The first, announced late last month, is Ford's upcoming Edge, that none of us outsiders know much about other than its general
architecture derivation and powertrain specs, and Lincoln's new Aviator that was introduced in clandestine fashion (i.e. a promise not to release photos until after it becomes common knowledge in Detroit) during the launch of the same nameplate's Zephyr sedan in Manhattan earlier this month.
Nothing to do with the current Ford Explorer based SUV, the new Aviator will share its overall architecture, from chassis underpinnings right up to the drivetrain components and electrical harnesses, with the new Edge, both of which derive all of the above from the Fusion/Milan/Zephyr trio, all of which owe much to Mazda's award winning 6 for donating its slightly shorter chassis architecture to the cause.
That Mazda makes use of Ford's Duratec 30 in its top trim level, by the way, as well as the Aisin six-speed automatic, so it was only natural for Ford to adopt the vehicle, which has been lauded by the press and customers
since its inception, for its midsize lineup. Again, the Mazda6's 3.0-litre V6 is miles more advanced than the one introduced in the Taurus in '96, but just the same I'm sure Mazda would love to get its racy hands on what Ford has in store for model year 2007 and beyond.
That engine is Ford's new 3.5-litre V6, boasting 250-horsepower at an estimated 6,250 rpm and 240 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm, and mated to that same front-drive configured in-house developed six-speed automatic I mentioned a few minutes ago. The engine is a 60-degree V, comprised of an aluminum block and heads, 4-valves per cylinder and DOHC technology, of course, plus intake variable camshaft timing.
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| Lincoln's upcoming Aviator, set to debut in Detroit this January, will be among the first vehicles to get the new 3.5L V6. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Nothing to do with the current Ford Explorer based SUV, the new Aviator will share its overall architecture, from chassis underpinnings right up to the drivetrain components and electrical harnesses, with the new Edge, both of which derive all of the above from the Fusion/Milan/Zephyr trio, all of which owe much to Mazda's award winning 6 for donating its slightly shorter chassis architecture to the cause.
That Mazda makes use of Ford's Duratec 30 in its top trim level, by the way, as well as the Aisin six-speed automatic, so it was only natural for Ford to adopt the vehicle, which has been lauded by the press and customers
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| Ford's new 3.5-litre V6, boasting 250-horsepower at an estimated 6,250 rpm and 240 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
That engine is Ford's new 3.5-litre V6, boasting 250-horsepower at an estimated 6,250 rpm and 240 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm, and mated to that same front-drive configured in-house developed six-speed automatic I mentioned a few minutes ago. The engine is a 60-degree V, comprised of an aluminum block and heads, 4-valves per cylinder and DOHC technology, of course, plus intake variable camshaft timing.