Ford's popular midsize crossover, the Edge, gets a gentle makeover for 2011, along with more power, better fuel economy and the addition of the new MyFord Touch 'driver connect' technology. Although there have been several key exterior design changes -- what Ford calls a 'dramatic freshening' -- the Edge's overall appearance remains the same, and it returns for the new model year on the same chassis as before. Prices range from $27,220 (plus $775 freight) for the base SE front-wheel-drive model to $38,070 for the top-of-the-line Sport model with all-wheel drive. The Sport with front-wheel drive starts at $36,220. The SE is not available with all-wheel drive. In between, the SEL model begins at $30,220 with front drive and $32,070 with all-wheel drive; the Limited is $34,220 with front drive and $36,070 with all-wheel drive. Under the hood, three new engines and two new transmissions will be available, including two V-6s that use Ford's advanced valvetrain technology to help improve performance and fuel economy at the same time. The base 3.5-liter V-6 produces 285 horsepower and 253 foot-pounds of torque, up from 265 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds for the 2010 model. EPA ratings for this engine in the front-drive SEL and Limited models with the SelectShift six-speed automatic transmission are 19 mpg city/27 highway, up from 18/25 in the previous model. With the base SE model, the ratings are 19/26; it comes with a six-speed automatic that doesn't have the manual-shift feature. All-wheel-drive models of the SEL and Limited have EPA ratings of 18 city/25 highway. Sport models come with a new 3.7-liter V-6, rated at 305 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque. With front drive, the mileage is 18/25, and with all-wheel drive 17/23. Standard is a six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Coming later is a third engine choice -- Ford's new EcoBoost, turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. No specifications have been released yet for that engine in the Edge, but in the 2011 Ford Explorer, it's rated at 237 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque. Fuel-economy estimates have not been announced yet for the four-cylinder engine in either vehicle. But Ford did say that the turbo four will have fuel economy that's about 10 percent better than that of a V-6 with comparable power. During a recent media introduction program for the Edge, Ford said that since the vehicle's launch in model year 2007, more than 400,000 have been delivered, making it the best-selling vehicle in its segment. The 2011 model isn't a complete redesign but what automakers call a 'midcycle refreshening,' designed to keep a vehicle up-to-date on design, performance and technology before its next scheduled total makeover. Among other new features are standard 18-inch wheels and tires on the SEL and Limited models. Optional on the Limited are 20-inch wheels. Ford said the 18-inch wheels are a half-inch wider for better stability and improved steering. Sport models come with 22-inch wheels, the largest in the class. That model also comes with a special sport suspension. All Edge models get new suspension systems with the redesign, including shocks, springs and stabilizer bars designed to enhance road handling. The vehicles also get new four-wheel disc brakes, with upgraded steel pistons and larger rear rotors. Antilock is standard, along with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. Ford says these changes give the driver more confidence when applying the brakes. Other new features include hill-start assist, which holds the vehicle briefly while the driver's foot moves from the brake to accelerator pedal. Optional is trailer sway control, designed to help keep a trailer under control. The Edge SE, SEL and Limited models can tow trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds; the Sport can handle trailers up to 2,000 pounds. Outside, there is a new grille and chin spoiler, among other subtle design changes. The Sport model has polished-aluminum wheels with 'tuxedo black' spokes and grille, unique headlights and taillights, body-color rocker-panel moldings and oval chrome dual exhaust tips. Inside, the Sport model comes with 'liquid silver smoke' trim, including inserts in the leather seats; aluminum pedals; and paddle shifters for the automatic transmission. During the Edge media program, Ford put the most emphasis on the new MyFord Touch system, which is an enhancement of the previously introduced Sync voice-activated infotainment system that was developed in partnership with Microsoft. The new system replaces the traditional 'buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, crisp LCD screens and five-way controls like those found on cell phones and MP3 players,' Ford said. It can be operated with voice commands, and its vocabulary has been expanded dramatically so that commands for specific functions can be spoken in several different ways and the system still will understand. MyFord Touch uses two 4.2-inch color LCD screens, one on each side of the large analog speedometer, and an 8-inch LCD at the top of the center instrument stack. A five-way switch is mounted on each side of the steering wheel to control various functions of the system. Production of the 2011 Edge already has begun at Ford's Oakville plant in Ontario, Canada, and the vehicles are now on their way to dealers. 