What would an actual Hot Wheels toy look like? Styling would no doubt be futuristic, with the body painted in a bright, warm color. Of course, more importantly, oversized tires would wrap gigantic chrome wheels designed to turn every head.
Oddly enough, that description seems to fit the 2009 Ford Edge Sport I recently took for a spin. Could it be the ultimate Hot Wheels for grown-ups? Let's see.
If you're a baby-boomer like me, I'm pretty sure you vividly recall the miniature cars that entertained generations of little boys. First, there were some surprisingly-realistic British toys (Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox). Then, in 1968, Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler created the New Toy Order by introducing the famous Hot Wheels. With their flashy, California-style colors and shapes, these small-scale automobiles looked like the product of a drug-addicted inventor. Soon, their bold, unorthodox design cast a permanent shadow over British competitors.
Dreams -- not reality -- are what sells
Clearly, the Hot Wheels craze captured the imagination of young kids who, now that they've grown up, are looking for it in their daily lives. That's why automakers have spawned unique models like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chevrolet SSR, Nissan Murano and Infiniti FX, just to name a few.
The Ford Edge Sport brings that concept a little further. While it's no longer brand-new (introduced for 2007), the Edge is the first crossover to deliver stock tuning to the masses. The enormous, 22-inch polished aluminum wheels are a perfect illustration.
Up until now, no automaker had dared to make such massive alloys standard on a mainstream product. Granted, not so long ago, the Edge Sport came with "modest" 20s. However, the bigwigs at Ford saw fit to respond big time when Toyota launched the Venza, a direct rival that also rides on 20-inch wheels.
Recipe for "Sport"
The 2009 Ford Edge Sport brings definite flair to the blue-oval family. It targets extroverted drivers, that's for sure. You can't go unnoticed with a vehicle like the one I sampled. The bold color, sparkling rims and commanding stance all scream: "Look at me!"
Oddly enough, that description seems to fit the 2009 Ford Edge Sport I recently took for a spin. Could it be the ultimate Hot Wheels for grown-ups? Let's see.
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| The 2009 Ford Edge Sport is the perfect SUV for rational tuners! |
If you're a baby-boomer like me, I'm pretty sure you vividly recall the miniature cars that entertained generations of little boys. First, there were some surprisingly-realistic British toys (Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox). Then, in 1968, Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler created the New Toy Order by introducing the famous Hot Wheels. With their flashy, California-style colors and shapes, these small-scale automobiles looked like the product of a drug-addicted inventor. Soon, their bold, unorthodox design cast a permanent shadow over British competitors.
Dreams -- not reality -- are what sells
Clearly, the Hot Wheels craze captured the imagination of young kids who, now that they've grown up, are looking for it in their daily lives. That's why automakers have spawned unique models like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chevrolet SSR, Nissan Murano and Infiniti FX, just to name a few.
The Ford Edge Sport brings that concept a little further. While it's no longer brand-new (introduced for 2007), the Edge is the first crossover to deliver stock tuning to the masses. The enormous, 22-inch polished aluminum wheels are a perfect illustration.
Up until now, no automaker had dared to make such massive alloys standard on a mainstream product. Granted, not so long ago, the Edge Sport came with "modest" 20s. However, the bigwigs at Ford saw fit to respond big time when Toyota launched the Venza, a direct rival that also rides on 20-inch wheels.
Recipe for "Sport"
The 2009 Ford Edge Sport brings definite flair to the blue-oval family. It targets extroverted drivers, that's for sure. You can't go unnoticed with a vehicle like the one I sampled. The bold color, sparkling rims and commanding stance all scream: "Look at me!"
 |
| You can’t go unnoticed with these 22-inch alloy wheels and ultra-low-profile Pirelli Scorpion Zeros! |