2018 Ford Edge Australian pricing and details revealed

Ford Australia's market research company presented two models, an entry level Trend and top-specification Titanium Plus, to a top-secret research panel in a bid to feel out the market.

According to information provided to participants, the range will include four models, an entry level Trend, mid-spec Sport, upper-spec Titanium and top-spec Titanium Plus, with the range to run from $49,990 to $75,000.

The price point would sit just above the current Ford Kuga Titanium diesel ($47,190 plus on-road costs) and would commence from the current Ford Territory Titanium petrol rear-wheel drive model ($49,490 plus on-road costs), but beneath the larger Everest, which kicks off from $54,990 (plus on-road costs) for the Everest Ambient all-wheel drive.

The entire range will be offered with a single 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 140kW of power and 400Nm of torque, consuming a combined 5.9L/100km. Additionally, the range will exclusively run through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, according to information provided.

An eight-speed automatic currently isn't available across the Ford range, but was under development by Ford in 2012. There is a chance this gearbox and engine combination will make its way into a Ford Edge update, which is likely to occur next year before the car arrives in Australia.

A more likely candidate for this vehicle and engine combination is a 10-speed automatic gearbox currently being co-developed between Ford and General Motors.

Ford Australia announced earlier in the year that the Edge won't be sourced from China, which leaves the next likely option as the Canadian Ford plant, which currently produces Edge for the UK market.

That plant only produces five-seat versions of the Edge, but it's expected that this plant will take on the different body style offered in China, which accommodates seven seats in the Edge body.

The UK and US market Edge measures in at 4778mm in length, with the seven-seat Chinese variant requiring an additional 70mm (4848mm).

Unlike the Ford Territory, which offers a 2700kg braked towing capacity in all-wheel drive diesel specification, the Edge will only tow 2000kg, making the Everest the only option for buyers towing larger loads.

The Titanium Plus model presented to the panel features a high-grade leather interior (similar to the Chinese-specification vehicle) and comes with a panoramic glass sunroof, high and low speed autonomous emergency braking, LCD screens built into the first row headrests and a 360 degree rear-view camera.

The entire range comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, with a 21-inch option for Titanium and Titanium Plus models. The entire range can also be optioned with the rear-seat LCD screens, panoramic glass roof and 360 degree rear-view camera as a $4500 option package.

Additionally, mid- and upper-spec vehicles are also expected to come with Sync 3 as standard, along with a 10.1 inch colour LCD screen that features speedometer, tachometer and trip computer functions.

Sync 3 is Ford's latest 8.0-inch infotainment system that features Apple CarPlay.

While Australia is expected to get only one engine offering, the Edge range is available globally with a number of powerplants including a high-performance 2.7-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol V6 with 242kW of power and a larger 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine with 210kW of power.

Ford Australia product communications manager, Damion Smy couldn't confirm whether the information was correct, or even whether the Edge would get a local ride and handling tune.

"All that we have confirmed is that it’s coming in 2018. All the talk on engines, seating configuration et al is speculation," Smy said.

Given we have previously seen Chinese market Ford Edges driving around locally, we expect Ford Australia to have a strong input into its local ride and handling, along with tyre specifications.

CarAdvice will keep you posted as more information comes to hand.

Do you think the Ford Edge will work in Australia at this price point?

Listen to the CarAdvice team discuss this news below, and catch more like this at caradvice.com/podcast.

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