First look: Ford's Edge of reality

JUST when we thought Ford’s "Edge" design philosophy, which was the inspiration behind a number of notable failures in Australia (the Ka, Cougar and AU Falcon, to name three) was being put out to pasture, along comes the Blue Oval’s latest crossover concept: er, the new Edge.

An in-the-metal look at the Detroit show next month will reveal much more than this preliminary sketch – and the prospects of success the small 4WD might have Down Under - following its release in North America in the final quarter of 2006.

"Much like Fusion has done for the mid-size sedan, the new Ford Edge will inject a healthy dose of American design and personality into the hot crossover market," said ex-Volvo styling boss and now Ford’s executive director of North America design, Peter Horbury.

The Edge has a mechanical combo to watch out for in forthcoming Fords: a new 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox.