Edging ahead

THE 2011 Ford Edge has been turning heads in motoring shows in recent weeks and the car giant is confident its bold appearance will draw further crowds of admirers to its showrooms too.

Style and technology - the hallmarks of the midsize crossover - come together in an all-new way, offering customers even more of what they love in the latest BD14,500 model.

"The new Edge boldly states a new era in the crossover utility segment," said Hussein Murad, Ford Middle East's regional director for sales. "Its new power-trains provide customers more choice than ever, its exterior embraces Ford's DNA, with a signature grille, body-side bright-work, new tail lamp treatment and new exhaust tips - all combining to enhance the presence of the 2011 Ford Edge.

"Moreover, the industry-exclusive 'MyFord Touch' technology brings a whole new approach to how drivers interact with their media and phone devices as well as vehicle technology, and complements Edge's new interior.

"We can see that customers in the region will fall in love all over again with the Ford Edge."

Both the Edge 3.5-litre V-6 and Edge Sport 3.7-litre V-6 use advanced engine valve train technology (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, or Ti-VCT) and clever control strategies to increase horsepower and torque to best-in-class levels. Ford says this beats competitors such as the BMW X5, Lexus RX350 and Audi Q5, all while delivering unsurpassed fuel economy of 27 mpg (3.5-litre V-6 highway).

The 3.5-litre V-6 produces 285 net horsepower and 253 ft-lb of torque while the 3.7-litre V-6 delivers 305 net horsepower and 280 ft-lb of torque - all on regular fuel. Edge's unsurpassed fuel economy is not at the expense of power and performance. For example, the 3.5-litre V-6 with Ti-VCT technology delivers highway fuel economy that is 15 per cent better than the Nissan Murano but produces 20 horsepower more.

Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The SelectShift Automatic transmission is standard on the 2011 Edge SEL and Limited series, with class-exclusive paddle activation of the SelectShift standard on the 2011 Edge Sport.

In all, the Edge will go from one engine and one transmission to two powertrains - all delivering what's expected to be class-leading or unsurpassed fuel economy and class-leading power and torque for a real win-win for the customer.

"Customers told us how much they like Edge's design and dynamic driving quality," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "We listened and made sure the 2011 Edge delivers that and more - including fuel economy leadership, unexpected levels of quietness, a strong new design with quality materials, and MyFord Touch driver connect technology that will change how people experience their vehicles."

Customers made the Ford Edge the No. 1-selling vehicle in its segment in its first full year on the market, and more than 400,000 have been sold since its launch in late 2006. The 2011 Ford Edge now aims to 'redefine the segment' with its wide-ranging scope of improvements.

"The new Edge demonstrates how a refresh at Ford has become more than just a few design and interior tweaks," explains Elaine Bannon, chief engineer. "We have taken every element of the Edge and completely reworked it, including two new powertrains, two new transmissions, a bold new exterior design and a completely new interior. If you add in our industry-exclusive MyFord Touch system, you have a vehicle that will continue to stand out above all the competition on the road."

Ford says it provides a smarter, safer, simpler way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives. It replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, crisp LCD screens and five-way controls like those found on cell phones and MP3 players.

Standard on the 2011 Edge Limited and 2011 Edge Sport, the MyFord Touch system displays information using two 4.2-inch full-colour LCD screens flanking an analog speedometer and an 8-inch touch-screen LCD at the top of the centre stack.

A five-way switch on each side of the steering wheel crossbar controls the information displayed on the corresponding instrument panel screens. The screens can be personalised to display information relevant to each individual driver using a simple button click, voice command or touch-screen tap.

The steering wheel has all the necessary functions available in a very compact area, right where the driver's hand falls as he or she grabs the wheel. The five-way buttons feel familiar to anyone who has used a mobile phone or MP3 player.

For further information, contact Almoayyed Motors, Sitra, on 17737373 or e-mail: ford@almoayyed.com.bh