A while ago, it was rumored that Ford->ke31 would unveil the 2015 Edge at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211. Well, that was only partially true, as the company only brought a concept version of the vehicle, with the production version set to arrive in the upcoming months.

According to Ford, the new Edge ->ke409 concept is not just a design exercise as it offers "strong hints at the technology, dynamic design and premium craftsmanship that will define the company’s next global utility vehicles."

The concept is defined by a new design language and an updated interior, plus it comes loaded with lots of advanced, automated driving technologies, including self-parking and obstacle avoidance systems, which are currently under development by Ford. According to the first details offered by the company, these technologies preview "a future of semi- and fully autonomous driving options, delivering tomorrow’s technology today."

Click past the jump to read more about the 2013 Ford Edge Concept.

2013 Ford Edge Concept

Specifications
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  • Model: 2013 Ford Edge Concept
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new Edge Concept takes the crossover design language a step forward. It feature a fluid and athletic design language, highlighted by a D-pillar line that comes down the rail, takes a jog and returns. The concept also features strong shoulders and a three-bar grille connected to the new LED headlamps.

Ford designed the concept for fuel efficiency, so the grille is equipped with Active Grille Shutters that automatically open and close to maintain ideal engine operating temperature and maximize aerodynamic efficiency. There are also special air curtains that will guide air from the front of the vehicle, out through the front wheel wells and down the vehicle side.

The concept is painted in a very nice Copper Flame hue combined with chrome elements on the turn signals, plus headlights and taillights that light up in complete white.

Grille Detail

Tailpipe Detail

Taillight Graphic

Interior

The interior features a very nice combination of premium black Nubuck used for the instrument panel, center console and door elements. The black is highlighted by copper accents on the carpet, instrument panel and other areas of the concept.

The concept offers lots of premium elements, like a leather-wrapped and hand-stitched instrument panel, 10-inch touchscreen center display with MyFord Touch, dynamic center stack with premium mechanical switchgear, bright work on the armrest, door-release bezel and air registers, floating binnacle top, and scuff plates with bright silver finish, matte black paint and LED-lit “Edge”

New Technology Features

The new Edge Concept comes with self-parking technologies that will allow the driver to park the vehicles at the touch of a button. This feature uses ultrasonic sensors to find a perpendicular parking space; the drive activates the system at the push of a button and waits as the SUV parks itself.

Other technologies offered in the concept:

- Active park assist, which can ease the stress of parallel parking by using sensors and the steering system to guide a vehicle into a parking spot; the driver controls the gas and brake pedals. Available on 12 Ford models today

- Lane-Keeping System, which uses a forward-facing camera that can scan the road surface for lane markings. The system can evaluate if the vehicle is drifting out of its lane and then alert the driver by vibrating the steering wheel. If the driver does not respond to the vibrations, the system provides steering torque to nudge the vehicle back toward the center of the lane. Available on 11 Ford models today

- Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, which uses radar to detect moving vehicles immediately ahead, and can modify cruising speed if necessary. Available on 10 Ford models today

- Blind Spot Information System, which uses radar sensors in the rear corners that monitor the spaces next to and just behind the vehicle. On the road, these sensors trigger a warning light in the mirror when there is another vehicle in the driver’s blind spot. Available on 13 Ford models today

Drivetrain

Ford offered no details on the engine used in the concept, but it did said we are talking about the latest generation EcoBoost versions.

When can I drive one?

The new Edge concept previews the next-generation Edge, which is set to arrive on the market just in time for the 2015 model year.

Competition

Kia Sorento

The 2014 Sorento is offered with a choice of two engine options: a 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm, and a 3.3-liter GDI V-6 engine that packs 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and a stout 250 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm.

The Sorento is priced from $24,100.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee rolls into 2014 mostly unchanged, but it did gain a new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine that produces 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The standard engine remains the 3.6-liter, Pentastar V-6 that puts out 290 horsepower, and the range topper is the 5.7-liter, HEMI V-8 that develops 360 ponies.

The Grand Cherokee starts at $28,795 and ranges to $50,995 for the Summit 4x4 model.

Conclusion

The new Edge Concept is a nice step forward for the Edge lineup and we can only hope that the production version will remain faithful to the concept. Of course, we know that upgrading the production version with all the technologies previewed in the concept will raise the SUV's price considerably, but it is nice to know what to expect from Ford.