Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company executive vice president and president Europe, Middle East and Africa, said the carmaker is investing heavily in areas that will drive the Ford brand forwards in Europe, including SUVs, and Vignale, as well as sport models.

He added. “Ford will have the broadest possible line-up to provide solutions for every customer from mass to niche.”

Based on the Mondeo platform, the new Edge which goes into production for Europe at the end of 2015 and will sit above the midsize Kuga and compact EcoSport in the Ford line-up.

Shown at Geneva in Sport trim, the Edge will debut new technologies, including Ford Adaptive Steering, Active Noise Cancellation and Front Split View Camera, which makes restricted visibility junctions or parking spaces easier to negotiate.

The model is said to be aimed at “people who want to look good, and have fun, behind the wheel”. Design features include a high-gloss grille and window pillars, colour-coded bumpers, exterior door-cladding, door mirrors and door handles, sports-inspired skid plate and rear diffuser element, twin rectangular exhausts and 20-inch alloys.

At Geneva, Ford also unveiled the 2015 EcoSport SUV, which gains styling, drive dynamics, and equipment upgrades for 2015 and goes on sale this summer.

The biggest visual exterior change is the option to specify the vehicle without the rear-mounted spare wheel – these models will also come with a wider opening rear swing-gate. Meanwhile the inside has been revised with a restyled instrument cluster with chrome surround, light dimming function, and chrome tips for window switches.

Handling also benefits from suspension retuning with revised rear twist beam, and revised spring and damper rates for chassis optimisation, a 10mm reduction in ride height and optimised Electronic Stability Control and power steering systems.

Equipment has also been revised with new options including satnav technology and Rear View Camera plus a Winter Pack with heated windscreen, heated mirrors and heated front seats.

And Ford is also now offering a more sporty EcoSport S, which comes in a bespoke Deep Impact Blue colour and also features a black roof without roof rails, mirror caps and unique 17-inch alloy wheels. Further exterior upgrades will include a sporty rear diffuser element and privacy glass. The EcoSport S will also offer a significant dynamics upgrade – with revisions to springs, dampers, spring aids, steering gear, rear axle twist beam, Electronic Stability Programme settings and steering assistance profiles – plus gearbox revisions to enhance available torque.

“Ford EcoSport is already popular with customers in Europe who are looking for a flexible, stylish, and economical compact SUV,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “This range of enhancements – including an EcoSport that is now available without the rear-mounted wheel – makes EcoSport an even more compelling choice as part of our growing SUV range.”