2011 Ford Edge Sport

• 2011 Ford Edge boasts new tires, larger wheels and retuned shocks and springs, all of which deliver a more engaging driving experience for customers
• The new tires also complement an improved braking system, contributing to significantly improved braking confidence and stopping distance
• Changes to the sound pack, windshield and aerodynamic package all contribute to a noticeably quieter experience for the customer

CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2010 – Engineers worked from the ground – make that road – up to improve the driving dynamics of the 2011 Ford Edge, creating an experience that is more pleasing to the head, heart and ear.

New 18-inch tires, standard on the 2011 Ford Edge SEL and Edge Limited, and new wheels that are one-half inch wider than the outgoing product help create a more engaging steering feel. Twenty-inch tires with new wider wheels are optional on the Edge Limited while the Edge Sport features class-exclusive standard 22-inch wheels.

“Our tire and wheel lineup is better,” said Richard Kreder, 2011 Edge vehicle engineering manager. “Customers will enjoy a better connection to the road because of the better tires as well as other improvements to the handling and ride.”

Complementing the new tire and wheel lineup is a retuned suspension. Shocks, springs and stabilizer bars were adjusted to tighten handling. The shocks now feature a high-flow piston, which allows engineers to tune for both road loads and driving dynamics, without compromising ride for handling or vice versa. The result is a flatter response through turns and over hills while still providing a comfortable ride.

“The 2011 Edge has been engineered to provide a more connected feel between the driver and the road through responsive acceleration, engaging steering, spirited handling and confident braking,” said Kreder.

New four-wheel disc brakes provide enhanced stopping power. Key brake system upgrades include steel pistons, larger rear rotors, revised brake friction materials, revised brake booster gain and revised pedal ratios, all of which enable more initial bite and a firmer, more confident feel when customers press on the brake pedal.

The 2011 Edge offers several new brake-related features: Hill Start Assist, which reduces rollback on hills; Trailer Sway Control, which provides greater towing stability when equipped for trailer tow; Hydraulic Brake Assist, which provides greater braking force in emergency stops; and available segment-first Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support, which helps reduce speed and automatically pre-charges brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system to help drivers stop more quickly when the system detects a collision is imminent.

New subframe mounts enhance drivability, help reduce road noise
The original Edge set numerous benchmarks in overall quietness, and that tradition continues as the 2011 Ford Edge has better wind noise than many premium vehicles such as the Lexus RX350, Audi Q5 and Acura MDX.

Both the front and rear subframe mounts have been upgraded, adding to the increased tunability of the suspension and improving NVH (noise, vibration, harshness). The larger rear subframe bushing’s rubber volume was increased by more than 500 percent compared with the outgoing bushings, improving the isolation between the subframe and the body, which in turn helps decrease road noise.

Both road noise and wind noise are significantly decreased in the 2011 Ford Edge due to improvements throughout the interior and exterior, including powertrain. Here’s a look at some of the other actions:

• Sound pack and acoustic glass: A more absorptive sound pack is found throughout the interior, which reduces high-frequency noise more effectively than material that acts merely as a barrier. The result is an improved articulation index, which measures how easy it is to hear and understand someone in the vehicle. The 2011 Edge also features an acoustic headliner, and the microphone for the SYNC® system has been relocated so it is closer to the driver for improved voice recognition. The windshield is thicker and now acoustic-laminated on all Edge models. Finally, baked-on expandable foam baffles in the fenders and D-pillars help seal out unwanted road noise.
• Powertrain NVH improvements: Three main actions contribute to a quieter 2011 Edge from a powertrain NVH perspective. A more robust engine cover is one improvement. Next, the intake and exhaust systems have been completely retuned for a crisper note corresponding to Ford powertrain DNA. Finally, a “tighter” torque converter reduces engine rpm on launch and tip-in events, reducing engine noise.
• Aerodynamic improvements: Both the lowered front fascia and new underbody shields contribute to improved wind noise.

“Wind noise is nearly nonexistent at speeds below 60 mph and at highway speeds remains subdued so that you still can have effortless conversations with passengers or use the voice-activated SYNC system,” said Kreder. “The acoustic package in the 2011 Edge has been specifically tuned throughout to provide the driver and passengers with enhanced speech recognition while minimizing all types of unwanted background noises, resulting in an exceptionally enjoyable driving experience.”

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.