Ford's new 3.5L V6 due to debut in the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX and MKS has been rated at 265 hp and 250 lb ft of torque, finally a piece of good news from the Blue Oval. That equals or beats many competitors and gives Ford the opportunity to address a common complaint, lack of power in V6 models.
While the Edge, MKX + MKS will get it first, the engine should spread out to other FoMoCo models. And it's about time. The 3.0L V6 rated at around 207 hp just doesn't compete with GM, Nissan, Honda or even Hyundai. 
The additional power and upcoming styling changes may help the image of the dull 500. And that's a good thing. The 500 is a nice car, it just has no major appeal, other than it's value. It's a great chassis, and the interior is very nice, but 265 hp and the new Fusionesqe grill will hopefully give it the shot in the arm it needs.
But will the new 3.5L V6 with it's 265 hp ever make it into the Mustang? I know from reading JWFisher's blog months ago, that there had been versions suitable for a rear wheel drive platform, but 265 could be too close to the 4.6L V8's modest 300 hp. Ford needs to squeeze a couple of more ponies out of the V8 and put the new V6 in the Mustang pronto!
To add to the news...
ReplyDeleteFord announced several times the D35 was build ground up t oaccept Direct Injection and Turbocharged Direct Injection... imagine the possible improvements in power/performance and efficiency with these technologies at tap.
Igor
Oh and I forgot to reaffirm the article's question - the engine is applicable for RWD ...
ReplyDeleteBut yeah that does not really answer whether it will make it to Mustang...
BTW it might in next get... it is supposed to come in 2009 or so
Igor
dont you think a 120 degree V6 would be a little wide, imagine the packaging difficulties, the 3.5L duratec was designed to be able to fit anywhere the old 3.0L would fit
ReplyDeleteasd
any chance this motor will be shared with future Mazda 6 models.
ReplyDeleteBobZoom
Bob Zoom, yes this motor will be in the 2008 Mazda6, and interestingly enough the Edmunds report with spy photos says it's going to be rated at 250 hp, not 265 hp. But I'm sure that's just an overstight. I can't imagine that Mazda would put in a lower rated V6 than FoMoCo, after all they were able to squeeze an additional 15 hp out of the old 3.0 for their vehicles, to get 221 hp.
ReplyDeleteThe 3.5 DOHC V6 will eventually be found everything the 3.0 was. Initially though only in Lincoln MKz, MKx, Ford Edge and Mazda CX9.