Ford Edge closer

Ford has announced full details of the all-new Edge it will launch in the UK in July, providing vital new clues to the large SUV that will replace Ford Australia's homegrown Territory after local production ends in October.

The Blue Oval is yet to confirm the new Edge for Australia, but has promised to reveal its strategy for the popular large crossover segment -- between the mid-size Kuga and hard-core Everest -- by mid-year, or the end of next month.

However, motoring.com.au sources say there will be a seamless transition from Territory to Edge in local Ford showrooms by the end of this year, and that the Territory nameplate will likely continue – not just because of its brand recognition but because Toyota owns the Edge name in Australia.

Ford of UK's product announcement fills in many specification gaps too, following the start of right-hand drive production in Toronto, Canada and confirmation for the British market of three model grades, all powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine driving all four wheels.

Indeed, the only piece still missing from Ford Australia's Edge puzzle appears to be a seven-seat version, which is currently built and sold only in China and not (yet) available from Toronto, the exclusive source of all RHD Edge vehicles.

So, if Ford Australia is to continue to deliver a seven-seat crossover wagon in a lucrative market dominated by the Toyota Kluger, Holden Captiva 7 and its own Territory, it needs to secure either seven-seat production in Canada or RHD production in China, which is less likely.

For now, the UK market has announced an Edge line-up with only five seats, diesel power and all-wheel drive, ahead of its media launch in Scotland over July 19-22.

Ford has confirmed a flagship Vignale version of the Edge, which is based on the same platform as the Mondeo and more than 100mm shorter than the Territory overall, will join the UK Edge range in the fourth quarter of this year.

In Great Britain, Ford says the Edge will be positioned to compete with luxury mid-size SUVs including the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Disco Sport and Volvo XC60, with a starting price of £29,995.

That's the same as Ford GB charges for the entry-level Mustang EcoBoost, which costs $45,950 in Australia, where the market-leading (V6 petrol-only) Kluger opens at $42,190 and the Territory is priced from $36,490 for the 2WD petrol), rising to $41,740 (2WD diesel) and $46,740 (AWD diesel).

Three spec levels are on offer – Zetec, Titanium and Sport – with the Zetec and Titanium limited to a six-speed manual transmission and 180ps (135kW) single-turbo diesel, and the Sport scoring a 210ps (157kW) twin-turbo diesel with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.

In the UK, both 2.0-litre TDCi diesel fours are Euro 6 emissions-compliant, emit 149g/km of CO2 and come with two-year/18,000-mile (29,000km) service intervals.

Petrol versions of the new Edge are produced in Canada for the US market and could also come to Australia, potentially including a 182kW 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder, a 206kW 3.6-litre V6 or even a range-topping 234kW 2.7-litre turbo V6.

All UK Edge models come standard with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, automatic high-beam, auto wipers, traffic sign recognition, reversing camera, SYNC 2 infotainment with 8.0-inch colour touch-screen, keyless starting, digital radio, idle-stop, dual-zone climate-control, foglights, power folding mirrors and folding rear seats.

Instead of 19-inch alloy wheels, however, the UK's mid-range Edge Titanium (£32,245 or $A63,160) offers 20-inch alloys, and also adds a hands-free tailgate, heated sports seats, navigation, ambient lighting, acoustic glass, illuminated scuff plates and front/rear parking sensors.

The Sport flagship (£34,495 or $A67,567) tops the range with sports suspension, adaptive steering, sports pedals, 12-speaker Sony sound, sports body kit, roof rails, black wheels and black exterior highlights.

For an extra £2000 (A$3900), an optional Luxury Pack adds Dinamica leather trim, powered and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a panoramic sunroof to the premium Titanium and Sport models, which together are expected to account for 98 per cent of UK sales.

These features and other optional extras – such as adaptive LED headlights, front wide-view camera, radar cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automated parking, inflatable rear seat belts and a heated steering wheel – are likely to come standard on the Edge Vignale.

Among the host of genuine UK Ford accessories listed for the Edge is a range of roof-mounted ski, kayak and cargo carriers.

Ford of Europe says 60,000 Edge vehicles have been configured on www.ford.co.uk since January, with the flagship Sport model being the most popular at 49 per cent and the base Zetec accounting for only 11 per cent.

It says the average price of Edge models being configured in the UK is more than £35,000 ($A68,556).