Chicago 2008: Ford Edge Sport saunters into Chi-town
by Dan Roth on Feb 6th 2008 at 3:38PM 
click above for more high-res live shots of the Ford Edge Sport
What is in a name? Would it be too linear a thought process to expect that a vehicle with a "sport" designation would be, you know, sporty? Ford officially rolled out the Edge Sport at the Chicago Auto Show, and while the moniker might be dubious, it is at least a nicely done factory tuner. The idea behind the Edge Sport is to create a tuner package with factory-backed quality levels. Check out the live shots and you'll see that the already well-trimmed interior gets an extra level of attention, and the bodykit applied to the outside is tasteful. New paint colors are Sport-exclusive, as are smoked lenses on the lights. The biggest feature that Ford is touting are the monstrous wheels wrapped in low-profile rubber. The standard 20-inchers are enough to give the brake rotors an inferiority complex as they appear hardly larger than the wheel hubs. If you need an even harsher ride and more clearance around those anti-massive brakes, you can upgrade to 22s. Wheel size to brake rotor diameter shenanigans aside, we like the Edge Sport. We'd find it sporty if it came with the EcoBoost powertrain, but as it stands, it's more like the Edge Spiffy.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Polly Prissy Pants 3:50PM (2/06/2008)
Can we get one without that 3 bar chrome grill please? No matter what you call it, that would end up an improvement.
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geo.stewart 3:54PM (2/06/2008)
I'll stick with the Lambdas thank you very much.
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Red Star 4:07PM (2/06/2008)
Nice.
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jgp 5:02PM (2/06/2008)
Well, the Mazda CX-9 is an Edge without the three-bar grill...
And it also throws in a third row and a bigger engine!
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WowNasty 6:16PM (2/06/2008)
Don't forget, Mazda driving dynamic's, and a better transmission.
jgp 5:03PM (2/06/2008)
Argh...the above was supposed to be a reply to Polly Prissy Pants.
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KT 6:02PM (2/06/2008)
And you know it's a harsh ride because you drove it? Or are you making an assumption?
They should have at least upgraded the brakes a little bit. I mean come on, I'm sure you could've put some 13-14" rotors on there from the parts bin.
I hope they stuff an ecoboost and a manu-matic in it for the 2010 MY.
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Nathan 6:07PM (2/06/2008)
Bigger wheels with the same clearance means that the tires are getting lower and lower in profile, which means that they ride worse.
Lowpros can adn usually do rattle your fillings out.
Dan Roth 8:00PM (2/06/2008)
Well of course I'm talking out my ass. In general, though, big rims plus low aspect ratio rubber = clompy ride. The wheels are heavy, the tires don't have the benefit of some cushion from a more flexible sidewall, and the weight of the tire and rim package negates whatever increased sharpness you get from eliminating flex.
The Edge Sport is nicely done, and big rims are a style for the moment, so I can't blame Ford for going with it - follow the money, and all. The only practical reason for such huge rims is in racing, where you're trying to pack as much rotor diameter inside a specified diameter tire. On the road, it has me cringing when I see pavement irregularities.
chrisdavis 6:13PM (2/06/2008)
Tires are only a small part of the suspension. With properly specified shocks and springs, the decreased sidewall deflection of lower profile tires and greater unsprung mass of the wheels can be compensated for. As it is a factory option, that's probably been accounted for. Nice looking CUV. Good job Ford.
Playdrv4me 6:11PM (2/06/2008)
It's like Ford's version of the BMW X5 4.6iS except... without the power or... appeal.
CX9 ftw.
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chrisdavis 6:16PM (2/06/2008)
or...debt.
MikeW 10:18PM (2/06/2008)
This is Ford you know, 'you can run less 30psi on the rear of the explorer, no problem'
The 17" wheels look too small on the edge
http://media.ford.com/press_files/image_files/08ph_edge.jpg
The 20" wheels look too large on the MKX
http://media.ford.com/press_files/image_files/08ph_mkx.jpg
So why can't Ford just put 245/60 18 on the Edge & 245/55 19 on MKX and be done with it.
Ford can purchase higher quality bushing ($) for the Lincoln. That can accommodate the 1/2" loss of sidewall.
So if you take your 30lb 19" wheel and replace it with a 45lb 22" wheel, that is your business.