-wheel drive trim. The new 3.5-liter V6 will make use of the addition of Ti-VCT technology and improvements to the engine's internal components, which result in a net output of 285 horsepower. Despite the increased power, Ford says this V6 will return 27 mpg on the highway -- a 3 mpg gain over the previous model with the same displacement. Ford says this new engine will be unsurpassed in fuel economy, and beat many models in power, too.
The Edge has been offered with a single 3.5-liter V6 and automatic transmission across the entire range since launch. Now, Ford has made significant changes to the outgoing model's 3.5-liter V6 for increased power and efficiency, added a 3.7-liter V6 for the Edge Sport and added an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder which will make it's North American debut in the Edge.
The outgoing 3.5-liter V6 was good for 265 horsepower, 16 city, and 24 highway mpg in front-wheel drive trim. The new 3.5-liter V6 will make use of the addition of Ti-VCT technology and improvements to the engine's internal components, which result in a net output of 285 horsepower. Despite the increased power, Ford says this V6 will return 27 mpg on the highway -- a 3 mpg gain over the previous model with the same displacement. Ford says this new engine will be unsurpassed in fuel economy, and beat many models in power, too.
2011 Ford Edge
For the first time the Edge Sport will enjoy an engine worthy of its name. The new 3.7-liter ti-VCT V6 is essentially the same V6 found in the new 2011 Mustang, and in the Edge it is good for 305 hp and 280 ft.-lb of torque. Like the new 3.5-liter V6 in the base and Limited Edge models, the 3.7-liter V6 will be mounted to a six-speed automatic transmission, but unlike the standard Edge, the Sport gains class-exclusive paddle activation of the SelectShift transmission. Ford says that it tuned this system to offer maximum driver control, removing the forced redline shifting found in most manually shiftable automatic transmissions.
2011 Ford Edge
Arguably the most important engine change for the Edge line will be the new 2.0-liter I4 EcoBoost engine -- raising fuel economy by 30 percent over the original powertrain found in the Edge at launch. Although unofficial at this point, expected fuel economy is 19 to 21 mpg city, and as high as 31 highway. Power for this fairly diminutive powerplant is expected to be in the realm of 230 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque.Often going unnoticed at auto shows and showrooms alike are the suspension and various other components that determine the driving dynamics of a vehicle. For the new Edge, Ford remembered how important these 'invisible' components can be, and decided to start with a new wheel and tire lineup across the models. The Edge SEL and Limited now feature standard 18-inch wheels and the Edge Sport gains 22-inch wheels -- also standard.
2011 Ford Edge
To make sure that the new wheels and tires were properly received by the vehicle, Ford says it has re-tuned the shocks, springs and stabilizer bars -- with a net tightening of handling as the end result.To help bring this hulking CUV to a hasty stop, Ford added new four-wheel disc brakes with increased stopping power. Changes include steel pistons, larger rear rotors, among other changes. The 2011 Edge also gains Hill Start Assist, which is a new technology designed to reduce rollback when starting on hills.
2011 Ford Edge
The new Edge debuts Ford's newest infotainment driver interface system, known as MyFord. This system will make use of a single 8-inch LCD screen in the center of the dash, in addition to two 4.2-inch LCD screens located in the gauge cluster. Ford says this new system will replace many traditional knobs and dials, and help drivers to operate auxiliary devices in less time and with less effort -- increasing their focus on the road ahead.Reaching into the tech-packed Taurus SHO's bag of tricks, the Edge gains Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support for added convenience and safety.
Ford's MyKey and Easy Fuel Capless fuel-filler systems are also present for the new Edge.
2011 Ford Edge
