The all-new Ford Edge SUV has gone on sale here in Ireland with an entry price-tag of €55,700 (ex-works ) for the ’Titanium’ 5 Door, 2.0 Duratorq TDCi (180PS ) AWD and 6 speed manual transmission.
Ford say that it delivers premium levels of comfort, sophisticated driver assistance features, and class-leading driving dynamics. It is to a bad self-review for Ford’s latest offering in Europe’s best-selling vehicle segment.
In Ireland, the Edge is available in two series (both 5-door ) - the ‘Titanium’ and ‘Sport’.
Key features for the Edge Titanium series include: 19” alloys; front and rear parking sensors; handsfree power tailgate and keyfree system; Ford DAB navigation system; active noise cancellation; rear view camera; and illuminated scuff plates.
In addition to above, key features for the Edge Sport series include: 20” alloys; adaptive steering system; SONY DAB navigation system with 12 speakers; unique front, rear and side sports bodystyling with dark exterior detailing; alloy pedals.
Ford tells us that the refined and boldly styled new flagship SUV for Europe offers other optional technologies including: pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, which can apply the brakes to avoid collisions with other vehicles or even pedestrians.
Ford’s adaptive steering, which automatically adjusts the steering ratio according to speed to optimise manoeuvrability and precision is a further boost to Ford’s acclamation as builder of good handling cars.
The blue oval manufacturer also says that the all-new Ford Edge sets new standards in its class for interior space, as well as featuring high quality materials throughout the finely crafted interior. It boasts comfort and convenience features including heated and cooled front seats and a panoramic roof.
“The all new Edge joins our Kuga and EcoSport to complete Ford’s SUV line-up in a segment which even in Ireland is seeing huge growth,” said Ciarán McMahon, chairman and managing director, Ford Ireland. “Offering cutting-edge style with commanding presence and high specification including Ford intelligent all wheel drive, the Edge will tick all the boxes for Ireland’s growing number of SUV owners.”
Ford claims it has developed the Edge to take the stress out of driving in town or country with sophisticated parking technologies that can locate and steer into or out of spaces hands-free. It also offers front wide-view camera technology that can see around corners even when drivers cannot. This reduces stress and potentially helping avert collisions.
The standard Intelligent all wheel drive technology offers optimised traction in slippery conditions. And Ford boasts that powerful and fuel efficient diesel engines that deliver a claimed 5.8 l/100 km (48.7 mpg ), 149 g/km CO2 and up to 210 PS make owning a large, upscale, SUV more affordable.
Ford plans to sell more than 200,000 SUVs in Europe this year. That is a 200 per cent increase compared to 2013. Consumer demand for SUVs is growing; last year the SUV segment became the best-selling segment in Europe for the first time with a 24 per cent increase year-on-year. Registrations of vehicles in the Edge’s mid-size SUV segment grew 42 per cent year-on-year.
