The 2011 Ford Edge Sport Brings Vehicles Into The Computer Age

It’s very apparent within seconds of sitting in the 2011 Ford Edge Sport that it’s different. It feels like the future. There are two LCD
screens flanking a lovely analog speedometer, flush mounted
inductive-type controls on the center stack and of course, a large
infotainment screen. It’s like a car from the future! (It’s not)

Inside is the latest generation of Ford’s in-vehicle system. Dubbed MyFord Touch, it’s reach and capabilities are unlike nearly anything
else in the same price range. But this system isn’t just stuck in the
center stack, tasked with the job of controlling the climate and radio.
The MyFord Touch is also in the dash cluster in the form of two LCD
screens. This is where it gets interesting and validates its place in
Ford’s future.

The center-placed 8-inch infotainment screen is just about what you’d expect with controls for media, climate, and connected phone. It’s
pretty standard stuff.

The system offers a very robust control panel. There’s a lot of stuff in there. It supports everything from
streaming audio over Bluetooth, local file playback from a USB drive or
SD card, and text messages can even be read aloud. The entire vehicle
can even be turned into a hotspot off of your Bluetooth connected
phone’s data connection.

However, the interface is a bit overwhelming. There’s quite a bit much happening on each screen. I’d venture to say it’s not for everyone.
Smartphone users will be fine. It’s those folks that can’t handle
anything more than a RAZR that should probably not opt for the $1000
option.

The best part of the entire vehicle isn’t the 8-inch screen. Nope, it’s the two LCD screens on either side of the large speedo. The one on
the right relates to media info, climate control, and connected phone
options. The left side however relates to the vehicle itself and is
totally configurable. It can display live fuel economy, AWD status, a
tach with a thermometer – nearly anything a driver would want.

Both screens are controlled via their own directional pad on the steering wheel. It’s a simple and easy control scheme that’s really not
that distracting. Unlike the center 8-inch screen, there’s zero lag with
this system as it should be. These two screens are a lot like what we
expected the 2010 Range Rover Supercharged
to be like. That truck offered a full LCD for the gauge cluster,
however, it isn’t utilized. There is so much more info and options with
the MyFord Touch system. Strange seeing how there’s a $60k price gap
between the two.

I love the system in the 2011 Ford Edge Sport. The capabilities far outweigh the laggy interface. However, I can see people finding the
systems too much or never utilize them at all. That’s fine, the systems
don’t come standard anyway. But Ford together with Microsoft are clearly
taking in-vehicle systems into the computer age. Finally.

Via CrunchGear