Ford may have seen the light |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
San Francisco, California. It is fitting that Ford introduces their most significant product in a number of years in San Francisco. It seemed to me as though the design and engineering teams from the FoMoCo had be imprisoned in Alcatraz since the late 80s; many of Ford's latest products lacked imaginations and vision. Although many of them are or were great sellers, they only existed to exist. Things have changed dramatically over the last 24 months at Ford, good and bad, and it looks as though the near future will be brighter. If upcoming products continue along the path laid by the
Mustang,
Fusion and Expedition, Ford will bounce back with a vengeance. Expectations are huge and as Ford put it, they fully anticipate the
Edge to reach an iconic level of recognition just as the Mustang, Explorer and F-150 have in their respective segments.
The production of Ford's first ever CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) began
 |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
earlier this week in Oakville and a few days later, I was driving on the California Coast behind the wheel of a pre-production Edge. The hype surrounding this vehicle is tangible; well over a million people have visited the website dedicated to the Edge and Ford personnel clearly admit that this is the most important launch for the 2007 model year. In my opinion, it is their most important so far for the 21st century. The arrival of the Edge is based on a complex array of studies and research largely rooted in demographics. To put in a few words, Baby-boomers are inching away from SUVs and GenXers are looking for an all-purpose vehicle that is not an SUV, a station wagon and especially not a minivan.
Design and engineering |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
It used to be that these two words were not so directly associated in the creation of a new product. As Freeman Thomas Director of Strategic Design put it, a car built in the 50s was all styling and little efficiency. The example he gave us related to a 50s sedan, although 20" in length and 8" in width was physically huge, its interior volume was no greater than an average mid-size sedan sold today. Ford has therefore concentrated heavily on combining these two very important elements to assure that the Edge, and future products, will include the best attributes of both efficiency and styling.
The Edge's cabin is airy and exceptionallycomfortable for four occupants. Theseats are supportive although more time on the road will be required tocorrectly evaluate them. The dash layoutis logical and therefore |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
functional. Fitand finish is good however the plastics could still be a little smoother andsofter. The Edge's cabin is warmer thanthe Fusion's by quite a margin.The packageThe Edge boasts all the necessary ingredients to attain the lofty goal of being great. To begun with, the Edge is very handsome looking: it is not too big or too tall nor does it sport an overly aggressive fascia. The familiar 3-bar grille is well blended with the originally designed headlight and power-dome hood. The windshield's steep rake flows nicely into the roofline which in turn matches well with the high beltline. The active core target market usually appreciates some decorative bits on their vehicle and the Edge obliges with a standard rear spoiler, dual exhaust pipes and available 18" chrome wheels. The Edge is very organic and likeable.
