The Ford Edge is a crossover SUV that was launched in mid-2006. It is based on the Ford CD3 platform, which is also used by the Edge’s near-twin Lincoln MKX crossover, two Mazda crossovers, the Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 and also the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and the Lincoln Zephyr / Lincoln MKZ sedans.
This platform was originally launched on the Mazda6 sedan.
As a crossover vehicle, the Edge bridges the gap that exists between the compact Escape SUV and the 7-passenger Taurus X crossover SUV.
The Edge made its public debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January, with production starting in the fall of 2006 as a 2007 model. The Edge (codename U387) will be built at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Complex in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
The Ford Edge is expected to compete with other SUV’s in the mid-compact segment such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V, while it is also expected to compete with the new Dodge Nitro. The Edge is Ford’s third mid-size SUV, slotting below the Taurus crossover and the Explorer SUV in the lineup. A hybrid version is expected for the 2010 model year.
The Edge and MKX will be among the first vehicles to use Ford’s new 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 engine. This new engine produces 265 hp (196 kW) and 250 ft·lbf (339 N·m) and is mated to the new 6F six-speed automatic transmission, which was co-developed with General Motors.
When the Ford Edge was first introduced in 2007 it represented a big step forward design-wise for crossover utility vehicles.
After only three years on the market the current Edge is far from stale, still Ford saw fit to give it a refresh.
Introduced at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, the 2011 Ford Edge builds on the stylistic progress of the original model, while also benefiting from an improved interior along with a number of advanced technological features
