The ST we deserve, but not the ST we need.

Seeing the popularity of the crossover market, Ford has apparently decided to work it's ST magic on the Ford Edge. 2.7L EcoBoost with an extra 20hp/30lb-ft over standard, flashy looks, 21" wheels, unique 8-speed auto with full-manual paddle shifters, sportier suspension.

It's an interesting concept in that "Hey, you need a small-ish AWD crossover but don't want a snoozemobile" is a market spot that has been lacking. And with the popularity of crossovers currently, it makes sense that Ford would focus there. But there are other vehicles I would rather see get the ST treatment first. Like, I'm still still waiting on the long-rumored Fusion ST/SHO though (seems unlikely with the Fusion rumored to be getting the axe). Or a Raptor-ized Expedition.

That’s... not what I was expecting when I clicked on the thread.

20hp more? Then again I don’t think the standard ecoboost 2.7 was hurting for power.

dculberson said:

20hp more? Then again I don’t think the standard ecoboost 2.7 was hurting for power.

Yeah, 335hp/380lb-ft in a crossover this size with a properly geared 8-speed auto ought to feel downright jaunty.

I dig it. I don't have any need for something like that, but I could definitely see putting the girlfriend in something similar once she graduates college in a few more semesters. 

Plenty of space for the 3 dogs.

In reply to z31maniac :

It's definitely a good market read by Ford. There are plenty of people out there who have a family or pets and need the room of a crossover, but don't want to be reduced to driving a 4-cylinder Equinox or some other boring crossover. It's a solid compromise

So when do we get the RS version with the 3.5 EB?  Preferably turned up to Raptor power levels...

rslifkin said:

So when do we get the RS version with the 3.5 EB?  Preferably turned up to Raptor power levels...

The second that the Juke R engineers realize their talents are wasted at Nissan and jump ship to Ford.

I want a Ford Expedition SVT Raptor

NickD said:

In reply to z31maniac :

It's definitely a good market read by Ford. There are plenty of people out there who have a family or pets and need the room of a crossover, but don't want to be reduced to driving a 4-cylinder Equinox or some other boring crossover. It's a solid compromise

Yep, we put her in a Honda Fit last August when she sold her house, but that was just a stop gap to get her out of her Smart Car that was literally falling apart. 

Of course she told me the other day she really wants an Audi Q3.

This is novel and unexpected, but what would REALLY get me into a Ford dealer is a ST variant of the upcoming Ranger.

I understand why Ford would do it, but I just don't see enough differentiation from the Edge Sport (315hp, starting at $40k) unless this is replacing the Sport in the lineup. If the Sport model stays for 2018, then this thing really needs 375hp minimum from the 3.5 EcoBoost to make sense. I'm assuming that this model will cost more than the Sport does, which will be a big price jump compared to other ST models. It will be interesting to see how the Market responds. It's definitely not the pointy end of performance crossovers, but I'm not sure that there's any direct competition in the $40-50k, mid-size crossover market. The Durango R/T with 360hp @ $44k might be the next closest competitor, but it seems a bit larger.

In reply to pointofdeparture :

I wouldn't write it off. Ford seems to really have their fingers on the enthusiast pulse lately.

In reply to STM317 :

I'm curious what the differences in suspension, etc. are from the Sport.  Depending on the price difference between Sport and ST, it might be a big enough difference if there are adequate non-power improvements.  

Wow. The 2.7 was definitely not hurting in basic form. I test drove an edge sport w/the 2.7 and it definitely didn't have any problems getting out of its own way lol

rslifkin said:

In reply to STM317 :

I'm curious what the differences in suspension, etc. are from the Sport.  Depending on the price difference between Sport and ST, it might be a big enough difference if there are adequate non-power improvements.  

The other thing that I noticed was that Ford said a "unique 8-speed", so if it has proper performance gearing (more like SVT Raptor or Camaro ZL1 1LE 10-speed, less like Lexus RC-F/LC500 8-speed or Sonic RS 6-speed) a modest power bump might seem even bigger.

THIS is the next car that needs an ST treatment!  I mean, the Fusion Sport has AWD and 325hp, it is pretty killer as is, but with sharpened suspension and transmission tuning, this thing would be epic.  

STM317 said:

I understand why Ford would do it, but I just don't see enough differentiation from the Edge Sport (315hp, starting at $40k) unless this is replacing the Sport in the lineup. If the Sport model stays for 2018, then this thing really needs 375hp minimum from the 3.5 EcoBoost to make sense. I'm assuming that this model will cost more than the Sport does, which will be a big price jump compared to other ST models. It will be interesting to see how the Market responds. It's definitely not the pointy end of performance crossovers, but I'm not sure that there's any direct competition in the $40-50k, mid-size crossover market. The Durango R/T with 360hp @ $44k might be the next closest competitor, but it seems a bit larger.

Yeah, when the rumors came out yesterday, was kind of hoping for Edge to get the ST treatment.  But a mildly worked-over 2.7 is a disappointment.  I was hoping they'd cram the 3.5 into there.  Otherwise, you might as well get the Sport and save a few grand.  The road tests will be interesting to see how the two stack up.  

Since the sporty wagon is seemingly dead in the US market, this is as close as we're gonna get.

In reply to pinchvalve :

I agree. And there has been a Fusion ST/SHO rumored since the first generation but there are recent rumblings that this is the last year for the Fusion. Likely because everyone wants a crossover. Which is why we are getting the Edge ST

Also, ST versions of SUV's are pretty stupid, but when you are killing of the awesome Fiesta ST from lack of sales, what else can you do?  I remember really liking this thing back in the day, so maybe it won't be so bad...unless you are an autocrosser. 

There was a Pontiac GXP version of the Torrent to match. 

We also had the Saturn VUE Redline, with a 250hp Honda motor.  Maybe it this Ford will mark the return of the Hot CUV sub-sub-sub-brand? 

In reply to NickD :

My cynical self would wager that it's got unique calibration, but probably not unique hardware. It seems like most of the changes are software based. The additional power, "sport" mode, unique trans tuning can all be done with cheap software tweaks.  Ford is trying to keep an aging platform relevant in the most cost effective ways possible. The new trans should help in many aspects, but there's not much investment here beyond that. All I see is a grille insert, some badges, different wheels, and different programming. Obviously, there could be some things under the skin like retuned dampers or sway bars but this doesn't seem like a massive undertaking on Ford's part. It seems more like Ford's brass said "We need a sportier image, but we aren't willing to spend very much to make that happen" and this was the result. A few engineers tweaking the low hanging fruit so that they can justify a higher profit margin while this platform ages out. I suppose that's the way profitable car companies have to be these days.

Oooooh, and the Forester XT, that was pretty bitchin.  

Another shot because seriously, why don't they make this in STi versions anymore?!?!?

In reply to STM317 :

It's an all-new transmission. The Edge only has a 6-speed auto. The ST, from what I gather, is the only trim level getting this new 8-speed. And on electronic transmission, a recalibration or tune can make a huge difference in feel (like when you dial out torque management on a GM). But, hey, it's not for you and that's fine. Different strokes for different folks, right? If it was a GM, I would be more concerned, due to GM's history of half-baked "performance" specials (such as the Malibu Maxx SS or the Vue Redline or the Sonic RS) but Ford has been building pretty comprehensive packages lately.