Details have been announced for the European specification of the Ford Edge SUV, which is widely expected to go on sale in Britain during the second half of this year. The Edge will sit above the Kuga in Ford’s SUV line-up.
The Ford Edge is already on sale in the US market, but it was announced a couple of years ago that the SUV would make its way over to European showrooms, after some modifications. The decision to bring the Edge to Britain and other countries in Europe is a consequence of Ford’s current product strategy - simply known as ‘One Ford’. This means that new models from Ford are ultimately aimed to appeal to worldwide customers, rather than just specific regions.
The ‘One Ford’ policy has already had a major effect on the manufacturer’s product range in Britain. It has brought about the arrival of the EcoSport crossover, which was originally targeted for South America. The strategy has also led Ford to make its new Mustang sports car available for sale in Britain, the first time this has happened in over 50 years.
Now the Ford Edge is next in line to benefit from Ford’s product strategy, and details on what British and other European buyers can expect were revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. It uses the same platform as the new Mondeo and looks set to serve as a cheaper alternative to stylish SUVs like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
The SUV will boast various high-tech driving features such as Ford Adaptive Steering, which adjusts the steering response based on the current speed. It’ll also have a Front Split View Camera to give drivers a clearer view when negotiating difficult junctions or parking spaces.
The European-spec Ford Edge will also have a range-topping trim called Sport, featuring altered styling touches such as 20-inch alloy wheels and a gloss black finish for the front grille and window pillars.
Just one engine from launch is expected to be available for the UK version of the Edge – a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel, offering 188bhp or 207bhp. Pricing for the Ford Edge in Britain is currently unconfirmed, but numerous online reports indicate it will start from just below £30,000.
