New Edge
Encyclopedia
New Edge was a styling theme used by Ford Motor Company
for many of its passenger vehicles in the late 1990s and early 2000s and initially authored by Jack Telnack
, who served as Vice President of Design for Ford from 1980 to 1997. Under Telnack's oversight, New Edge was implemented by other Ford designers, including Claude Lobo
and Australian, John Doughty.
New Edge distinctively combined intersecting arcs and other features, creating "surface tension by adding creases to soft aerodynamic shapes." Describing the 2000 Ford Focus's implementation of the styling theme, New York Times writer Michelle Krebs said the Focus "features crisp lines and taut surfaces. The Focus won't be mistaken for anything else on the road. I found more people liked its look than hated it, and few were indifferent." Reputedly, New Edge design saved production time, the edges themselves ostensibly making the panels much easier to align.
After the international Ford Focus had won the prestigious European Car of the Year
(1999), William Diem of the New York Times wrote, "To some extent, the prize vindicates Ford's risky design for the Focus, especially the New Edge styling -- a combination of straight lines, curves and planes."
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The first car to feature New Edge was the Ford Ka
, released on September 11, 1996; and followed by the revised Mondeo
in 1996, the Puma
in 1997, the Focus in 1998, and the Cougar. The Ford Fiesta
received a facelift incorporating a New Edge front end in 1999. Although Ford did not release any further New Edge designs, notable New Edge features continued on Ford of Europe models; namely the trapezoidal grille and large, extended wheel arches.
's 1999 facelift of the 4th generation pony car
(1994–2004). New Edge elements were also used on their other more conventional vehicles, like the Ford Taurus
, Ford Windstar
, and Ford Explorer
, which were all redesigned at the turn of the century.
employed New Edge with the Falcon
for its "AU" model, which was first released in 1998. Ford chose a bold direction for the Falcon's design. The experiment did not prove successful, however, as the Australian public largely rejected the design. It consisted of drooping headlamps and taillights, with sharp angles employed incongruously to rounded surfaces. The wheel wells bulged to the point where any size of wheel appeared too small for the car. Even the flagship models, the XR8 and Fairmont Ghia
could not in any way make the most of the design; while some car designs could be considered "ahead of their time", the AU Falcon, 12 years after its initial release, remains a design that the beholder finds difficult to resolve. Ford gave the Falcon an extensive exterior upgrade, as well as mechanical upgrade in 2002. The upgrade has since been lauded by the press and performed well in the market. The 2002 exterior refresh served as the basis of the Falcon's design from then through to 2008.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
for many of its passenger vehicles in the late 1990s and early 2000s and initially authored by Jack Telnack
Jack Telnack
Jack Telnack was the former global Vice President of Design of the Ford Motor Company from 1980 to 1997. After his training at the Art Center College of Design, Telnack began working as a designer for Ford in 1958, and became the head stylist of the Lincoln-Mercury Division in 1965...
, who served as Vice President of Design for Ford from 1980 to 1997. Under Telnack's oversight, New Edge was implemented by other Ford designers, including Claude Lobo
Claude Lobo
Claude Lobo served in various design positions at Ford Motor Company over 32 years, playing a prominent role in designing Ford automobiles including the Ford Capri , Mercury Cougar , Ford Ka...
and Australian, John Doughty.
New Edge distinctively combined intersecting arcs and other features, creating "surface tension by adding creases to soft aerodynamic shapes." Describing the 2000 Ford Focus's implementation of the styling theme, New York Times writer Michelle Krebs said the Focus "features crisp lines and taut surfaces. The Focus won't be mistaken for anything else on the road. I found more people liked its look than hated it, and few were indifferent." Reputedly, New Edge design saved production time, the edges themselves ostensibly making the panels much easier to align.
After the international Ford Focus had won the prestigious European Car of the Year
European Car of the Year
The European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar , Autopista , Autovisie , L'Automobile Magazine , Stern and Vi Bilägare .The voting jury consists of motoring...
(1999), William Diem of the New York Times wrote, "To some extent, the prize vindicates Ford's risky design for the Focus, especially the New Edge styling -- a combination of straight lines, curves and planes."
Europe
Ford Ka
The Ford Ka is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere.The current European version is produced by Fiat Auto in Tychy, Poland, while the model sold in Latin America is built in Brazil and Argentina....
, released on September 11, 1996; and followed by the revised Mondeo
Ford Mondeo
The Mondeo was launched on 8 January 1993, and sales began on 22 March 1993. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk...
in 1996, the Puma
Ford Puma
The Ford Puma was a small sports coupé produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1997 to 2001 http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/owners-reviews/search.aspx?range=438#fuel=P&Body=Coupe&transmission=M, for sale in Europe...
in 1997, the Focus in 1998, and the Cougar. The Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
received a facelift incorporating a New Edge front end in 1999. Although Ford did not release any further New Edge designs, notable New Edge features continued on Ford of Europe models; namely the trapezoidal grille and large, extended wheel arches.
North America
In North America, New Edge was prominently employed with the Ford Focus, the eighth-generation Mercury Cougar, and the Ford MustangFord Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
's 1999 facelift of the 4th generation pony car
Pony car
Pony car is an American class of automobile launched and inspired by the Ford Mustang in 1964. The term describes an affordable, compact, highly styled car with a sporty or performance-oriented image.-Origins of the breed:...
(1994–2004). New Edge elements were also used on their other more conventional vehicles, like the Ford Taurus
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
, Ford Windstar
Ford Windstar
The Ford Windstar is a minivan that was produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company from the 1995 to 2003 model years. This front-wheel drive minivan was the second minivan designed by the company, serving as a replacement for the rear-wheel drive Aerostar minivan. The two were sold concurrently...
, and Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a sport-utility vehicle sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois...
, which were all redesigned at the turn of the century.
Australia
Ford AustraliaFord Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
employed New Edge with the Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
for its "AU" model, which was first released in 1998. Ford chose a bold direction for the Falcon's design. The experiment did not prove successful, however, as the Australian public largely rejected the design. It consisted of drooping headlamps and taillights, with sharp angles employed incongruously to rounded surfaces. The wheel wells bulged to the point where any size of wheel appeared too small for the car. Even the flagship models, the XR8 and Fairmont Ghia
Ford Fairmont
The Ford Fairmont is a compact car produced by Ford Motor Company for the North American market. Introduced for the 1978 model year, the Fairmont was produced in several bodystyles until it was replaced by the Ford Tempo for the 1984 model year...
could not in any way make the most of the design; while some car designs could be considered "ahead of their time", the AU Falcon, 12 years after its initial release, remains a design that the beholder finds difficult to resolve. Ford gave the Falcon an extensive exterior upgrade, as well as mechanical upgrade in 2002. The upgrade has since been lauded by the press and performed well in the market. The 2002 exterior refresh served as the basis of the Falcon's design from then through to 2008.