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EcoBoost-Powered 2012 Ford Edge EPA-Certified At 30 MPG

The 2012 Ford Edge with the optional 2.0 liter EcoBoost four cylinder engine has been EPA-certified to deliver 30 MPG on the highway. The impressive fuel economy is complemented by equally-impactful power numbers, with the boosted four pot putting out 240 horsepower (at 5,500 RPM) and a healthy 270 lb.-ft. of torque (at 3,000 RPM).

All of the attributes of a typical EcoBoost engine are present and accounted for in this motor, such as direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). What’s more, the boosted Edge uses low-friction motor oil (5W-GF5), a variable-displacement A/C compressor, and a special 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission that’s geared for fuel economy by utilizing active transmission warm-up to help reduce internal friction that occurs before the powertrain reaches optimal operating temperature.

To top off the changes, the boosted Edge also ushers in active grille shutters, a category-exclusive feature that shuts slats in the grille to improve aerodynamics and fuel economy at higher speeds. Those still longing for a V6, fear not — the 3.5 and 3.7 liter six-bangers aren’t going anywhere… at least for the time being.

The Motrolix Take

This is probably one of the best examples of combining great fuel economy and great power. In fact, the fuel economy and power output of the 2.0 liter EcoBoost make us question the strategies of Ford’s primary competitors, such as General Motors and its Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, both of which offer a four- and six-cylinder engine. Ironically, the 3.0 liter six in the Equinox/Terrain only offers 264 horsepower and a measly 222 lb.-ft. of torque while achieving 30 MPG on the highway. Looks like Ford has a winner on its hands here, folks.

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Ford Edge with New EcoBoost 2.0L Engine Delivers EPA-Rated 30 MPG Highway, Great Performance

Dearborn, Mich., Aug. 2, 2011 – The Ford Edge crossover, the latest vehicle to receive the company’s EcoBoost® 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, is now certified by the EPA to deliver 30 mpg highway. This complements the best-in-class Edge V6 fuel economy to give utility customers expanded fuel efficient choices.

“Fuel efficiency is important to our customers,” said Amy Marentic, group marketing manager, Large Cars and Crossovers. “Adding the EcoBoost engine to the new Ford Edge crossover makes for 13 vehicles delivering 30 mpg or more in the Ford showroom.”

The Ford Edge delivers 30 mpg on the highway, besting all SUVs its size or larger, in addition to cars such as the Honda Civic Si and the Saab 9-3 automatic. The only competitive utilities offering higher highway fuel economy than Edge with EcoBoost are a few smaller-size vehicles such as the Ford Escape Hybrid.

Combining gasoline direct injection and turbocharging with smaller overall displacement, this advanced new EcoBoost engine delivers the power of a normally aspirated V6, yet delivers four-cylinder fuel efficiency.

EcoBoost has been successful at attracting new, more upscale customers to the Ford showroom. Taurus SHO and Flex with EcoBoost lead the Ford lineup for car and utility conquesting. More than half of all Taurus SHO buyers are new to the Ford brand, and more than 62 percent of Flex with EcoBoost buyers had not previously considered a Ford product.

With popular F-150 pickup trucks now offering an EcoBoost option, sales of Ford vehicles with this advanced technology have crested 70,000 units and the F-150 EcoBoost now accounts for 41 percent of total F-150 sales, making it the top-selling full-sized V6 pickup truck on the market.

EcoBoost is a global Ford engine to provide affordable fuel efficiency for millions of drivers, while delivering the power they desire. By the end of 2011, Ford will have built nearly 180,000 EcoBoost-powered vehicles in North America. EcoBoost will be offered in 90 percent of Ford vehicles by 2013. Ford holds more than 125 patents on its EcoBoost engine technology.

13 at 30 or more
Adding a fuel-efficient EcoBoost engine to the popular Edge crossover means the Ford showroom now offers customers a choice among 13 model/powertrain variations that deliver an EPA fuel economy rating of 30 mpg or more.

These Ford offerings are listed here with their respective city/highway EPA-rated fuel economy estimates:

Edge with EcoBoost: 21 mpg/30 mpg
Escape Hybrid FWD: 34 mpg/31 mpg
Escape Hybrid AWD: 30 mpg/27 mpg
Fiesta five-speed manual: 29 mpg/37 mpg
Fiesta automatic: 29 mpg/38 mpg
Fiesta SFE automatic: 29 mpg/40 mpg
Focus five-speed manual: 26 mpg/36 mpg
Focus automatic: 28 mpg/38 mpg
Focus SFE automatic: 28 mpg/40 mpg
Fusion 2.5-liter automatic: 23 mpg/33 mpg
Fusion Hybrid: 41 mpg/36 mpg
Mustang 3.7-liter Coupe automatic: 19 mpg/31 mpg
Mustang 3.7-liter Convertible automatic: 19 mpg/30 mpg

Edge fuel-saving technologies
Building on Edge V6 best-in-class highway fuel economy, the EcoBoost powertrain makes Edge an even more economical proposition.

This advanced EcoBoost four-cylinder engine provides the optimum balance between fuel efficiency and responsive power, delivering 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a generous 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. Edge with EcoBoost delivers comparable fuel economy to Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, yet offers utility shoppers a responsive choice as Edge provides a 58 horsepower advantage over these compact General Motors offerings.

The Edge with EcoBoost combination of superior fuel efficiency and ample responsiveness is enabled by direct gasoline injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT).

Efficiency is further enhanced through employment of low-friction 5W-GF5 motor oil, a variable-displacement air conditioning compressor and a unique 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission optimized for fuel efficiency through employment of active transmission warm-up to help reduce internal friction as the powertrain approaches normal operating temperature.

Edge with EcoBoost also introduces category-exclusive active grille shutters. These variable grille slats close as vehicle speed increases to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

Production location
The 2012 Edge with EcoBoost is produced at the Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.

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Motrolix Founder with a passion for global automotive business strategy.

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