By the time the Ford Edge hit the scene in 2007, the midsize crossover market was already full of competitors from practically every automaker. Almost immediately after the Edge’s launch, Ford engineers began working on a special package that could help accentuate the crossover’s unique looks with a sportier flair and improved handling. The result was the Edge Sport that initially debuted at the 2008 Chicago International Auto Show, and after a few modifications to the show car, the 2009 Ford Edge Sport went into production last November. The new Edge Sport now stands as the top of the line Edge model (above the Limited) with a base MSRP of $34,755 and features enough styling and handling upgrades to warrant a “Sport” designation.

Standard Edge models get basic front and rear fascias and side claddings that offer a matte black, two-tone appearance to the vehicle, but the new Edge Sport package adds an eight-piece monochromatic lower body kit for a more aggressive stance. In the front fascia, the chrome fog lamp bezels are replaced by recessed lamps in dark housings, while the rear fascia now has beveled, 3.5-inch chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets in place of the standard 3-inch outlets. The body kit may add attitude, but one of the most talked about additions on the Edge Sport will definitely be the massive new wheels. Replacing the stock 18-inch wheels, the Edge Sport uses 22-inch, five split-spoke polished aluminum wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion PZero 265/40R22 summer rubber. ...

One of the biggest changes that Ford made between the Edge Sport at Chicago and the production model was making the 22-inch wheels standard while the show car came with 20-inch wheels. Ford says that a similarly styled 20-inch wheel may be offered as an option at a later date, but pricing or availability is unknown at this point. Finishing off the Sport’s exterior enhancements, Ford added blacked-out headlamps and taillights to ensure that the only flashy chrome on the outside was the automaker’s signature three-bar grille.

Inside, the Ford Edge Sport’s leather seats get Alcantara inserts which were inspired by the Mustang Cobra. Alcantara is a synthetic suede-like material that offers a sportier look than base Edge models, but allows for easier clean up of spills and messes so it is still a usable family vehicle. Other exclusive aspects of the Edge Sport include contrasted stitching on the seats, steering wheel and shift knob and a unique brushed aluminum bezel for the center stack emblazoned with tiny “Sport” logos. Like any Edge model, the 2009 Edge Sport is available with or without Ford’s two-panel Vista Roof which provides a stunning open air atmosphere for all five occupants. Overall, the 2009 Ford Edge Sport gains more attractive interior appointments without losing the practicality that makes crossovers so popular in the first place.

While the new Sport package definitely adds severe attitude to Ford’s littlest crossover, the engineers wanted to make sure that it also performed better than the lesser Edge models. Although the 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 was left alone, almost everything else pertaining to the drivetrain was adjusted or tweaked for improved handling and performance. Despite being the first crossover to offer factory 22-inch wheels, one of the first things we noticed on out test drive is how smooth the ride is. To provide the surprisingly smooth ride as well as improving the vehicle’s overall handling, Ford developed a specific sport-tuned suspension that includes upgraded shocks, springs and stabilizer bars and additional undercarriage bracing. Not that the new Edge Sport is suddenly a track car, but the transformation from an everyday crossover to the eye-catching, curve hugging Edge Sport is impressive. To handle the bigger wheels and tires, the Edge Sport’s braking system was upgraded which helped improve the stopping distance of the 4,078-pound Edge from 150 feet down to just 125 feet. The final adjustment made to the Edge’s drivetrain was a slight tweak in the transmission’s final gear ratio. Borrowed from its sister car, the Lincoln MKX, the 2009 Ford Edge Sport gets higher final gear ratios for improved acceleration (3.16 for front-wheel drive Sport and 3.39 for all-wheel drive Sport compared to 2.77 for front-wheel drive and 3.16 for all-wheel drive).

Although the 2009 Ford Edge Sport has been on sale for six months already in limited numbers, Ford showed off four examples of the newest Edge to a group of journalists in Miami, Fla. A Ford representative said that the reason for the limited numbers is the added time it takes to install the body kit. All of the Edge Sport add-ons are installed at the factory, not the dealership, which improves the overall styling of the vehicle as well as improving the consistency and quality of the kit’s installation.