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NEWS
PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Diesel Edge measures up
Ford's five-seater is available with diesel power now, but will it replace five-seat Territory?Ford has unveiled the Euro-spec Edge at the Paris motor show, and the newly-announced 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi under the bonnet has what it takes to gazump the 2.7-litre diesel V6 in the current Territory.
Since Ford officially announced it would increase its product portfolio by 30 per cent last year, there has been a lot of speculation concerning the models that would replaced the locally-built Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory after production at Broadmeadows and Geelong grinds to a halt in October 2016.
The Edge, previously a North America-only model, will be a global product available also in right-hand drive. In fact, Ford plans for the Edge to sell in up to 80 countries around the world, presumably including Australia. It will be Ford's premier SUV in Europe. Ford has already launched the new generation five-seat cross-over in North America, and the Paris debut for the diesel-powered model for Europe further raises the chances of the Edge coming to Australia.
With 154kW and 450Nm, the four-cylinder diesel in the Edge shows the Territory's V6 (140kW/440Nm) a clean pair of heels in the performance stakes. On the strength of its performance alone, the diesel Edge could succeed the Territory in five-seat form from 2017. And Ford has 3.5-litre and 3.7-litre petrol V6 options in the wings also.
Mostly, the Edge is at least competitive with the Territory for packaging also. It's longer in the wheelbase by 7mm, and is wider (excluding mirrors) by 30mm. Territory is more commodious in the front row seating, but the Edge delivers more rear-seat headroom (17mm) and legroom (16mm). Rear-seat width is a draw, with Territory providing more hiproom (64mm), but the Edge pulling ahead for shoulder room (9mm).
The Territory is longer overall than the Edge – by 105mm – and that translates to an extra 41 litres of luggage space with the second-row seats raised. But the Edge is larger in almost every dimension than the Kuga, and luggage space is 139 litres more.
That suggests there's a slot open for an SUV that would fit between Kuga and Territory – albeit closer in size to the Territory. Ford could end up with EcoSport, Kuga, Edge (for five-seat buyers), Everest – for off-road families up to seven – and possibly Explorer, for those wanting a large, luxurious seven-seat soft-roader. That would make for a large SUV range in Ford's local product portfolio... even bigger than Toyota's.
The Edge will go on sale in Europe next year, also offering a lower output version of the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, developing 132kW and 400Nm. This engine is unlikely to make it to Australia.
The Edge will be available with Adaptive Steering which adjusts the steering ratio on the fly commensurate with road speed. Active Noise Cancellation is another feature on the equipment list, employing three microphones in the cabin and a counteracting sound wave through the audio system speakers to kill unwanted noise.
Edge will also offer hands-free tailgate, SYNC2, adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation/Forward Alert, Park Assist/Cross Traffic Alert, rear seatbelt airbags, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and Lane Keeping Aid. Some of these – and other features such as heated steering wheel and heated/cooled front seats – will likely be offered as options, if the Edge comes to Australia.
The tale of the tape:
Ford |
Escape (Kuga) |
Edge |
Territory |
| Length (mm) | 4524 | 4778 | 4883 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2690 | 2850 | 2843 |
| Width (mm) | 1839 | 1928 | 1898 |
| Height (mm) | 1684 | 1742 | 1716 |
| Front headroom (mm) | 1022 | 1013 | 1074 |
| Front legroom (mm) | 1095 | 1082 | 1122 |
| Front shoulder room (mm) | 1422 | 1532 | 1548 |
| Front hip room (mm) | 1420 | 1392 | 1525 |
| Rear headroom (mm) | 991 | 1024 | 1006 |
| Rear legroom (mm) | 935 | 1031 | 1015 |
| Rear shoulder room (mm) | 1405 | 1537 | 1528 |
| Rear hip room (mm) | 1331 | 1461 | 1524 |
| Boot space (rear seat raised, litres) | 973 | 1112 | 1153 |
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Written byMarton Pettendy
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