(NEW CAR) Stateside Ford Fans Get Fat Focus For Farms...

Okay, the title takes some liberties in the name of alliterative licence, but that's what this new US soft-roader looks like to us.

The Ford Edge, as it's to be called, goes on sale in showrooms across the pond next month - and apparently, we're not to call it an SUV. Oh no. It's a CUV, a whole new type of vehicle category that's yet to wing its way to European shores - though it won't be long.

We had several guesses as to what the 'C' might stand for. All of them vile. But in truth it just means Crossover. Basically its a Nissan Murano-alike, a baby Range Rover sport, or an Audi A6 Allroad on steroids.

Genre-bending aside then, this is an important car for Ford US. In the land of soccer moms and vast frontiers, off-roaders, or things that look vaguely like them, are big business - and Ford needs sales.

So what does the Edge bring to the party? Well a 3.5 litre V6 for one, kicking out 265bhp through a 6-speed gearbox.

Being American, the twin 20-ounce cupholders feature prominently in the launch material (that's 1.25 pints each, measurement fans) as does the optional, sliding full-length glass 'vista' roof.

Available with 'intelligent' AWD (that's a 4wd system that can discuss Descartes and enjoys fine wines, by the way) and DVD-based sat nav our lucky Yankee cousins can get their mits on what we have to admit is a tasty looking motor for just $29,000. That's about 15 and a half grand in real money, or £3k less than a new Land Rover Freelander.

Jammy gits.