Click on the Edge Sport for a high-res gallery
Ford has been desperately short of hit products in recent years, one of the exceptions being the Edge. With that in mind, Ford is keen on capitalizing on that popularity in much the same way as they have with the Mustang: variants. Ford is adding the Edge Sport to the roster, which incorporates a package of visual enhancements that don't really do too much to improve the sport factor. It does, however, look pretty cool and it gives Dearborn the opportunity to cash in on some of the potential profit margin that presently goes straight to dealers and third-party tuners.
Edge Sport gets the big-wheel look, with painted 20-inchers coming as standard equipment and polished 22" units being an extra-cost option. The obligatory body kit includes sill extensions and lower valences front and rear. The headlights and taillights also get a factory dress-up via smoked gray lenses. Inside, the seat materials are upgraded. One odd note centers around the trim adorning the vents in the instrument panel. The ones in the center stack have chrome trim while those at the outer ends of the dash have a matte grey finish. The bodywork of the Edge Sport will be available in blue, red, silver or black. The look is clean and attractive, and the blue photo car's visual accoutrements remind us of of the Mercury Milan VOGA that was shown in Miami back in '06. That's no bad thing, though we'd love to see this exact car with an EcoBoost V6 underhood, to give that "Sport" moniker some real teeth. The Ford press release is pasted after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
NEW FACTORY CUSTOMIZED 2009 EDGE SPORT DEBUTS
• Chicago Auto Show marks the debut for the 2009 Ford Edge Sport, providing a factory-quality, customized model to America's best-selling crossover.
• The Edge Sport features standard 20- or optional 22-inch wheels, low-profile tires, exterior modifications and interior enhancements, lending it a dynamic look and feel.
• 2009 Ford Edge Sport will be available this fall.
CHICAGO, Feb. 5, 2008 – Ford is providing still more sizzle for America's best-selling mid-size crossover, introducing a new factory-customized model – the 2009 Edge Sport.
"The new Ford Edge Sport is designed to instantly appeal to crossover customers who want a sportier custom look and feel," said John Felice, general manager, Ford Division. "This specialty design reflects the growing popularity of personalization and more customers' interest in industry shows like the annual Hot Import Nights around the country and the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas."
The Sport model – which joins the SE, SEL and Limited models in the range – makes the Ford Edge the first vehicle in its segment to offer a customized model. Its modern, athletic design, flexible package and unique features like VistaRoof™ and SYNC helped sell 130,125 Edge units in 2007, making it the nation's top-selling crossover. The new Edge Sport model will further distinguish it from competitors.
Edge Becomes Even Sportier
Edge Sport stands on even bolder, available 22-inch polished aluminum wheels or the standard 20-inch premium painted wheels with branded center hubs. Low-profile, 40-series Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires complete the look, giving Edge Sport an aggressive stance.
This marks the first time that a 22-inch wheel-and-tire combination has been offered on a crossover. The eight-piece Edge Sport body kit includes a unique front air dam, side skirts, lower door caps and a rear skirt, all finished in body color, instead of the dark lower on other Edge models. The front air dam features integrated fog lamps and a lower grille insert. These elements combine with the unique wheels and tires to provide a sporty personality.
Details, like custom Sport badging, polished dual exhaust tips emerging from openings in the rear skirt and "foundry gray" smoked headlamp and taillamp lenses, add to its purposeful look.
In addition to lustrous Sport Blue paint on the model highlighted at the Chicago Auto Show, Edge Sport will be available in Ebony, Brilliant Silver and Redfire. Inside, dark gray leather seats feature unique suede-feel patterned inserts in a combination of light and dark gray. Contrasting, light gray stitching gives the seats a premium appeal. The contrasting stitched leather also is used on the Edge Sport steering wheel and shift knob.
Edge Sport is further distinguished by an appealing etched metal effect on the instrument panel center console.
"While custom-made to appeal to customers, Edge Sport is smart business," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. "The aftermarket industry has grown to a $40 billion annual business, and crossovers are the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the U.S. We want customers who crave something special to know that Ford can customize their Edge – right at the factory."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
AMcA @ Feb 5th 2008 12:06AM
EXTREMELY SHARP.
They need to do more minor variants that are this good.
Bling Bling Boy @ Feb 5th 2008 12:07AM
This is Blingalicious!!
Me likes it!
fm @ Feb 5th 2008 12:11AM
I've got to say I don't like the Edge (especially the Mach5 grill) but this blue does something for me. Never thought I'd say this but I like it!
Tagg @ Feb 5th 2008 12:14AM
Really nice looking, clean and the wheels look good on a vehicle of this size. I like the painted lower panels but I am curious how they would look on a white car where the mass may seem more evident.
Yet there will be many posts about how it "sucks" and "no wonder Ford is going bankrupt".
Nick @ Feb 5th 2008 12:20AM
Looks pretty sharp. I'm no crazy about the interior, but at least it's better than the Fusion's interior. I think Ford has a lot of mechanically-competent, pleasantly-styled vehicles right now - they just need to work on improving the quality of the interior materials and making it look more polished. IMHO.
Example: I like the Ford Fusion, but I love the Chevy Malibu because it's interior is so much more up-scale.
Justin @ Feb 5th 2008 12:35AM
definitely better than the regular edge, but it still has a truck-like height which kinda goes against the whole "sport" thing.
Wagon please.
Nathan @ Feb 5th 2008 2:28AM
Why would Ford produce a wagon variant? In the United States, wagons have by and large sat on lots while their sedan brethren have sold relatively well. The public wants sedans and crossovers (or traditional SUVs) to haul their stuff.
Personally I would love a RWD / AWD wagon with a small DI V6 or turbo diesel, but I'm afraid that most new car buyers would opt for the sedan version.
Justin @ Feb 5th 2008 11:46AM
People DO buy wagons. They're just jacked up, have huge tires, and are called crossovers.
Bring a real car-like wagon, change nothing, call it a crossover, and the people with the "station wagon" stigma will lap it up.
Jay @ Feb 5th 2008 12:42AM
what? not even a new swaybar like the Fusion? Ah well still looks very nice.
MichaelS @ Feb 5th 2008 1:13AM
Reminds me of the Range Rover Sport... I like it, especially those headlights.
mk @ Feb 5th 2008 1:15AM
BLACK OUT THE GRILLE, or better yet, mesh grille replacement.
lowering springs and anti-roll bars.
THEN, I like it, For a Front-driven, automatic people mover that can't carry all THAT many people...
It does cut a sharp lookin' line.
WowNasty @ Feb 5th 2008 1:22AM
Can we say: Murano Killer.
Ford just sold another 25,000 Ford EDGE's, These thing's sell on features and looks alone.
I'm loving my SEL Plus personally, I might just have to upgrade for this, It would look hot next to my CX-7.
WowNasty @ Feb 5th 2008 1:43AM
It just looks so much better, lightly smoking the headlamps does wonders for an already good looking great selling FORD.
Tragedy @ Feb 5th 2008 1:35AM
Oh god, trying to cash in the trendy bling fad. Honda, Toyota, VW, etc don't need to resort to gimmicks like this.
Hey Ford, instead of having 20 different variants of the same car...spend that money investing in technology and engineering of a car that could potentially be a big hit. I feel for you though, that blue oval is a pretty big handicap. Solution? Bring the European Fords here.
WowNasty @ Feb 5th 2008 1:44AM
lol, why would Ford need to stop, GM's worse with the variant's, do they really need the Acadia, Outlook, and Enclave? A GMC VUE? Why not just offer them all under the same name, like the Ford EDGE sport and not the Mazda CX-8(sport version of the EDGE).
P.S., the Ford EDGE is selling excellently, it's a big hit.
Nathan @ Feb 5th 2008 2:34AM
You are SO right! Toyota and Honda have never offered any alloy wheels on any models ever!
And how are chrome or decorative accouterments new or a fad? Just because the call it bling nowadays doesn't mean it hasn't existed before.
Jay @ Feb 5th 2008 2:03AM
How is it a gimmick, its a trim level, everyone does them. All Ford is doing is circumventing the dealer accessories and AEMs. If you think Honda VW and Toyota don't do that, then you just plain aren't paying attention.
Xcountryflyer @ Feb 5th 2008 2:13AM
Needs a nicer interior a la the Mazda sister on the same platform.
Talisman @ Feb 5th 2008 2:20AM
lol, Toyota, Honda, and VW all offer factory aftermarket-esque sport appearance packages for many of their cars. What are you talking about?
Ian @ Feb 5th 2008 2:52AM
Some brakes that don't suck and a motor that doesn't sound like a bucket of loose bolts when you floor it would be nice too.