What's the news?
Ford is updating its big Edge SUV, and it's now going to be available in sporty-looking ST-Line specification.
It will also be a lot safer, thanks to a major update to the car's anti-collision systems, which will now include post-collision braking (which stops the car rolling on after a heavy accident), evasive steering assist (which can swerve you away from a head-on collision), and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistant and traffic stop-start. That's on top of adaptive front lighting, blind spot monitor, intelligent speed limiter, lane keeping, pre-collision alert, pedestrian detection, and traffic sign recognition. Oh, and a fully active parking system.
On the engine front, there's a new twin-turbo 2.0-litre TDCI diesel engine, which now develops 238hp (the previous most powerful Edge used a 210hp version). Combined as standard with four-wheel drive, Ford is keen to stress that the new engine meets the most stringent Euro6 emissions regulations.
This new EcoBlue engine will also be offered in 190hp form with a six-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive, and a 150hp version with a new eifght-speed automatic and front-wheel drive.
The new gearbox uses new tech, including a system which detects hills and gradients, or hard cornering, and which learns driving styles, as well as a system that adjusts the clutch pressure to achieve the smoothes gearchange possible. Oh, and it gets a Jaguar-esque rotary controller instead of a gearstick.
As with the rest of the Ford range, the Edge will now come in ST-Line spec, which includes 20-inch alloy wheels, black-finish for the grille, a chunky bodykit, chrome exhaust tips, half-leather 10-way power seats, and aluminium pedals. It will also get sports suspension and retuned steering.
On the tech front, there's an updated touchscreen (eight inches now) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a new all-digital instrument pack, and an optional Band & Olufsen stereo.
"Helping customers effortlessly deal with stop-start traffic using our most advanced driver assistance technologies to-date, and cruise in comfort supported by our refined and fuel-efficient new 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox, the new Ford Edge is our most compelling offering yet for the ever-growing numbers of European customers migrating towards SUVs," said Roelant de Waard, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.