New Blue-Oval Crossover Strives for Competitive "Edge" Over Rivals
Ford Motor Company, hoping to increase its crossover sales leadership by adding its new midsize Edge to a family which now
includes Escape and Freestyle in the compact and full-size segments respectively, plans on making the decision to choose one of its blue-oval products much easier.
Tapping into a family demographic that ranks safety higher on its collective priority list than any other attribute, Ford plans to launch its new Edge with a bevy of safety features as standard equipment. The Canadian-built crossover, together with its Lincoln MKX platform-mate, will come out of the box with Ford's impressive AdvanceTrac engine- and ABS-managed traction control system, as well as Roll Stability Control, an advanced yaw control system that reduces the chance that the vehicle will be forced into an uncontrolled spin.
Ford was the first automaker to announce that its anti-roll electronic stability control system would become
standard across its entire lineup of crossovers and SUVs with each all-new vehicle or upgraded replacement model. Therefore, expect the same treatment with the upcoming Escape, expected as a 2008 model, and other future vehicles. The Freestyle already gets the same set of standard anti-roll safety features as the Edge, components already offered on the new 2006 Explorer, plus will come standard with the completely revised 2007 Explorer Sport Trac and all-new 2007 Expedition.
Also standard on the Edge, Ford will add seat-mounted side thorax air-bags and its Safety Canopy air curtain system with rollover detection, for an extra measure of protection. These last features follow up a trend in new Ford vehicles, at least among more expensive midsize models, started when the automaker announced that each new 2007 Fusion will come equipped with side thorax airbags and side curtain airbags as standard equipment, beginning this summer.
"These changes are sure signs that Ford is on offense and fighting back," commented
Cisco Codina, Group Vice President, North America Marketing, Sales and Service.
The new Edge will also arrive with Ford's Personal Safety System standard, which incorporates dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags, a driver seat position sensor, passenger seat occupant classification sensor, and load-limiting safety belts with retractors and pretensioners. Additionally, the new crossover adds an energy-absorbing steering wheel and knee bolster for the driver, plus an energy-absorbing glove box for the passenger.
As important for maintaining a safe driving environment, however, is an agile suspension, critical for avoiding potential accidents in the first place. The Edge, based on the competent Fusion, should be up to the task.
"Edge's confident handling helps drivers avoid accidents, especially when paired with the industry-exclusive AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC)," stated Stephen Kozak, Ford Safety chief engineer.
Ford Motor Company, hoping to increase its crossover sales leadership by adding its new midsize Edge to a family which now
 |
| Ford wants to make no mistakes when launching its new Edge crossover later this year, and plans to include a full load of safety features standard. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Tapping into a family demographic that ranks safety higher on its collective priority list than any other attribute, Ford plans to launch its new Edge with a bevy of safety features as standard equipment. The Canadian-built crossover, together with its Lincoln MKX platform-mate, will come out of the box with Ford's impressive AdvanceTrac engine- and ABS-managed traction control system, as well as Roll Stability Control, an advanced yaw control system that reduces the chance that the vehicle will be forced into an uncontrolled spin.
Ford was the first automaker to announce that its anti-roll electronic stability control system would become
 |
| Its Fusion-derived architecture and numerous standard active safety features should make for a stable high-speed commuter. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Also standard on the Edge, Ford will add seat-mounted side thorax air-bags and its Safety Canopy air curtain system with rollover detection, for an extra measure of protection. These last features follow up a trend in new Ford vehicles, at least among more expensive midsize models, started when the automaker announced that each new 2007 Fusion will come equipped with side thorax airbags and side curtain airbags as standard equipment, beginning this summer.
"These changes are sure signs that Ford is on offense and fighting back," commented
 |
| A full set of standard airbags - front, side and side-curtain - plus front driver and passenger seat positioning sensors, seatbelt pretensioners and more, give the Edge and edge. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
The new Edge will also arrive with Ford's Personal Safety System standard, which incorporates dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags, a driver seat position sensor, passenger seat occupant classification sensor, and load-limiting safety belts with retractors and pretensioners. Additionally, the new crossover adds an energy-absorbing steering wheel and knee bolster for the driver, plus an energy-absorbing glove box for the passenger.
As important for maintaining a safe driving environment, however, is an agile suspension, critical for avoiding potential accidents in the first place. The Edge, based on the competent Fusion, should be up to the task.
"Edge's confident handling helps drivers avoid accidents, especially when paired with the industry-exclusive AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC)," stated Stephen Kozak, Ford Safety chief engineer.