Ford Edge: Exterior & Interior

[Edge Guide]

EXTERIOR/INTERIOR

 

FORD EDGE: ATHLETIC, MODERN AMERICAN DESIGN DEFINES ENTRY INTO HOT CROSSOVER MARKET

 

* Edge's bold, modern American design blends style, function and flexibility

* Innovative use of advanced materials and attention to detail deliver impressive interior quietness

* EasyFold™ electro-mechanical release – second-row seats fold at the touch of a button, creating nearly 68.7 cubic feet of cargo space

* Class-exclusive Vista Roof™ for open-air motoring

 

The 2007 Ford Edge steps out from the crowd in the hot crossover utility vehicle (CUV) market with its bold, modern and distinctly American design. Innovative features as well as near-luxury levels of quietness and ease of use distinguish Edge from other CUVs.

 

The 2007 Ford Edge defines the crossover utility market with bold, American design and innovation.

 

"A dynamic, modern shape with the right proportions and short overhangs sets Edge apart from other crossovers that mostly look like traditional SUVs," says Peter Horbury, executive director, Design, North America. "Edge has a bold American personality and a strong, athletic presence."

 

A wide, aggressive stance underscores Edge's dynamic character. Edge's raised beltline, strong, sculpted shoulders and large wheel lips emphasize the vehicle's power and performance. Edge is further distinguished by a raked windshield, fast hatch and contoured tumblehome – styling cues typically found on sports cars.

 

Edge wears its family heritage proudly, with a large blue oval badge positioned prominently in the center of the hallmark three-bar chrome grille, inspired by the Ford 427 concept car and first introduced on the 2006 Ford Fusion. "The beautifully sculpted grille picks up some of that urban-tough imagery of the 427 concept adapted to Edge's modern, athletic styling," says Doyle Letson, Edge chief designer.

 

Quad beam halogen headlamps complete the front end's distinctive look. Jewellike headlamps carry the lines of the grille around the side of the vehicle and feature a unique interpretation of the Ford-signature step-up surround. The hint of a powerdome hood underscores that with its 265-hp engine, Edge is ready to run.

 

The large liftgate offers easy access to the cargo area. Taillamps sit high on Edge's rear shoulders for a unique appearance.

 

Contrasting black lower fascias and rocker panels visually connect Edge to the road, highlighting the large wheels and tires and housing the available fog lamps up front and dual exhausts out back.

Vista Roof™ Brings Open Air Driving to a Modern CUV

 

The tilt-and-slide front roof and fixed rear glass panel of the Vista Roof™ provide panoramic views for front and rear passengers.

 

Edge is the first vehicle in its segment to offer an all-glass roof. Inspired by architectural trends toward a greater use of glass in skylights and wall-to-ceiling windows, the Vista Roof™ serves as a large front moonroof and a rear skylight.

 

The large forward 27.3- by 29.4-inch sunroof features power tilt-and-slide functions, while the rear-seat passengers can enjoy a sky view through the large 15.75- by 31.3-inch fixed rear skylight.

 

The one-touch open/close headliner-mounted switch opens the Vista Roof™. A pop-up fabric wind blocker helps in eliminating wind buffeting. Dual power sunshades can be deployed to block out glare.

Flexible Interior Adapts for Easy Loading

 

The Edge interior makes ingenious use of space, delivering maximum flexibility and functionality. The available EasyFold™ electro-mechanical seat release switch drops either back seat at the touch of a button for easy loading of large cargo.

 

Cargo capacity equals that of many current midsize sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The large rear liftgate allows easy access to 68.7 cubic feet of cargo space (with the second row folded) and 32 cubic feet of space behind the second row.

 

"Storage was a very important consideration when designing the Edge interior," says Letson. "Edge customers demand that their vehicle accommodate all of the things they need for their busy lifestyles."

 

The reconfigurable center console can hold objects as large as a laptop and features a concealed power point and MP3-audio input jack.

 

Edge's center console also was designed with flexibility in mind. Moveable inserts can be used to customize the space to store everything from CDs to purses to laptop computers. An optional 12-volt power point is concealed inside the console for powering cell phones and PDAs. An optional audio input, also concealed in the console, connects an external MP3 device to the vehicle's audio system. A small slot designed into the side of the console keeps cords in order. Additional 12-volt power points are located on the IP and on the back of the center console for rear-seat passengers.

 

Bold American Design Carried Through in the Interior

 

Edge's dynamic exterior design is carried into the interior with sharp, graphic lines and fast angles that define Edge's athletic character. The standard two-tone interior adds depth and interest and features an elegant use of materials.

 

Two-tone interior is standard, with Greystone and Ghin Rime accents on the SE and Ghin Rime and Fine Rime accents on the SEL, all with chrome touches on the shifter, door releases and center air vent surrounds.

 

Edge's center stack takes a prominent place in the interior, carrying the powerdome hood design into the vehicle and flowing into a center console that houses the shifter and two of Edge's six cup/bottle holders. The center stack's clean functional design is both intuitive and uncluttered, made possible by the unique vertical vent design. Putting the air vents outside the available navigation system and radio and climate controls allowed designers to focus more attention on the design of those elements.

 

Edge offers comfortable seating for five or can accommodate items up to 8 feet long with the rear seats and front passenger seat folded flat.

The center stack houses an AM/FM, CD/MP3-capable audio system and available DVD-based navigation system that offers up the vast majority of North America on one disc. The navigation system uses text-to-speech technology to read turn-by-turn travel directions, including street names, aloud in English, French and Spanish and features a wide 6.5-inch screen that is sharper and much brighter than competitors' units. An in-dash, six-CD changer and factory-installed SIRIUS satellite radio are also optional. An available MP3 audio input jack in the center console can plug in hundreds of hours of music to accompany you on your trip to the edge of the map.

 

Edge comes standard with a four-way manually adjustable driver's seat. Available leather-trimmed heated front seats feature six-way power adjustment with manual recline and lumbar. The controls for the heated seats are conveniently located on the instrument panel.

 

Second-row Passengers will Appreciate the Extra Legroom

 

Edge's five-passenger seating configuration creates a spacious, comfortable environment for rear-seat passengers without compromising capability and functionality.

 

The 60/40-split second row offers impressive recline comfort up to 15 degrees. The seats also fold forward, creating a level load floor using the same easy-to-use handle.

 

A versatile integrated rear-seat center console also incorporates the center head restraint. The console folds down from the seat back to reveal two cup holders. In addition, it can be dropped down to move the center head restraint out of the driver's rear view.

 

Rear-seat passengers also can enjoy an available multifunctional family DVD entertainment system. The system features a flush-mount, flip-down/flip-up, 8-inch LCD module that allows users to play both DVDs and CDs and is integrated into the vehicle's audio system. An infrared remote control provides easy operation while two sets of wireless headphones offer quiet listening.

 

Edge Delivers Impressive Quiet Comfort

 

An innovative use of materials, technology and hard work has produced a CUV with near-luxury-vehicle interior quietness.

 

The superbly quiet cabin results from attention to detail inside and out. For example, Edge's side mirrors are designed to deflect air without creating wind noise. Engineers and designers fine-tuned prototypes, producing a mirror that is 80 percent quieter than the original design at highway speeds and that generates less wind noise than a vehicle without sideview mirrors. The same attention to detail was given to the mast antenna. The spiral on the antenna was tweaked to the tenth of a millimeter, reducing noise by an additional three decibels.

 

"We made a concerted effort to fine tune every component of Edge that could contribute to noise to provide the quiet ride of a luxury car," says Paul Larkin, manager of the vehicle team responsible for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

 

A barrier fused inside the Edge's rear wheelhouse helps block midfrequency noise while absorbing high-frequency noise. Specially designed sound-deadening material is sonic-welded behind the headliner and every plastic exterior trim panel to further reduce cabin noise.

 

"The Ford Edge measured less than 24 sones of interior noise at 80 miles per hour during testing," says Larkin. "That's very impressive compared to our competitive benchmarks."

 

Edge Chief Designer Draws on Varied Design Career for Inspiration

 

Baby boomers will no doubt remember "Miami Vice", one of the runaway hits of network television in the 1980s. Who could forget the show's opening: high-powered, synthesized music, flamingos, golden beaches with bikini-clad models, and Tubbs and Crockett in fast cars and even faster Scarab boats. Letson thanks you for remembering.

 

While Letson now spends his days bringing Ford's newest crossover vehicle, the 2007 Ford Edge to market, it was his design skills that made those Don Johnson boats so memorable.

 

"I spent a lot of time in a variety of design jobs in the early part of my career," says Letson. "At Wellcraft Marine, we designed boats for people like Don Johnson, and Hulk Hogan and Chuck Norris as well."

 

Letson credits his diverse design background with the success he has enjoyed on the automotive side. He started as a youngster, spending every waking hour sketching and drawing. His love of art and design led him to Purdue University in Lafayette, Ind.

 

In 1980, with his industrial design degree in hand, Letson began his career at a small company in Indiana creating power tools. "We designed and manufactured products that were sold at major retail stores through Singer and Craftsman brands, among others," Letson says.

 

"After a few years I moved on to a furniture manufacturer, where I learned as much about manufacturing as I did about design," he says. "We used a lot of state-of-the-art manufacturing methods to create products that were pleasing but also functional."

 

Letson's next stop was at the heavy equipment maker Caterpillar where he specialized in ergonomics design for operator comfort. He learned about gathering statistical data and consumer input, lessons that would serve him well in the future.

 

While visiting Florida in the early '90s, Letson spotted a 40-foot Scarab, complete with gorgeous graphics, sitting in front of a boat company. He was smitten. So he and his wife packed everything and moved South.

 

Working with boat makers Donzi and Wellcraft, Letson further honed his skills, leaving a legacy of television fame (of sorts), and more than 50 production boats to his design credit. This includes a 38-foot signature edition Scarab offshore racer with twin $50,000 650-hp Lamborghini engines, built specifically for Johnson.

 

Eventually, the market for expensive boats began to dry up in the wake of a new luxury tax, and Letson found himself looking for another opportunity.

 

Inspired by several trips to the North American International Auto Show, feasting his eyes on the beautiful concepts and production cars, Letson sent a resume and samples to Ford. That was 12 years ago. Since, he's been applying his extensive design experience to programs like Mustang, Fusion and now, Edge.

 

"It all started at Purdue, a solid engineering school," explaines Letson. "As designers we were paired up with engineering students to develop our designs. That's real-world stuff. That's how cars are brought to market. You have to learn to design cars that can be built, but still stay on the leading edge of design."

 

Like those memorable boats in Miami Vice, we expect many of Letson's latest designs to be fondly remembered for years to come.