Artificial Intelligence Would Help Improve Fuel Consumption for the 2019 Ford Edge
Next month, we’ll be in Utah to test drive the updated 2019 Ford Edge, as well as the all-new Ford Edge ST, the high-performance version of that nameplate. Until we drive it, we’d like to share with you a bit of information that was sent to us by Ford Canada through a press release.
According to the carmaker, artificial intelligence will help improve the 2019 Edge’s fuel consumption. Ok, now we’re intrigued.
A New Brain that Understands Everything
This new and advanced system actually manages the vehicle’s all-wheel drive system, allowing the Ford Edge to disconnect its rear wheels in order to save fuel.
Such a system isn’t new, as it already exists in other all-wheel-drive vehicles such as the Honda CR-V and the Cadillac XT4, but these systems are activated by pressing a button (XT4) or when the system detects front-wheel slippage (CR-V).
In the Edge, the system works a bit differently, analyzing road conditions, temperature and driving style. It then adapts in real time by activating the all-wheel drive system when needed. If the system considers that there is no need to send power to the rear wheels, the Edge automatically defaults back to front-wheel drive, allowing it, according to Ford, to lose a few tents of L/100 km.
Of course, the new Edge will still utilize a conventional torque sensing system, allowing it to automatically kick into all-wheel drive as soon as wheel slippage is detected.
Furthermore, the 2019 Ford Edge will come fitted with an active transmission warm-up system, as well as a fuel cut-off system during decelerations, and an exhaust-gas recirculation system, again, all in the name of fuel economy.
All of it sounds nice and dandy on paper, but the real test will have to be done on the road when we’ll drive the thing next month.
