Ford Edge Overview

Posted by autodirect70 on April 28, 2010 · 1 Comment 

FORD Edge HySeries

Ford Edge

We find ourselves in this quandary after having taken the company’s one-of-a-kind Edge HySeries fuel-cell/plug-in hybrid prototype for a spin on Chicago’s slush-covered streets.

A box of futurism to go
The prototype HySeries drivetrain consists of a large box of lithium-ion batteries, two electric motors (one front and one rear), a kielbasa-shaped tank of compressed hydrogen and a mountain of electronic stuff, and it all combines to make the Edge HySeries prototype feel like a big golf cart.

The Edge HySeries is a different variety of hybrid that uses only electric power to motivate its hefty 5,400 pounds (some 870 pounds heavier than a regular Edge).

The hydrogen-fed fuel cell is onboard only to recharge the batteries. Think of the Edge HySeries as a city with big electrical needs and the fuel cell as a coal-burning power plant.

The plug-and-play drivetrain
The HySeries powertrain is a sort of plug-and-play concept for propulsion. The power plant, for example, needn’t be a fuel cell. It might be any kind of engine: a three-cylinder gas engine, a small diesel, a small turbine engine — anything that can generate electrical power.

This system (which we stress that Ford is not necessarily the first to conceive) is ideally suited to a hydrogen fuel cell. The primary advantage is the fuel cell’s utter lack of harmful emissions compared with a conventional engine.

This reduces the fuel cell’s cost and makes it easier to package the device in an existing vehicle.

In the Edge HySeries, the fuel cell is mounted under the front-passenger seat. Ford dressed the HySeries show vehicle up with 22-inch wheels similar to those from the Range Rover Sport. Why? The fuel tank holds about 10 pounds of usable hydrogen under 5,075 pounds per square inch of pressure. Luckily, Ford brought the Edge to us with a full tank.

It can take either 110- or 220-volt power.

The powertrain delivers an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 41 mpg, with no tailpipe emissions. But drivers with short commutes (less than 50 miles per day) could see the equivalent of 80 mpg because they’d use mostly battery power and very little hydrogen.

The conventional braking system has no regenerative capability (the ability to capture kinetic energy to help recharge the batteries) as many hybrids do. The HySeries drivetrain does generate a small amount of battery regenerative power while coasting, however.

The rise of the plug-in hybrid
The plug-in hybrid appears to make sense in the way that electrical vehicles or fuel-cell vehicles alone do not. The HySeries Drive system was also shown at Detroit, but not in the Edge that we drove.

Ford Edge Overview

The Ford Edge is Ford’s brand new entry into the fast growing crossover utility vehicle (CUV) market. Based upon the Mazda6’s CD3 platform, the Edge’s three-bar grille bears a striking resemblance to the Ford Fusion sedan. It can seat up to five passengers, or carry objects up to eight feet long when the passenger seats are folded. The Ford Edge is one of the smaller vehicles competing in the crowded crossover market. With only two rows of seats, the Edge can only carry five people in comfort, though both front and rear seats are spacious.

The Edge is available in three trims. Each of the Edge’s trims comes standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available.

The Ford Edge is a new model with no long-term reliability information available. So far, there have been no initial reliability reports issued, but based on Ford’s track record, expect the Ford Edge to have a below-average reliability rating. Tests have shown the Edge to take 191 feet to come to a full stop at 70 mph and 152 feet at 60 mph.

Pros and Cons:

Pros + Sporty handling + Competitively priced + Plenty of standard safety features

Cons – Unknown reliability – Bland interior – Weak brakes

Vital Stats

Starting MSRP: $27,420	Gas Mileage: 18/25	Torque: 250@4500RPM
Rebates & Incentives: no	Engine: 3.5L V6	Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic
Seats: 5	Horsepower: 265@6250RPM	Drive: FR/FWD
Fuel Capacity: 19	Fuel Type: gasoline	Basic Warranty: 36/36000
Powertrain Warranty: 60/60000	Rust Warranty: 60/Unlimit

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Filed under Ford, Hybrid Car, Hybrid Vehicles · Tagged with American Hybrid Car, Ford Edge, Ford Hybrid, Hybrid Car, Hybrid Vehicle, Hybrid Vehicles