How innovative does Ford Motor Co. believe its 2015 Edge will be in the marketplace? Enough for incoming Ford CEO Mark Fields to spend nearly an hour discussing innovation with Harvard University business professor Clayton Christensen and designer Kenneth Cole – two "experts" on the matter – before the vehicle's official unveiling Tuesday night in Dearborn, Mich.Watch video
DEARBORN, MI-How innovative does Ford Motor Co. believe its 2015 Edge will be in the marketplace?
Enough for incoming Ford CEO Mark Fields to spend nearly an hour discussing innovation with Harvard University business professor Clayton Christensen and designer Kenneth Cole – two "experts" on the matter – before the vehicle's official unveiling Tuesday night in Dearborn, Mich.
"Innovation really cuts right to the heritage of our company," he told reporters following the vehicle's unveiling at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. "We really foster that ... We really try to encourage that creative thinking."
Fields, who will succeed Alan Mulally as CEO on July 1, said the all-new midsize crossover is the "most technologically advanced utility ever."
The 2015 Edge features enhanced engine options, redesigned exterior and interior and a host of new technologies, including a handful making their Ford debuts on the Edge.
New technologies on the vehicle include a new sportier steering system, 180-degree front camera, enhanced park assist with perpendicular and parallel parking with pull-out aide, side park sensors and two new engine options.
Innovation discussion
The discussion on innovation before the 2015 Edge was unveiled ranged from philosophical talks on a fast food restaurant enhancing its milkshakes to a charismatic Cole joking about building his empire from the "original form of transportation."
"I am a purveyor of the original form of transportation, and it's what you wear on your feet, which preceded anything Henry Ford did or had to say," he said.
Cole said while fashion is nothing like it was in so many ways, innovation and bringing different ideas to the table is critical.
Before unveiling the all-new 2015 Edge, incoming Ford CEO Mark Fields (center) discussed innovation with Harvard University business professor Clayton Christensen (left) and designer Kenneth Cole (right). Michael Wayland | MLive "The best solution in our business is rarely the most expensive," he said. "It's almost always the most creative."
Global Edge
The 2015 Edge will be the newest global utility vehicle for the Dearborn-based automaker. It will start being sold in the U.S. early next year, followed by international markets, including South America, China and Europe – where it will be the "flagship utility" for the brand.
Fields said he's confident in Ford's ability to successfully launch the second-generation Edge globally.
"We're building on a position of strength here in the U.S.," he said. "Since we launched it, it's been one of the best-sellers."
When launched in late 2006, Edge helped propel the crossover sport utility vehicle segment in North America, where Ford was the top-selling utility vehicle brand for a third consecutive year in 2013. Ford utility vehicle sales have been strong elsewhere as well, increasing nearly 20 percent in Europe last year. In China, Ford's share of the utility vehicle segment is growing exponentially, increasing to 4.5 percent in 2013 from less than 1 percent in 2012.
Eventually, Ford says Edge will be sold in more than 100 markets worldwide.
2015 Ford Edge Titanium (Courtesy image) The 2015 Edge is now based on the same global platform as the award-winning Ford Fusion that debuted in North America in 2012.
Raj Nair, vice president of global product , said the platform, referred as CD, was designed to provide the best handling for sedans and crossovers.
"The all-new Edge is really an exciting milestone for us," he said. "It represents another important step forward in our One Ford plan."
Engines
The vehicle will come standard with a new twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with optional start-stop. An enhanced 3.5-liter V6 will be optional. A Sport version of the vehicle will be exclusively available with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 expected to deliver more than 300 horsepower. All will be equipped with dual output exhaust and a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
J.D. Shanahan, chief program engineer, said Ford expects standard engine to be about 60 percent of U.S. sales, followed by the 3.5-liter at 30 percent and Sport at 10 percent.
"They're moving the Edge to the future," he said. "It's about taking the Ford driving DNA to the next level and applying it into the Edge platform."
Shanahan said the engines are expected to perform better than the current options, but Ford is not announcing exact performance specifications until closer to the launch of the vehicle.
2015 Ford Edge Sport and Titanium Exterior enhancements
The 2015 Edge is slightly larger than the model it replaces with more interior space, but retains its familiar four-door, five-seat configuration and silhouette.
Moray Callum, Ford design chief, said designers looked to enhance the vehicle's exterior design, but add Ford's new global DNA to the crossover.
"There's a trend toward more sleeker, more athletic design," This inspired us to envision Edge as the runner as opposed to Edge the boxer."
Its exterior design characteristics are also similar to the Edge Concept, which Ford unveiled at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
The vehicle also features a new grille similar to some of its global models, new headlights and LED tail lamps, and active grille shutters to help improve fuel economy.
Production
The all-new Edge will be built at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex, near Toronto, where Ford invested $700 million to produce the new vehicle.
The 3.5-liter 24-valve Ti-VCT and 2.7-liter EcoBoost 24-valve V6 engines will be produced at Ford's Lima Engine Plant in Ohio. The twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost 16-valve DOHC I-4 will be produced in Valencia, Spain.
Ford did not announce pricing for the 2015 Edge. The 2014 model starts at roughly $28,000.
Michael Wayland covers the automotive industry for MLive. Email him at MWayland@mlive.com & follow him on Twitter @MikeWayland or Google+.