The Ford Edge, briefly sold here as the Endura, is reportedly exiting production in North America but a new generation is being built in China.
The Edge L replaces a stretched, Chinese market-only model of the Edge with a third row of seating called the Edge Plus.
It joins other Chinese exclusives like the Equator, Equator Sport, and Territory SUVs, the high-riding Evos fastback, and the familiar Everest and Explorer. Ford has two joint ventures there, one with JMC and the other with Changan.
As with models like the Evos and new Mondeo, it’s expected to remain exclusive to China. And while it wears the ‘L’ suffix, Ford doesn’t appear to be working on a shorter version.
It measures 5000mm long, 1961mm wide and 1773mm tall on a 2950mm wheelbase, or 122mm longer, 36mm wider, 3mm taller and on a 100mm longer wheelbase than the Edge Plus.
For reference, that makes it 60mm longer and 38mm wider than the new Everest.
Powering the Edge L is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 202kW of power and 405Nm of torque, or a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 185kW and 378Nm.
All-wheel drive is standard, while Ford claims fuel economy as low as 6.31L/100km.
The Edge L features a 2-2-3 seat layout, with reclining, power-adjustable middle-row captain’s chairs with integrated leg rests and wireless charging pads.
As with other recent Ford China products like the Evos and facelifted Explorer, there’s an expansive front screen assembly.
In addition to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, there’s a 27-inch high-definition 4K central screen running the SYNC+2.0 operating system.
Ford claims the Edge L also features up to 20 advanced driver assistance systems.
In terms of design, the Edge L appears lower and more wagon-like than the outgoing Edge Plus, though it looks dramatically different to any other Edge.
The belt line dips down at the doors, only to rise again at the C-pillar and then trail off again towards the D-pillar. An ‘L’ logo sits on the C-pillar.
The bluff front fascia also gives it a familial resemblance to the likes of the Chinese Equator, while the chunky LED tail lights align it with other modern Fords.
Current Edge Plus 
The Edge L could officially be revealed at the Shanghai motor show in April.
Don’t expect it to come to Australia, while it may not even be offered in the North American market as Ford gets ready to retool the outgoing Edge’s Oakville, Ontario factory in Canada to produce EVs.
