 | | Ford recently released this sketch of the Edge, to debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. |
(Dearborn, Michigan) - Ford and Lincoln nameplates will be on two new crossover vehicles in 2006. The Lincoln Aviator will be reborn from a traditional sport utility vehicle into a redesigned crossover. Recently, Ford unveiled the first look at the Ford version to be called the Edge. The Ford Edge crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is expected to be one of the stars of the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. Edge's bold, American design will turn heads in the CUV market - the fastest-growing vehicle segment - in a year that CUV sales are expected to surpass traditional SUVs. "Much like Fusion has done for the mid-size sedan, the new Ford Edge will inject a healthy dose of American design and personality into the hot crossover market," says Peter Horbury, Ford's executive director of North America Design. Crossovers combine the functionality of traditional sports utility vehicles with a car-based architecture. Edge is powered by Ford's new 3.5-liter V-6 engine and new 6-speed automatic transmission - which help deliver a dynamic driving character and impressive fuel economy. Edge goes on sale in fourth quarter 2006. In current trends hold, consumer interest in the Edge should be high. Currently, the number of crossover vehicle sales is nearing the number of traditional SUV sales. The Edge joins such current Ford CUVs as the Freestyle. Also in 2006, the all-new Lincoln Aviator will join Ford's stable of CUVs as a 2007 model. When the Edge and Aviator vehicles hit the market next year, they will be equipped with Ford Motor Company's newest 6-speed, front-wheel-drive automatic transaxle - the 6F. Jointly developed with General Motors and built at Ford's Van Dyke Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., the 6F will represent Ford's fourth 6-speed automatic transmission application, which the automaker says further establishes it as a leader in fuel-efficient, advanced automatic transmissions. 6-speed automatics, such as the 6F, deliver up to four percent improvements in fuel economy compared to traditional four-speed automatics while delivering improved performance. The 6F was designed to cover a wide range of variants. It can handle up to 300 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque, making it compatible with many different engines. The Edge will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show, which is open to the public from January 14 - 22, 2006. | 
