Ford debuts new Edge ST ahead of Detroit auto show

jpd80 · 11-01-2018, 06:37 PM

Ford debuts new Edge ST ahead of Detroit auto show

Ian Thibodeau, The Detroit News Published 12:01 a.m. ET Jan. 11, 2018 | Updated 12:13 a.m. ET Jan. 11, 2018
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...dge/109343260/

Ford Motor Co. will introduce an all-new sporty Edge ST to its lineup in 2018.

It’s the company’s first SUV tuned by the Ford Performance team responsible for the GT supercar, zippy Focus RS and powerful F-150 Raptor. It will bring Ford’s SUV lineup up-to-speed with crosstown rivals General Motors Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, which last year unveiled performance trims for full-size SUV models.

The new ST accompanies a refresh for the entire Edge lineup, which Ford calls its “medium-utility” vehicle. The Dearborn-based automaker sold 142,603 Edges last year, making it the third-best selling SUV for the company.

Designers tweaked interior and exterior components on the Edge, giving the vehicle a wider grille and new fascia, but the refresh focuses most on technology.

Following CEO Jim Hackett’s mantra — smart vehicles for a smart world — the 2019 Edge is outfitted with a full suite of driver-assist features. Ford claims it has more features than any vehicle in its class.

The 2019 model comes standard with forward-collision warning, dynamic-brake support, pre-collision assist, pedestrian detection, blind-spot detection, cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping alert and assist, automatic high beams and hill-start assist. The Edge also has available post-collision braking, which Ford said automatically applies moderate brake pressure in the event of a collision to avoid further injury, damage to the vehicle or a second collision.

The vehicle also has available evasive-steering assist to help drivers steer around stopped or slowing vehicles. There’s also available adaptive cruise-control and lane-centering features.

Ford’s also outfitted the updated SUV with a wireless charging pad and an available 12-speaker B&O Play premium audio system. Edge models will come standard with FordPass Connect, a WiFi hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices. Engineers said the service is free for a trial period, after which owners will have to pay for the connection through a provider. Sync comes standard on the vehicles.

But Aquino and others noted that all the technology wouldn’t be worth much if the Edge wasn’t a fun ride.

The ST isn’t meant to be a track vehicle. It’s an every-day driver that adds some pep to a smaller SUV. The goal for Ford was to make an SUV that is “fun to drive,” Aquino said.

The all-new performance SUV has a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine that churns out 335-horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. That engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, standard all-wheel drive with selectable traction control. The ST has an available performance brake package and tuned suspension. Paddle shifters allow drivers to switch into manual mode.

The redesigned Edge comes in SE, SEL and Titanium trims. The standard vehicle comes with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine paired with an 8-speed transmission. All models have a redesigned center console housing the rotary gearshift dial Ford’s rolled out on some of its vehicles.

The redesigned Edge and Edge ST go on sale this summer. The vehicles are made at the Oakville Assembly Plant in Oakville, Ontario.

jpd80 · 11-01-2018, 06:42 PM

With Ford dropping the previous Edge Sport name and adopting the ST nomenclature,
I think that strengthens the chances that it will head to Europe for sure and with Ford
UK the biggest Ford Euro market, the odds shorten for a RHD version.

Colour me optimistic but maybe this is why FOA waited for the upgraded Edge ... err Endura.
The ST would give Ford an interesting Apex model - does any any other brand have anything like this?

Quote:

The ST isn’t meant to be a track vehicle. It’s an every-day driver that adds some pep to a smaller SUV.
The goal for Ford was to make an SUV that is “fun to drive,” Aquino said.

Brazen · 11-01-2018, 06:44 PM

I think they are keeping the Sport but the ST slots above?

Facelift for the normal variants looks fantastic, should do well here. Endura is still the worst name ever, but people probably thought that about Kluger when that came out.

naddis01 · 11-01-2018, 06:57 PM

6t6m · 11-01-2018, 07:00 PM

The ST will not make it to Australia as we are getting a diesel only line up.

Ben73 · 11-01-2018, 07:21 PM

We won't get it. We only get cars we are told we like.

Apparently we have one of the largest range of new cars in Australia. Too bad 95% of them are boring

**DFB FGXR6** · 11-01-2018, 07:26 PM

Why does Ford get it so right with the Ranger and Mustang and utterly fail at everything else.

The ST version would have been a massive point of difference in this market and yet the same old "not available in RHD" excuse applies yet again.

IDIOTS!

**Fordman1** · 11-01-2018, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Why does Ford get it so right with the Ranger and Mustang and utterly fail at everything else.

The ST version would have been a massive point of difference in this market and yet the same old "not available in RHD" excuse applies yet again.

IDIOTS!

I’m tipping we’ll see it with the Bi Turbo Diesel.

Bossxr8 · 12-01-2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6t6m

The ST will not make it to Australia as we are getting a diesel only line up.

In the regular models yes, but they couldn't reveal a turbo petrol model ST in the original announcement.

Well I'm hoping so anyway. Wishful thinking.

Stupid if they don't bring it here with the success of models like the Audi SQ5 etc. Which is now a turbo petrol.

Vesper Martini · 16-01-2018, 01:44 PM

Some of its main competitors are Petrol only Kluger & CX9 which happens to be Turbo.
Toyota & Mazda Australia don't really have a choice though as there are no other engine options.

unless I'm missing something, Ford do have the choice
Baffles me why they don't give customers this choice.

stig_3754 · 16-01-2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

In the regular models yes, but they couldn't reveal a turbo petrol model ST in the original announcement.

Well I'm hoping so anyway. Wishful thinking.

Stupid if they don't bring it here with the success of models like the Audi SQ5 etc. Which is now a turbo petrol.

Agree that it would be stupid if they don't bring this here. Definitely a car that would be on my shortlist when I'm due to hit the the market in over a year from now.