At the LA Auto Show, Ford pulled the covers off the all-new Ford Edge Concept, a vehicle designed to give a fairly accurate preview of the styling and technology direction of the company’s new large SUV for Europe. Already popular in the U.S. and other markets, the new Edge will be Ford’s first large SUV developed for Europe, one of 25 global vehicles that Ford confirmed last year will go on sale in Europe by 2017.
Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas said of the introduction: “The original Ford Edge offered customers in North America a fresh, compelling choice for an accommodating, efficient and safe utility vehicle. The next-generation Ford Edge previewed here will build on these cornerstones to create a global vehicle with technology to make life easier, and design and craftsmanship to appeal to customers around the globe”.
In Europe, where higher specification models currently account for 70 per cent of all Ford S‑MAX sales, the Edge will meet the demand for upmarket, technologically advanced SUVs. SUV sales in the region grew from 6.5 per cent to almost 12 per cent of vehicle sales between 2005 and 2012, and Ford projects that between 2013 and 2018 sales of all SUVs in Europe will increase by 22 per cent.
In Europe, where higher specification models currently account for 70 per cent of all Ford S‑MAX sales, the Edge will meet the demand for upmarket, technologically advanced SUVs. SUV sales in the region grew from 6.5 per cent to almost 12 per cent of vehicle sales between 2005 and 2012, and Ford projects that between 2013 and 2018 sales of all SUVs in Europe will increase by 22 per cent.
The Ford Edge Concept offers driver-assist technologies and semi-automated features such as:
Fully Assisted Parking Aid – A prototype technology which builds on Ford’s Active Park Assist feature to let customers park their vehicles at the touch of a button
Obstacle Avoidance systems – The research and development vehicle currently being tested can issue warnings if it detects slow-moving objects or stationary obstacles in the same lane ahead. If the driver fails to steer or brake following warnings the system automatically steers and brakes the vehicle to avoid a collision.
Stylewise, the new Ford Edge Concept is designed to appear athletic and sturdy. It’s not exactly a revolutionary design – playing it safe in terms of styling. But it should appeal to the majority of SUV buyers.
The Edge Concept has a new high-tech application of Active Grille Shutters. The shutters automatically open and close to maintain ideal engine operating temperature and maximise aerodynamic efficiency. Unique air curtains on the lower part of the fascia guide air from the front of the vehicle, out through the front wheel wells and down the side of the vehicle.
On the inside, the Ford Edge Concept features a leather-wrapped and hand-stitched instrument panel, 10in centre display featuring Ford SYNC with Voice Control and Touchscreen, and a dynamic centre stack with mechanical switchgear.
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