2015 Ford Edge Sport will make 315 hp

UPCOMING CROSSOVER TO USE 2.7-LITER V6

    Ford has released performance specifications for the upcoming Edge Sport, which is due to go on sale this spring. Meant to be a performance version of Ford's midsize crossover, the Edge Sport will make use of Ford's newest EcoBoost engine -- a 2.7-liter V6 -- which will produce 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.

   Ford says that they've achieved a 10 percent bump in horsepower and a 25 percent increase in torque over the outgoing engine, which was a 3.7-liter V6. And peak torque will now be available at just 2,750 rpm, which will also represent an improvement over the 2014 model. Ford says that the front-wheel-drive version of the Edge Sport will return 18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway for a 21 mpg combined EPA-estimated ratings, while the all-wheel-drive version of the CUV will return 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for a combined 20 mpg rating.

   Changes under the hood won't be the only new items in the 2015 Edge Sport, as the company has also reworked the suspension with front and rear antiroll bars that are said to be 15 percent stiffer than in the base model and coil springs that are 10 percent stiffer. Ford says that these improvements yield 20 percent less body roll than in the previous-generation model.

   "Ford customer research showed there was a strong desire for more in terms of power and content, and with the redesign of Ford Edge, we wanted to give customers a true sport version, which meant bringing the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 along for the ride," said Cristina Aquino, Ford Edge consumer marketing manager.

   On the outside, the Edge Sport will be distinguished from the base model by 20-inch polished aluminum wheels with magnetic low-gloss painted accents, though 21-inch finished in a tarnished dark low-gloss aluminum color will also be on the menu. The Sport model will also be set apart by a more aggressive body kit, while the interior will feature leather-trimmed sport seats with perforated suede inserts, ambient lighting, aluminum pedal covers, and metallic accents. For infotainment, the Edge Sport will offer an 8-inch LCD touchscreen located in the center stack, in addition to two configurable LCD screens located in the instrument cluster. The Edge Sport will also offer a 12-speaker Sony audio system as standard equipment, in addition to twin USB ports and an SD card reader.