Ford Edge

Infobox Automobile
name = Ford Edge


manufacturer = Ford Motor Company
production = 2006-present
class = Mid-size crossover SUV
body_style = 5-door SUV
engine = 3.5 L (213 CID) "Duratec 35" V6
transmission = 6-speed "6F" automatic
layout = Front engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
platform = Ford CD3 platform
related = Ford Fusion
Lincoln MKX
Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ
Mazda6
Mazda CX-7
Mazda CX-9
Mercury Milan
assembly = Oakville, Ontario, Canada Buffalo, New York
length = 185.7 in (4720 mm)
wheelbase = 111.2 in (2825 mm)
width = 75.8 in (1925 mm)
height = 67.0 in (1700 mm)

The Edge is a premium mid-size crossover SUV (CUV) manufactured by Ford, based on the Ford CD3 platform — and marketed in slightly modified form as the Lincoln MKX. The platform is shared with Mazda CX-9 crossover, the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and the Lincoln MKZ sedans. The Edge is the smaller of Ford's present crossover lineup as follows:

*Ford Edge (mid-size crossover)
*Ford Taurus X (mid-size crossover)
*Ford Flex (full-size crossover)

Production

The Edge made its public debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January 2006, with production starting in the October 2006 as a 2007 model, with the first ones reaching dealerships just before December 25, 2006, because of a brief delay in production due to issues with the supplier Fact|date=May 2007. The Edge (codename "U387") is built at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

As a crossover vehicle, the Edge bridges the gap between minivans like the now discontinued Freestar, and truck-based sport utility vehicles such as the Explorer. The Edge officially slots below the Taurus X in Ford's crossover SUV lineup. The Edge implements Ford's front end design with a three bar chrome grille.

Although North America is the primary market for the vehicle, Ford also intends to market the Edge in 40 additional countries, including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Panama. The Edge is also marketed in Israel.

Edge's U.S. sales have increased steadily since its launch, outselling all other mid- to large-sized crossover SUVs from January to June 2007 with over 58,000 units sold. [cite web|url=http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=26169|title=Top Ten Ford and Lincoln Mercury Highlights for the Week of June 11, 2007|publisher=Ford Motor Company] [cite web|url=http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=26099&make_id=trust|title=New Crossovers Drive Ford Retail Sales|publisher=Ford Motor Company] 2007 sales totaled over 130,000 units. The Edge is now the best-selling mid-size SUV in the United States.

Equipment

The Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX are among the first vehicles to use Ford's new 3.5 L "Duratec 35" V6 engine. This new 213-cubic-inch engine produces 265 hp (197 kW) and 250 ft·lbf (186 N·m) and is mated to the new "6F" six-speed automatic transmission, which was co-developed with General Motors. Fuel economy is rated at 15 (AWD) to 16 (FWD) mpg-US in the City and 22 (AWD) to 24 (FWD) mpg-US on the Highway. [cite web|url=http://www.jbcarpages.com/ford/edge/2008/specs/|title=2008 Ford Edge Specs|publisher=JB car pages|accessdate=2008-08-12]

The Edge is available with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

Initially introduced in 2007 with the three trim levels SE, SEL, and SEL Plus,cite web|url=http://www.jbcarpages.com/ford/edge/2007/|title=2007 Ford Edge Review|publisher=JB car pages|accessdate=2008-08-12] the SEL Plus was superseded by the Limited trim in 2008.cite web|url=http://www.jbcarpages.com/ford/edge/2008/|title=2008 Ford Edge Review|publisher=JB car pages|accessdate=2008-08-12]

Standard features on all trims include air conditioning; cruise control; driver's seat lumbar support; tilt and telescoping steering wheel; power windows, power door locks, and power mirrors; remote keyless entry; and P235/65R17 tires on alloy wheels.cite web|url=http://www.jbcarpages.com/ford/edge/2007/|title=2007 Ford Edge Review|publisher=JB car pages|accessdate=2008-08-12] cite web|url=http://www.jbcarpages.com/ford/edge/2008/|title=2008 Ford Edge Review|publisher=JB car pages|accessdate=2008-08-12]

afety

Safety equipment is includes standard dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

"National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings" [cite web|url=http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/safercar/menuitem.db847bd57e3dc1f885dfc38c35a67789/?vgnextoid=c95df2905bf54110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD|title=Ford Edge Crash Test Ratings|work=NHTSA|accessdate=2008-08-12]

Frontal Driver:

Frontal Passenger:

Side Impact:

Rollover:

port

The Sport appearance package for the Ford Edge debuted at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, with sales to begin as a 2009 model. [cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/chicago/2008/2009fordedgesport.html|title=2009 Ford Edge Sport|publisher=Inside Line] It will come with standard all-body colored trim and 20-inch wheels. Massive 22-inch wheels are an optional factory upgrade.

2010 Hybrid and Hydrogen (HySeries) versions

Ford Canada announced in June 2007, that a gasoline-electric hybrid version of the Edge will debut in the 2010 model year. The model is expected to use a new hybrid system from Ford, pairing Electric motor to a V6 engine. [cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/228210|title=Ford hybrid plans unclear after 2008|publisher=The Star]

Additionally, after public presentation in 2007, Ford has been carefully pointing on future production of its HySeries Edge. [cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/FVDP/Preview/styleId=100849249|title=Future Vehicles Preview|publisher=Inside Line] This vehicle uses a Hydrogen Fuel Cell along with plug-in charging of its lithium-ion battery pack, for a combined range of over 200 miles (320 km). The HySeries system was first introduced in the Ford Airstream concept from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. A concept of the Ford Edge with the HySeries Drive was unveiled in the 2007 Washington DC Auto Show. The HySeries system is related to General Motors E-Flex platform. The E-Flex Platform was introduced in the 2007 Detroit Auto Show as the power train of the Chevrolet Volt concept.

Awards

Ford Edge has received several honors:

*Ford Edge recognized as one of "Best Cars for Families" in 2007 by AAA and Parents Magazine.
*Edge earns IIHS "Top Safety Pick" rating for models built after January 2007
*3.5L Duratec 35 V6 named one of the world's "10 Best Engines" by Ward.
*Ford Edge named "2007 Urban Truck of the Year" by On Wheels, Inc.
*Edge wins J.D. Power and Associates 2007 " APEAL Award"

References

External links

* [http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/edge/ 2007 Ford Edge Overview and Specifications - from FordVehicles.com]
* [http://www.myfordedge.com Ford Edge Photos, Forums, and Documents]
* [http://www.thedrivingguru.com/road-tests/ford/edge/2007/ 2007 Ford Edge Road Test Review]