Ford at Frankfurt: Euro-spec Ford Edge diesels with up to 40.6 mpg; new Ranger pickup with 17% improvement in fuel efficiency

[kscarbel2]

Green Car Congress / September 14, 2015

Ford will be introducing the Euro-spec version of its Edge SUV at the IAA in Frankfurt this week. The large SUV will be offered in Europe with a choice of 180 PS (177.5 hp) 2.0-liter TDCi diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission, or 210 PS (207.1 hp) bi-turbo 2.0‑liter TDCi diesel with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission. Ford said both powertrains will deliver up to 40.6 mpg US (5.8 l/100 km) fuel efficiency and 149g/km CO₂ supported by Auto-Start-Stop technology.

The upscale Edge will join the Ford Kuga (U.S. market Escape) SUV and EcoSport compact SUV to meet the demands of growing numbers of SUV customers in Europe. Ford expects to sell 200,000 SUVs in Europe in 2016—a 200% increase compared to 2013. (Earlier post.)

Edge also will feature Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) technology as standard, delivering a seamless transition between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive performance to provide a more secure footing on the road especially in slippery conditions.

Measuring how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface every 16 milliseconds, the system can send up to 100% of engine torque to the front or rear wheels. By only delivering torque where and when it is needed, Intelligent AWD has minimal impact on fuel-efficiency and CO₂ emissions compared with permanent four-wheel drive systems.

Edge and the new Ford Ranger pickup, also being introduced at Frankfurt, are among eight Ford models offered with AWD or four-wheel drive, including the all-new Focus RS, Galaxy, S-MAX, Mondeo and Mondeo Vignale.

All-new Edge will offer new Ford technologies, including Adaptive Steering, which automatically optimizes the steering response according to vehicle speed, making it easy to maneuver at low speeds, while remaining precise and intuitive at higher speeds; and Front Split View Camera, which makes restricted visibility junctions or parking spaces easier to negotiate.

Edge will introduce segment-first Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection; a camera- and radar-based system that operates at speeds from 5mph to over 100mph to detect vehicles and people in the road ahead. The system can automatically apply the brakes if a potential collision is detected and the driver does not respond to warnings. Ford anticipates a five-star safety rating from independent crash test authority Euro NCAP.

Acoustic windscreen glass and laminated glass for the driver and front passenger door windows help minimize noise in the cabin. Underbody panels and wheel well liners further minimize road and wind noise. All Edge models (except Zetec in UK) are also equipped with Ford’s Active Noise Control technology that detects unwanted engine noise in the cabin and cancels it out with opposing sound waves that are fed through the car’s sound system.

Ranger

The current Ford Ranger has generated rapid sales growth in Europe since first being introduced in late 2011. Total sales of 21,600 vehicles in 2014 in Ford’s 20 traditional European markets were more than double those achieved in 2012, while 16,700 Rangers were sold in the first eight months of 2015—a further 36% increase year-over-year. Ranger won the prestigious “International Pickup Award 2013” title, and the new model will be challenging for the 2016 award at the competition next month.

New Ranger offers improved fuel economy, with a more efficient powertrain range—enhanced by Auto-Start-Stop technology, new final drive ratio options and the introduction of Electric Power Assisted Steering—delivering reductions in fuel consumption of up to 17%.

The improved diesel line-up features 130 PS (128.2 hp) and 160 PS (157.8 hp) variants of Ford’s latest 2.2-liter TDCi engine—delivering increased output compared to the 125 PS and 150 PS engines in the outgoing model—and the 200 PS (197.3 hp) five-cylinder 3.2-liter TDCi unit.

Both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available, and customers can select four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive variants. Wildtrak models feature four-wheel drive as standard.

All new Ranger variants achieve significantly improved fuel efficiency, with the 160 PS model offering exceptional figures of 6.5 l/100 km (36.2 mpg US) and 171 g/km CO₂ emissions for reduced running costs—compared with 7.8 l/100 km (30.2 mpg US) and 206 g/km CO₂ in the outgoing model.

An electronically controlled transfer case allows drivers in four-wheel drive models to shift on the fly from two- to four-wheel drive high-range with a knob on the center console. For low- speed torque or additional downhill braking in challenging terrain, drivers also can engage low- range four-wheel drive gearing. An electronic locking rear differential also helps to improve traction in difficult conditions. These off-road strengths are matched by towing capability of up to 3,500 kg and payload capacity.

An array of driver assistance technologies deliver greater comfort and convenience, including Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert, Front and Rear Park Assist, Rear View Camera, and a standard Electronic Stability Control system with rollover mitigation and trailer sway control.

Other smart technologies include:

• Hill Launch Assist, which helps drivers confidently start off from a slope, whether in forward or reverse;

• Hill Descent Control, which uses the traction control system to help when descending steep slopes at a constant speed;

• Adaptive Load Control, which adjusts the Electronic Stability Control system based on vehicle load; and

• Emergency Brake Assistance, which provides additional pressure to the brake system to increase braking force when the driver applies the brakes quickly in an emergency situation.