Ford Edge
Ford's new Edge crossover SUV is the only American product to have won a Top Pick rating from the IIHS this year. Boasting a car-like ride, minivan-like room and SUV-like capability, the Edge comes standard with four wheel disc brakes, seventeen or eighteen inch wheels, side airbags, stability control and an innovative Roll Stability Control system. The latter proactively detects situations which might present a higher rollover risk and works the brakes and throttle to prevent a possible accident.
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| 2007 Ford Edge |
Power comes from a new 3.5 litre V6 engine with 265 horsepower, and all wheel drive is available as well, rounding out the Edge as a highly customizable offering for busy families who hold safety and versatility as priorities.
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Safety Features Explained
Side Airbags- protect occupants from collisions from the side of the vehicle.
Curtain Airbags- these airbags are mounted along the outer edge of the vehicle's ceiling to protect occupant's heads in a side-impact situation. On minivans and many new crossovers, curtain airbags provide protection for two or three rows of seating- making every seat a safe one.
Traction Control- Keeps wheel-spin under control on slippery surfaces. When your tires spin excessively, it's harder to control the steering and direction of a vehicle- so traction control can ease off the throttle or even apply the brakes to a spinning wheel to get it back under control.
Stability Control- In addition to keeping an eye on wheelspin while accelerating, stability control systems also help keep vehicles in line when cornering on slippery roads. Should the vehicle begin to skid, the system can apply brakes to individual wheels and cut the throttle to help correct a skid.
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Collision Mitigation Braking System- is a technology currently available in high-end luxury models. A sensor in the grille monitors the closing rate between your car and the one stopped ahead of it. If you don't slow down, the system will alert you in a number of different ways: some tugging on your seatbelt, and others sounding a beeper to get your attention. Finally, at the last possible moment, certain models will even apply the brakes for you to prevent or minimize an impact.
photo:Philippe Champoux