The Blue Oval has released today all the details and a comprehensive image gallery of the new 2011 Ford Edge. The 2011 Ford Edge benefits from a re-designed exterior and interior. The front of the 2011 Ford Edge features a new hood, front fenders, front fascia, grille, headlamps and taillamps. The 2011 Ford Edge sits on new 22-inch wheels and comes with MyFord Touch driver connect technology, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), MyKey and Adaptive Cruise Control.
The interior of the 2011 Ford Edge features new materials, a newly designed dashboard and various chrome accents.
The 2011 Ford Edge price and availability will be announced at a later date. The new version's line-up also includes the 2011 Ford Edge Limited and the 2011 Ford Edge Sport.
Ford Press Release:
The award-winning MyFord Touch driver connect technology is just the start of an entire suite of class-exclusive convenience features and technologies available on the 2011 Ford Edge and not found on crossovers that cost twice the price.
“The 2011 Ford Edge delivers the perfect blend of style, technology and capability our customers
demand,” said Jason Mase, crossover marketing manager. “The Edge has been at the forefront of consumer-focused features and conveniences such as SYNC, which allowed customers to connect their devices in a vehicle like never before. Now MyFord Touch builds on that heritage with new driver connect technology that leads the industry.”
MyFord Touch won both Popular Mechanics’ Editor’s Choice Award and CNET’s “Best of CES” in the car and GPS technology category at the 2010 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show).
MyFord technology comes standard on every 2011 Ford Edge and defines an all-new in-car experience, taking vehicle interior design into the realm of popular personal electronics devices such as laptop computers, mobile phones and MP3 players. The MyFord system uses controls such as:
•Five-way buttons mounted on the steering wheel, naturally placed for a driver’s thumbs to control menu commands and select functions
•An 8-inch LCD screen in the center stack and 4.2-inch screens in the instrument cluster provide
vehicle and infotainment information
•Voice control, including a new “flattened grammar” voice-control system that simplifies common commands and introduces voice control for more features, such as audio tuning and climate control
MyFord Touch, standard on the 2011 Ford Edge Limited and 2011 Ford Edge Sport, includes two 4.2-inch configurable LCD screens in the instrument cluster as well as the 8-inch LCD touch screen in the center stack, five-way controls on the steering wheel – plus a new Media Hub with two USB 2.0 ports, video input jacks and an SD card slot.
Premium Sony sound system and interface
An upgrade to the MyFord Touch system is the Sony Audio System, which adds a Sony-designed electronic center stack panel with a high-gloss black finish and unique treatment of the touch-sensitive controls. The Sony panel is completely flat (except for the center knob), so the touch cells are executed as circular “landing zones” for the finger.
The heart of the Sony Audio System is its extraordinary sound quality. Comprised of 12 high-quality speakers and a Class D all-digital amplifier, the Sony system has the ability to pump out 390 watts of continuous power (RMS). Further, Dolby Pro Logic II technology creates true virtual 5.1 channel surround sound throughout the car for a unique listening experience.
MyFord Touch perfectly complements Ford SYNC, the award-winning voice-activated communications and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft that fully integrates Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players into the vehicle. Standard with SYNC is the Traffic, Directions & Information application, which provides simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather.
Like the song? You can tag it
Also available on the 2011 Ford Edge is the world’s first implementation of iTunes Tagging in a factory-installed HD Radio receiver. With a simple push of the “TAG” button on the MyFord touch screen display, the song information will be stored in the radio’s memory.
Once a song is tagged, customers will dock their iPod to the SYNC system and the “tagged” song information will transfer to that iPod. Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear. Customers can preview, and if desired, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store.
One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is the sound quality of the broadcast. With digital transmission, sound quality is dramatically better – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like today’s FM broadcasts. And unlike analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts aren’t susceptible to interference, fadeout and other issues.
More class-exclusive technology
New to the Ford Edge lineup as standard equipment is the popular MyKey programmable vehicle key. MyKey allows parents or other concerned owners to restrict certain features when in the hands of a MyKey driver. MyKey encourages seat belt usage, provides earlier low-fuel warnings, engages applicable driver-aid systems, and sounds chimes at preset speeds while limiting audio system volume and top vehicle speed.
Other new content on the 2011 Ford Edge are standard Easy Fuel Capless Fuel-Filler System and available Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start, which allows the driver (with key) to automatically unlock car doors when approaching the vehicle, allowing for push-button start.
The innovative Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support leads the long list of available technologies for the 2011 Ford Edge. Adaptive Cruise Control allows the driver to set the vehicle’s speed and maintain it without using the accelerator pedal and warns the driver of a collision risk.
Collision Warning with Brake Support uses radar to detect moving vehicles ahead and warns the driver of danger with an audible alarm and warning light. The system also automatically pre-charges brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system to help drivers stop more quickly.
Other available features and technologies on the 2011 Ford Edge include:
•Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert helps detect vehicles in blind spots during normal driving as well as traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots.
•Ambient lighting allows drivers to choose among seven colors with five intensity settings for interior accent lighting now controlled through the MyFord Touch system’s touch screen.
•Other convenience features include: rear view camera; rain-sensing wipers, which detect moisture on the windshield and activate automatically; remote start; available HID (high-intensity discharge) headlamps; and power liftgate.
“The Edge has stood out from the competition from the very beginning, and the 2011 model will be a standout again, in the way it merges style our customers want with technology our competitors can’t match,” said Mase.
The designers of the 2011 Ford Edge decided to throw customers of this popular midsize crossover a curve. A few curves, actually.
The 2011 Ford Edge abandons straight lines in favor of a more flowing, harmonious design to make an immediate and lasting statement about what this unique vehicle stands for and offers: style and technology in a compelling package.
“Everything about the 2011 Ford Edge is bolder and more flowing,” said Hak Soo Ha, exterior design manager. “All of the new lines are more expressive, which very much defines our Edge customers.”
Increased presence is announced through a bolder grille and a chin spoiler that appears more crafted. The A-pillar flows into the hood, which adds subtle undulations to create a heightened sculptural quality. The flowing, wrapping lines emphasize both the front end and the new wheel lineup, which includes 18- and 20-inch wheels.
“The goal of the newly designed wheels is to make them more organic and less chiseled and straight in appearance,” said Ha. “The new treatment ties very nicely to the look of the front end.”
The new Edge Sport features class-exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels with Tuxedo Black spoke accents, and other unique styling cues, including a Tuxedo Black grille, smoked headlamp and taillamp treatment, body-color rocker moldings, oval chrome exhaust tips, body-color door cladding and revised body-color lower front and rear fascias.
High-tech look from front to back
Craftsmanship and attention to detail is apparent in the treatment of the headlamps and auxiliary lamps. The headlamps are no longer simply encased among the hood, fender and fascia. Instead, the execution allows a more floating, less encapsulated appearance. The LED auxiliary lamps are vertical rather than a rudimentary square or round shape, adding to the technical appearance of the front end.
The harmonious design is carried through to the rear fascia. The taillamps also are executed with style and technology to create a more modern, almost jewel-like appearance. Key to the execution is a secondary inner lens with a unique floating shape combined with unconventional reflective pieces. Larger, 4-inch bright exhaust tips and a two-piece liftgate appliqué round out the new exterior enhancements at the rear.
“Technology is one of the dominant themes of the 2011 Ford Edge, so we wanted to express that throughout the exterior,” said Ha.
The all-new MyFord Touch driver connect technology is the focal point – literally and figuratively – of the new 2011 Ford Edge. This available groundbreaking system allows customers seamless and easy access to media or vehicle information by scrolling through menus with simple touch or voice commands.
The interior of the 2011 Ford Edge is more than just this dynamic technology, however. Upgraded materials, additional accents and fresh execution of colors and forms create an environment that is as comfortable and inviting as it is functional and convenient.
“With the addition of MyFord Touch, we created a high-tech look,” said Jim Smithbauer, interior design manager. “It drove our treatment of the center stack, in particular, but also the rest of the interior as well. The MyFord Touch system’s modern look inspired us to push the interior design even more to reflect and complement this cutting-edge technology.”
MyFord Touch(TM) with Sony(R) Audio System adds a Sony-designed electronic finish panel with a high-gloss black finish and unique treatment of the touch-controlled buttons. Click here to download related images.Upgraded interior showcases new MyFord technology
MyFord Touch, standard on the 2011 Ford Edge Limited and 2011 Ford Edge Sport, includes two 4.2-inch configurable LCD screens in the instrument cluster as well as the 8-inch LCD touch screen in the center stack and five-way controls on the steering wheel – plus a new Media Hub with two USB 2.0 ports, video input jacks and an SD card slot.
Sony HD (high-definition) audio with 12 speakers is standard on the Edge Limited and Sport. The Sony-branded center stack features a gloss-black finish (allowing the controls to “pop” as they light up) and a single center knob with chrome details. Unique to the Sony electronic finish panel is the treatment of the touch-sensitive controls, which are executed as circular “landing zones.” There are no buttons to push. Instead, the touch of a finger – even a thin-gloved one – activates the controls.
Consistent with other Sony products, the audio portion of the control panel is divided into “Source” and “Sound” sections, allowing customers to select the input (AM/FM radio, HD Radio broadcasts, satellite radio, CD, personal devices) and tune the sound with bass, treble, fade and balance inputs on the screen.
MyFord Touch information also is displayed in two full-color 4.2-inch LCD screens (one on the left side and one on the right side) in the instrument cluster. The left side includes traditional vehicle information such as trip odometers, average fuel economy and cruise control settings. The right side allows customers to interface with multimedia technology. Each screen is accessed through respective five-way switches on the steering wheel.
Powerpoints are available inside the console and on the passenger side. The center stack and console are arranged to appear mounted on a pedestal, with storage below.
Complementing the technology upgrades to the 2011 Ford Edge are softer touchpoints, such as a soft, seamless instrument panel and a softer door trim panel. Those details – also apparent on the new Ford Taurus and Mustang – demonstrate Ford’s increased focus on higher levels of craftsmanship and quality.
Additionally, accents such as chrome rings around the shift lever and cup holders, brightwork along the doors and scuff plates as well as available silver accent rails echoed on the door panes help create a warmer, more inviting environment for the 2011 Ford Edge.
Interior inspired by classic works
The dashboard, with its tiered, waterfall-like design inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater house, encapsulates the flowing form throughout the interior. New stitch styles highlight the seats, while the door inserts, armrests and center console feature softer materials and more padding. Those touchpoints also reinforce the better balance between the lighter and darker surfaces found in the 2011 Ford Edge, as light and shadow play off each other to add visual depth.
The new flow-through console integrates seamlessly with the instrument panel and dashboard, eliminating hard cut points. The pass-through below the console is another spot where the available Gen II ambient lighting shines through, along with the front and rear door map pockets, door release handles, front and rear footwells and the front cup holders.
Each trim level – SE, SEL, Limited and Sport – offers subtle differences in the interior. SE has black screen highlights, SEL features stamped pewter and the Limited has Cocobolo wood appliqué. Setting the Edge Sport apart are liquid silver smoke appliqués, which are echoed in the seats, and aluminum pedals. Paddle shifters activate the six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission.
“The interior environment has more texture, both visually and tactilely,” Smithbauer said. “It’s no longer a sea of one color and better embraces the form and function of the 2011 Ford Edge.
It’s more than just well-designed individual components. Edge has a sense of cohesiveness not found in competitors’ models.”
