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Driven: 2016 Ford Edge 2.0 TDCi Bi-Turbo 4x4 PowerShift - Driving Take

If you want a driver’s car with the Blue Oval badge up front, I'm afraid the Ford Edge isn’t it. You’re better off with a Focus RS or Fiesta ST, as well as the hell-bent for leather Shelby GT350 siblings. But overall, the European version of the Edge feels proper for a vehicle this size and with this powertrain/drivetrain combo.
2016 Ford Edge 2.0 TDCi Bi-Turbo 4x4 PowerShift (European model) 110 photos
Photo: Florin Profir
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As mentioned in the interior assessment chapter, this mid-sized crossover SUV rides on the Ford CD4 platform shared with the S-Max, Mondeo, and various Lincoln models. But whereas the U.S.-spec Edge is available with a choice of three gasoline-fed engines (2.0 twin-scroll turbo EcoBoost, 3.5 Ti-VCT V6, and 2.7 EcoBoost twin-turbo V6) and with FWD or AWD, the European model is exclusively offered with AWD and two turbo diesel mills.

The first of the lot is a 2.0 TDCi with a single turbo, which is matched with a 6-speed manual transmission and churns out 179 PS (177 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm. Please pay close attention to the peak torque band. The second option is a 2.0 TDCi that’s enhanced by two turbos and a 6-speed dual-clutch auto developed by Getrag. Output? 209 PS (206 hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) from 2,250 to 2,500 rpm. Indeed, the 2.0 TDCi Bi-Turbo engine has more puff than the single-turbo powerplant, but it’s much, much harder to exploit. And boy, it shows that.

The white-painted Edge featured in the photo gallery came with the more powerful of the two types of diesel engines, and as expected, the narrow band in which it delivers peak torque can be frustrating in city driving scenarios. A case in point is waiting at a junction for the right moment to turn either right or left. When the action is go, you press the loud pedal only to find out that the twin-turbo diesel hesitates to set things in motion ASAP.

Despite that, 2.0 TDCi Bi-Turbo diesel is happy to eat the miles on the long haul. From 2nd gear upward, the oil-burning engine and DCT box work in conjunction to deliver relentless acceleration. Mind you, it’s best not to step on the gas like you mean it, but halfway through at first then full. That’s because the 6-speed dual-clutch tranny kicks down into a too-low gear when mashing your foot on the throttle, resulting in too-high revs for the 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel engine to motivate the Edge Sport at full potential.

2016 Ford Edge
Photo: Florin Profir
Curiously for a dual-clutch automatic, the PowerShift in the EU-spec 2016 Ford Edge feels more like a conventional automatic. In many situations, it gives the impressions that it’s happier to swap cogs gently rather than get the job done with the urgency of a DSG or PDK in manual mode. But to its defense, the Getrag-developed transmission is very responsive if you like to use the steering wheel-mounted paddles to change gears. Be that as it may, I prefer to leave the Ford Edge’s 6-speeder DCT to its own devices.

When it comes do driving dynamics, the Edge in Sport form is more equal than every other variation of the Edge that’s sold in Europe. I admit that I ain’t a fan of sports suspension on such a vehicle, but the stiffer springs, monotube rear dampers, and thicker anti-roll bars work their magic when the going gets twisty. Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive system also helps with keeping things in check, both on the road and off the beaten track. I found it most helpful during trail braking. But as anyone would expect from a high-riding car, body roll is also present. It's not a deal breaker, though.

Another plus point for the Edge Sport goes to the 20-inch wheels wrapped in a good set of rubber shoes. This combo offers the Edge Sport the sort of stopping prowess few would expect from a mid-size crossover made by a volume manufacturer. The adaptive steering, however, has its limitations.

In town, the adaptive steering system (which is standard on the Edge Sport) makes the car feel more agile and easier to maneuver in tight places. Once the Edge Sport escapes the shackles of the city, it’s easy to notice that the steering wheel feels weightier than natural at high speeds. It’s not bad, but Ford Adaptive Steering on the Edge Sport feels excessively weighty for a gizmo developed with the sole purpose of making life easier for the driver.

2016 Ford Edge
Photo: Florin Profir
When it comes does to ride quality, I kid you not the 2016 Ford Edge Sport doesn’t feel uncomfortable for what it is. It doesn’t crash into potholes, nor do uneven roads unsettle the car. Still, you’re constantly reminded that this North American interloper rides on 20-inch wheels. But anyway, I wouldn’t have the 2016 Ford Edge any other way because those 20-inch gunmetal-painted alloys are crucial to the sexiness of this mid-sized crossover SUV.

Despite the shortcomings presented in this piece of our 2016 Ford Edge 2.0 TDCi Bi-Turbo 4x4 PowerShift test drive, it should be noted that this vehicle feels assuredly composed considering its weight (1,949 kilograms / 4,297 pounds). Fuel economy isn’t too bad either, especially if you’re the type of driver who likes to cruise rather than sprint. Nonetheless, it's faily obvious that Ford of Europe's bean counters played it safe with the Edge.

It’s rather funny when you think that the old Explorer for the British market burbled away its V8 melody, while the Euro-spec Edge is available with a couple of 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesels. A twin-turbo V6 would’ve been an interesting option for Europe, despite the fact Europeans sure love diesel power. For all intents and purposes, a higher-output engine fueled by high-octane jungle juice would’ve made the Edge a more upmarket proposition for the European customer, especially in combination with the Vignale trim.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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