Ford launches its new SUV aiming for BMW X3 and Audi A5
Ford has unveiled its new Edge SUV which will take on the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. It will go on sale in Europe next year. Ford describes the mid-size five-seater as an ‘upscale utility vehicle’ and is based on the same worldwide C/D platform as the forthcoming new Mondeo and S-Max models.
The latest SUV will be the flagship model for Ford sitting above the Kuga and the EcoSport. Ford says the utility segment of the European new car market has grown from 10 per cent in 2008 to 21 per cent last year, with sales of the Kuga said to be up 38 per cent year on year for the first five months of this year. The Edge has been on sale in the US for a while but due to Ford’s vision-OneFord, it is being launched in Europe.
Ford describes the car as “upscale, refined, technologically advanced and spacious”. Ford’s European marketing chief, Roelant de Waard, said the Edge offers more passenger space than similar-sized SUVs that cost considerably more. “The styling and suite of comfort, convenience and safety technologies rival the premium offerings in Europe”
There are host of new technologies offered on the Edge which include Adaptive Steering, Front Split View Camera and Active Noise Cancellation. The Active Noise Cancellation system features three cabin-mounted microphones which it uses to help generate opposing sound waves via the audio system’s speakers. These sound waves act as cancellation against unwanted engine and road noise in the Edge’s cabin. There is also the familiar technology such as automatic city braking and blind spot warning. It has an optional all-wheel drive system that can include Torque Vectoring Control and Curve Control.
Ford has unveiled a pair of 2.0-litre Duratorq diesel engines will be offered with the car. One version produces 177bhp and 295lb ft and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and CO2 output of 149g/km, while the other makes 207bhp and 332lb ft mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and has a projected 159g/km CO2 output. The Ford Edge will likely start from around £30,000.