Ford Edge confirmation by mid-year

With the Mustang launch out of the way stand by for the confirmation of the next 'One Ford' global model to hit Australia, the Edge medium-sized SUV.

You can expect at least preliminary details to be announced in the first half of the year, in advance of an on-sale date toward the end of 2017 as stock of the locally-built Territory starts to dry up.

Timing of an SUV announcement was confirmed to motoring.com.au by Ford Australia president Graeme Whickman at this week's Mustang launch.

While Whickman wouldn't admit Edge would be announced, other sources familiar with the situation told motoring.com.au the much speculated upon Edge was on the way.

"Yes, our SUV plans will become clearer through the course of the year and we will put what we have got to offer on the table," Whickman said.

"First we have to talk to our dealers about it and then we will be talking to the press about it, but in due course.

"It won't be that far away."

Both Territory and Falcon production ceases on October 7 when Ford closes its Australian assembly line at Broadmeadows and engine plant in Geelong and becomes a full-line importer.

A key part of the Edge announcement will be whether it retains its international name or continues with Territory, a local badge that has gained enormous market cut-through and recognition.

motoring.com.au sources insist that the Territory name will be retained.

While Whickman would not give much away on that front he did expand on the debate the company has had internally about its new SUV.

"We are looking at a number of things," he said. "Territory has a long history in terms of its name. So that's an important factor.

"At the same time we are a global company. We didn't bring the Mustang in as an example and call it the XR8 Fastback, or something like that.

"So there are a number of factors in there, but at the end of the day we are a global company and we are not going to divert away from One Ford.

"But there are some considerations we are rolling through at the moment."

The Edge, which is built in Canada as a five-seater and China as a seven-seater, will slot into the Ford SUV line-up between the smaller Kuga and the larger and locally-developed Everest.

motoring.com.au recently spotted a Chinese-built seven-seat version of the Edge near Ford's Campbellfield R&D headquarters, with the ramifications explored here.

Previously a left-hand drive only North American model, the new generation Edge is part of the One Ford model development plan that makes right-hand drive integral, as exemplified by the latest Mustang.

Drivetrain choices range across four-cylinder turbo-petrol and diesel, turbo-petrol V6 and naturally-aspirated V6. A choice of front- and all-wheel drive is available, as well as six-speed auto and manual transmissions.