To say the least, Ford has changed with the times, and that has helped it stay successful. Moving on from hot hatches, the automaker now sees the potential for combining performance with crossovers. Vehicles like the Edge ST can be given some more steroids and bump up that power to give the customers a crossover that can rip the roads. Interesting, right?

Edge ST needs To Hit The Gym To Become Edge RS

The new Edge ST is quite a powerful crossover but has the scope to become even more powerful. The new Edge ST features a 2.7-liter, V-6 EcoBoost engine that produces 335 horses and 380 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

What They Had To Say

While speaking to Motor Trend about opportunities the brand can explore in performance segment, Ford Performance’s Chief Functional Engineer, Ed Krenz, said, "We'd be able to create kind of that segment of non-premium, ultra-high-performance SUVs. What would we like it to be? That could be done through even more aggressive tires, more aggressive suspension setup, active dampers, torque vectoring".

So, Automakers Do Listen To Us Stick-Shift Enthusiasts

Krenz also stressed on the fact that automatic transmissions are not the only option "I think there is definitely a manual transmission enthusiasts group," he said. "It's something on a Mustang product that we refused to walk away from, the manual transmission. You know, the Fiesta and Focus STs traditionally have had that capability. I think we're gonna learn a little bit, whether or not this segment really requires that."

When speaking about “fast cars,” people can only connect to sedans or hatchbacks. We might soon see crossovers occupy that area. What’s intriguing is that even though the Edge RS is just a thought, Krenz has it all figured out what it will be like in reality. Krenz has an idea of what that ‘thought’ would be like. Imagine crossovers, with their high stance and ruggedness, burning rubber on the tarmac at such enormous speeds. It will be one hell of a sight.

Who Will Buy Your Fast Crossover, Ford?

Motor Trend asked Krenz who will be the target market for a performance-crossover, and he replied, “I would say there are absolutely two people on the wall. The first person on the wall might look like somebody that has a family or a lifestyle that requires utility and capability. And up to this point that person has had to sacrifice the performance driving capability at an affordable level. That's certainly one target. Somebody that maybe previously wouldn't have considered a Focus or Fiesta ST because it just wasn't consistent with their lifestyle. The second target is our Focus and Fiesta ST customer. And I met with a group of them this morning, social media influencers, and the goal of that discussion is really to allow them to ask questions around, "Why is the Edge ST an appropriate alternative from a Focus ST?" And I go back to, it's the same DNA, it's engineered to the same standards, and I think there's gonna be a wide acceptance of our ST enthusiasts into these new products.”

Conclusion

The Edge ST itself produces over 300 horses and is doing alright on the market now; given the sort of genre it is in. Perhaps, these numbers were more than enough to show the Blue Oval that an even faster crossover might also sell. The present Ford Edge ST starts at $42,400, but with every add-on and option, it could cost around $55,000. If given a choice, would you buy a hot hatch, a fast sedan, or the best of both the worlds with its own share of cons as well - a speedy crossover? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Edge.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Edge ST.