Ford is to debut its Edge model in European-specification at this week's Frankfurt motor show.

The Edge will join the Ford Kuga medium-sized SUV and EcoSport compact SUV to meet the demands of growing numbers of SUV customers in Europe. Ford expects to sell 200,000 SUVs in Europe in 2016 – a 200 per cent increase compared to 2013.

The company confirming availability of 180hp 2.0 TDCi and bi-turbo 210hp 2.0 TDCi variants for the UK.

It will be available in Zetec and Titanium equipment grades and become the company’s flagship 4x4 in Europe.

Ford says all-wheel drive will be standard in the Edge, while the higher power variant will be fitted with a six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic, emphasising the car’s premium position in the range.

“Spacious, refined and with athletic design, the all-new Ford Edge also delivers strong fuel efficiency and low CO2 supported by our most advanced diesel engines, Auto-Start-Stop and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive technology,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.

“Consumer appetites for SUV and all-wheel drive vehicles like our new Edge are so strong that we plan to introduce five new vehicles in the next three years that will compete in the SUV and crossover space.”

Both powertrains will deliver up to 78.4mpg fuel efficiency and 149g/km CO2 supported by Auto-Start-Stop technology.

Ford technologies available include Adaptive Steering, which automatically optimises the steering response according to vehicle speed, making it easy to manoeuvre at low speeds, while remaining precise and intuitive at higher speeds; and Front Split View Camera, which makes restricted visibility junctions or parking spaces easier to negotiate.