Feature packed 2015 Ford Edge SUV breaks cover

Ford has taken the wraps off its second generation Edge SUV that shares underpinnings with the Ford Fusion sedan. The new Blue Oval gets EcoBoost power for the first time and two powerful V6 petrol engine options as well. No diesel engine has been announced yet though. 

From the award winning EcoBoost engine family, a 2.0-litre engine is the main unit going to do duty under the hood. It packs in 248PS of power and 366Nm of torque. To make it efficient, Ford is offering start-stop technology. The first V6 is a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated unit. Ford hasn’t revealed official figures yet but expect it to be around the 300PS mark. The top of the range engine will be a 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged V6 developing upwards of 300PS. 

Only one gearbox will be on offer – a 6-speed automatic but with paddle shifters. While the EcoBoost Edge will be front wheel drive, the Edge with V6 units will come only in all wheel drive. With all that power on tap, you’d expect the Ford to be a quick SUV in a straight line but Ford says that they have worked on the chassis stiffness to reduce bending forces by as much as 26 percent over its predecessor 16 percent stiffer to twisting forces.

The Edge uses clever aerodynamics to make the SUV more fuel efficient. One is active grille shutters and other is air curtains similar to the ones BMW uses. The active grille shutters promises to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag while the air curtains help channel air efficiently around the wheels reducing turbulent air around this area. 

On the features front, the Ford Edge gets a 360 degree camera with a display on the large touch screen on the centre console, Ford Sync, Blind Spot Information System, heated and air conditioned front seats, cruise control, park assist, Curve control that’s part of the stability program, inflatable seatbelts for rear passengers and glovebox knee airbag. Ford says the Edge will be manufactured in Canada for the North American market and exported to South America, Europe and Asia.