Though it may be closed to the general public, the SEMA Show in Las Vegas has become a major showcase for the auto industry, mainstream and luxury manufacturers frequently using the annual event to reveal some of their more extreme concept vehicles.
Ford, for one, will be there in force this year, showing off more than 50 different vehicles – including three distinctive takes on its popular Edge crossover, as well as some distinctively modified versions of the 2016 Ford Explorer Sport.
They range from modest styling updates to some seriously bad-ass performance packages developed by Ford and some of the market’s hottest aftermarket parts companies and tuners.
In the latter category is the Ford Edge Ignition, which gets a dynamic red and black paint job, and enough power upgrades to make you wonder how the spirit of a Mustang GT crept into the engine block of your Edge Sport.
The engine has been thoroughly reworked with new components from the likes of Webasto and JMS, along with a K&N air filter and MRT exhaust. It also gets H&R springs and Rotora aluminum brakes with ceramic pads.
Performance under the body gets complemented by a boat-load of carbon-fiber accessories that enhance the aggressive look and save a little on weight. Ignition also gets an enlarged lower grille, tinted glass, 22-inch monoblock wheels with Toyo Proxes rubber, a new sunroof and a leather interior to complete the look.
The second of three Edge concepts is the Tjin Edition Edge. Swaddled in an Axalta Clipper blue paint job, the Tjin boasts new headlights, 22-inch modular wheels with Falken tires, air suspension, Baer brakes, a new intercooler, custom exhaust, and a refitted interior.
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Giving a cutting-edge look isn’t enough. Helping it act the way it looks is a unique fabrication front mount intercooler, a Motiv down-pipe, Magnaflow exhaust, Air Lift air suspension and Performance 3H air management, Viair 380c compressors and Baer 6S front and rear big brakes.
The retrofitted interior includes Custom Alea Leather CT interior, plus it also gets Scosche magic mounts, Safety F1rst brake lights and Thule bags and accessories to let you carry whatever you want wherever you want to go.
The last of the three Edges is the Vaccar edition, clad in orange, which Ford calls the new silver, its loaded with amenities, “power for the road, and modern fashion,” the maker claims. With bespoke brushed finishes and flat metallic textures the Vaccar features an aggressive wheel-tire fitment that is precisely stanced via an advanced air suspension.
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The exterior look is achieved with Vaccar Futura Flat Silver Metallic custom BASF Glasurit paint as well as Vaccar Brushed Metal custom BASF Glasurit paint partial two-tone and orange accents with the work done by Canfield Customs.
If looks like it’ll go, it should sound like it too. With Vaccar prototype true-dual exhaust system, Vaccar prototype twin tube intake kit, K&N Filters high performance chrome air filters and Flowmaster HP-2 mufflers and stainless steel piping that shouldn’t be a problem.
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On the inside, the Vaccar edition Edge gets company’s Master Garage custom “floating” air system display, a prototype center-dash triple gauge pod, plus Auto Meter American Muscle boost, water temperature and volt meter gauges and Alea Leather’s complete custom upholstery set.
Ford U.S. is now catering to young people and young families who desire a sporty, fun and even relatively quick practical daily driver vehicle for a reasonable price. It’s actually a concept that originated in Europe where small cars are the norm due to costs of vehicles, taxes based on engine displacement, fuel consumption due to $6+/gal. costs, etc.