DEARBORN - By John
Fossen, FCN - The all-new Ford Edge crossover vehicle debuts
later this year, equipped with a new 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter
V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission that will serve
as cornerstones in the company's drive to improve the
performance, fuel economy and emissions of its powertrains.
Ford Vehicle
Development Chief Engineer Jim Baumbick says the new engine and
transmission give Ford's new crossover a cutting edge powertrain.
"It has very
strong acceleration, so you have that confident get-up-and-go
feel when you want it. And when you want to cruise, it delivers
smooth, effortless driving that optimizes fuel economy," he
said.
A good launch is
critical for the Edge and its new powertrain. The 3.5-liter V-6
engine will be under the hood of one in five of the company's
North American vehicles by the end of the decade. Ford also
intends to maintain a leadership role in 6-speed transmissions.
.
Ford's new engine
and trans-mission reinforce the company's on-going commitment to
providing powertrains of choice to custo-mers in all vehicle
segments, according to Powertrain Vice President Barb Samardzich.
The 3.5-liter V-6
combines with the first Ford-built 6-speed front-wheel-drive
transmission to deliver up to a 7 percent fuel economy
improvement on the highway compared to a typical 4-speed
automatic.
The new engine's
265-horsepower rating is accomplished with less expensive
regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane). Some competitors require
more expensive premium or mid-grade fuel to achieve their top
ratings. Not only is the 3.5-liter Ford's most powerful V-6
ever, it's also the cleanest.
The new 2007
Lincoln MKX crossover vehicle also will be equipped with the new
V-6 engine and 6-speed transmission. The new engine will also
power the 2007 Lincoln MKZ.
Edmunds.com
contributing editor Rex Roy is impressed with the refinement of
the new V-6 engine, which he experienced while driving the 2007
Lincoln MKZ sedan.
"It truly puts
Ford in competition with Honda and Toyota for producing some of
the smoothest engines around," said Roy.
Samardzich says
more class-leading powertrains are on the way as Ford pushes to
be the leader or among the leaders in every vehicle segment.
"Our
four-cylinder engine is a very strong product, and soon we will
make it even more competitive with additional
technologies," said Samardzich. "We're really focused
on getting technologies from an advanced stage into vehicle
programs and then delivering a very competitive cycle plan as
quickly as possible, with world-class quality."
