The 2008 Ford Edge will seats five and will be among a wave of new crossover utility vehicles.
Crossovers, or CUVs, are growing in popularity because they offer the smoother ride and better handling of a car while offering the higher seating position and cargo capacity of an SUV. Crossovers are built on a car-like architecture and, because they are lighter, offer better fuel economy than traditional truck-based SUVs with gas-guzzling V8 engines.
The Edge is built on a platform much like that underneath the Ford Fusion sedan. The Edge will boast a 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 250 horsepower, but Ford says to expect the Edge to average in the mid 20-mpg range in highway driving. Ford also says this new engine meets ULEV (ultra low emissions vehicle) regulations. Power reaches the wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will have a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The Ford Edge features the company's new Modern Styling, also seen in the new Fusion sedan, that embraces a simpler American look best exemplified by the Mustang. This new signature look is a bold departure from the European, Audi-type style seen in the Ford Five Hundred sedan.
