IT’S OFFICIAL: FORD HAS SLAPPED ITS ST BADGE ON AN SUV
Ford has revealed its new Edge ST, affixing the high-performance badge to its mid-size SUV.
While the Edge isn’t offered here in South Africa, the reveal does seemingly signal the start of the automaker’s fresh plan to bulk up its Ford Performance line-up with fast SUVs.
The first SUV to be tuned by the Ford Performance team (the Territory ST was built before the dedicated high-performance division was created in late 2014), the Edge ST is powered by a tuned version of the brand’s 2,7-litre twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine, in this case worth 250 kW and 515 N.m, and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters).
While Ford has yet to reveal claimed performance figures (we should learn more after the official reveal at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit), it does say that the hot Edge will gain a Sport mode featuring sharper throttle response and shifting patterns that hold gears near redline, along with a “more resonant exhaust tone”.
All-wheel drive comes standard along with selectable traction control, while Ford will also offer a performance braking package and “ST-tuned” sport suspension.
The Edge ST gains model-specific styling cues fore and aft, including a wide mesh grille and dual-exit exhausts. Deep side-skirts and new 21-inch alloys set it apart in profile, while the steering wheel, seats and scuff-plates all feature ST-badging.
While we’re highly unlikely to see this new model in South Africa, it does certainly point to Ford’s intention to offer other ST-badged SUVs going forward…
Edge ST features superior handling and braking, ST-tuned sport suspension, Sport Mode, new quick-shifting 8-speed transmission, standard all-wheel-drive, and the most powerful V6 engine in its class.
