The 2011 Ford Edge now offers the best-in-class fuel economy based on the EPA-estimated 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (front-wheel drive).

The new Edge is now 1 mpg better city and 2 mpg better highway - with even greater power. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 285 horsepower, best-in-class among V6 competitors and 20 more horsepower than the outgoing Edge.

"Providing class-leading fuel economy and power are two of many examples of the improved attributes customers will find in the 2011 Edge," said Elaine Bannon, Edge chief engineer. "The new Edge demonstrates how a refresh at Ford is much more than just a few tweaks. It's reworking all the elements, adding more content and improving the look and feel of the vehicle."

The 2011 Ford Edge SEL and Limited accounted for about 80 percent of all Edge sales.

2011 Ford Edge vs. the Competition (all models FWD)*

*All numbers EPA-estimated, V6 engines. Best-in-class numbers in bold

How 2011 Edge earned fuel economy leadership
Advanced engine technology, clever control strategies and a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission combined to create a powertrain that efficiently produces increased levels of power and performance with improved fuel economy.

"The key to the performance gains and fuel economy with the 2011 Ford Edge is that we don't look at power and fuel economy as being mutually exclusive," said Mazen Hammoud, Edge Powertrain Calibrations manager. "Instead, we focus on optimizing every component, every system and every control in the powertrain for greater overall efficiency, enabling increased power and better performance."

Here are some of the key reasons behind the 2011 Edge's class-leading power and fuel economy:

• Advanced technology: New for 2011 is twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), which allows on-the-fly adjustment to the engine's airflow for maximum efficiency. This leads to better fuel economy - approximately a 3 to 4 percent improvement from this strategy alone.

• New engine hardware: The 3.5-liter V6 for 2011 Edge adds piston-cooling jets and polished valvetrain buckets and combines them with an improved intake manifold and cylinder head with increased port flow to optimize the system as a whole. The piston-cooling jets spray oil on the underside of the pistons and enable faster oil warm-up and a higher compression ratio. The polished valvetrain buckets reduce friction, which in turn aids fuel economy and also improves durability (wear) of the cam and bucket tappet. The improved intake manifold and cylinder head optimizes engine airflow.

• Lower idle speed: Engine idle speed was reduced from 620 to 600 rpm to save fuel.

• Aerodynamic optimizations: Underbody shielding and tire spoilers were added to help create a more efficient aerodynamic shape. Also, the grille openings were optimized to reduce excess airflow to the engine compartment, thus reducing drag.

• Fuel shutoff: The 2011 Edge employs an aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff control system, which shuts off the engine when the customer doesn't command engine torque - such as decelerating at freeway speeds.

• Battery management system: The new Edge also uses smart charging. Normally the alternator continuously charges the battery, which wastes energy. Smart charging increases the alternator output when braking or decelerating, converting the vehicle's motion energy into electric energy without using additional fuel. The recovered energy then goes to recharge the battery so that it can be used later.

• Electrical load shedding: This new feature shuts off devices if they are left on with the key in the accessory position. This saves battery life and keeps the battery from going dead, aiding reliable starts.

• Reliable starts: The one-touch starting in the 2011 Edge enables starts of around seven-tenths of a second with precise fuel delivery for maximum fuel economy and minimal emissions.

• New tires: Both the 2011 Edge SEL and Edge Limited add next-generation 18-inch tires. Just as the new powertrain produces increased power and better fuel economy, the new tires have been engineered to provide better performance and grip while also increasing fuel economy through improved construction and compound.

Ford improved in fuel economy more than any major automaker between 2004 and 2009, according to the EPA. The government agency rates Ford's combined car and truck fuel economy improvement at nearly 20 percent, almost double the next closest competitor.