Ford Powertrains in future
Along with a bunch of new vehicles, the Ford Motor Company is also planning to roll out a what it calls ''an unprecedented wave of new engines and transmissions for 2005-model products.''
The Dearborn-based manufacturer describes it as a ''revolution under the hood,'' one that will benefit every car, truck, SUV and crossover that they launch for the 2005 model year.
''It's a massive undertaking begun five years ago to improve the performance, refinement, fuel economy and emissions of our entire lineup,'' says Phil Martens, group vice president of product creation for Ford Motor Company.
According to the man most directly responsible, Dave Szczupak, the vice-president of Ford Powertrain Operations, ''We have never had this many powertrain introductions in one year.''
Indeed, says Szczupak, ''There is more innovation in engine and transmission technology now than at anytime since the beginning of the auto industry 100 years ago.''
The ''revolution'' term is more than a marketing slogan, Szczupak maintains, because ''Traditional powertrains are being pushed now more than ever to eliminate emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. At the same time, the customer expects no compromises with performance.''
As a result, says Szczupak, for the 2005 model year alone Ford is Launching 11 all-new or significantly updated engines, including the expansion of the global inline-four engine architecture (2005 Ford Focus, Escape), and the three-valve per cylinder V8 (2005 Ford Mustang) and V10 engines (F-Series Super Duty, 6.8-liter, 3-valve V-10).
Ford is also launching the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, which is the first full-hybrid from a North American manufacturer and the first hybrid SUV.
On the transmission front, Ford will roll out two Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) and two six-speed automatics, one for its front- or all-wheel-drive applications and the second for its rear-wheel-drive trucks, and a special six-speed manual shifter for the 2005 Ford GT supercar.
Szczupak adds that Ford will also add three new transmission applications with the option of a four-speed automatic to the I-4 Escape, a five-speed automatic to the Mustang, and expansion of the new Torqshift five-speed automatic transmission to all Super Duty pickup gasoline and diesel variants.