- Ford Enlivens Nigeria’s Auto Market With New Edge
Just before the end of a recession year in Nigeria, characterised by poor sales and scarce new car launches, Coscharis Motors has unveiled the 2016 edition of Ford Edge, which comes loaded with sophisticated technologies including active noise control and pre-collision assist/pedestrian detection.
The event, which was held in Lagos, was witnessed by officials of the Ford Middle East and African Region, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jacques Brent.
The President, Coscharis Group, Cosmas Maduka, says the introduction of the new Ford Edge to the Nigerian market is not to allow the gloomy recession deny the fans the opportunity of having the latest Ford masterpiece in their garages.
Specifically, he says the new vehicle, coming after the 2016 Ford Explorer and all-new Ford Figo, is a confirmation of the automaker’s continuous improvement and innovation on all its line-up.
According to Maduka, the Edge comes in three variants – SE, SEL and Limited, all of which have striking designs and assert their presence on the road, either in motion or in parking position.
He says the new Ford Edge is an upscale sport utility vehicle that delivers premium levels of comfort, sophisticated driver assistance features and class-leading driving dynamics, adding that its Ford Adaptive Steering automatically adjusts the steering ratio according to speed to optimise manoeuvrability and precision.
Ford, in a statement on the new Edge, quotes its Regional Sales and Marketing Manager, Customer Services Division for sub-Saharan Africa, Rob Johnston, as saying, “The spacious and high-tech Ford Edge responds to our customers’ demands for a premium Ford SUV.
“Offering cutting-edge style with commanding presence and high specification including Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive, the Edge makes advanced technologies and premium quality more accessible to the growing numbers of SUV customers around the world, and in Africa.”
Interior
Ford also says the vehicle sets new standards in its class for interior space, featuring high quality materials and offering comfort with convenience features including heated as well as cooled front seats and a panoramic roof on the high-spec models.
It has luxurious seating options, depending on model derivative, which include front and rear heated leather seats that enhance comfort in cold weather, and cooled front seats that offer relief to occupants on hot days by directing cold air from the climate system through perforations in the seat leather.
Ford says, “Customers who welcome the sunshine into their cars will enjoy Edge’s expansive panoramic glass roof on the SEL, Titanium and Sport models, with two large glass panels that add to the spacious, open and airy feel of the interior.”
Luggage capacity of 1,847 litres with the rear seats folded is among the largest in the segment, and additional stowage areas are located around the wheel arches, according to the automaker.
Other striking features
Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection is unique to the car and it applies braking if a collision with another vehicle ahead is imminent, and is designed to detect people in or near the road ahead and automatically apply the brakes if a potential collision is detected.
Its adaptive LED headlamp technology employs Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System to adjust the headlight beam angle to match the driving environment; while the Glare-Free High-beam technology detects vehicles ahead, both oncoming and those travelling in the same direction, and blocks out light that could dazzle from the adaptive LED headlamp technology while retaining maximum illumination for other areas.
The all-new Edge sensor technologies also make parking easier with its Perpendicular Parking that can detect and reverse the car hands-free into spaces alongside other cars in the same way that Active Park Assist helps drivers to parallel park.
Engine
The new Ford Edge comes with the advanced 2.0-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that uses a twin-scroll turbocharger to produce 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Ford Edge uses the latest powertrain technologies to deliver optimised fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
There is the option of 3.5-litre Ti-VCT V6 engine with 280hp and 250 lb.-ft peak outputs.
Its all Edge derivatives are mated to a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, with the choice of front-wheel drive or Ford’s Intelligent All Wheel Drive system on the 2.0 EcoBoost and 3.5 V6 versions.
Safety
Some of its safety features are the Blind Spot Information System; Traffic Sign Recognition; Lane Keeping Alert; Lane Keeping Aid and Driver Alert.
A fully configurable 3D digital instrument cluster allows drivers to personalise the information displays to their own preferences, while maintaining a simple, elegant appearance, Ford adds.
“The Ford Edge is the first Ford vehicle designed to meet the new 2016 Euro NCAP five-star occupant and pedestrian protection standards.”
