New 3.5L Engine Boosts Ford Edge

[Edge Guide]

NEW 3.5L Engine Boosts Ford Edge

 

By John Fossen, FCN

 

Ford Edge 3.5L V6 Engine.

 

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, which the automaker estimates will be used in half of all manufacturers' North American cars and trucks by 2015.

 

Ford's new engine and transmission reinforce the company's on-going commitment to providing powertrains of choice to customers in all vehicle segments, according to Powertrain Vice President Barb Samardzich.

 

"Consumers shopping crossovers are looking for performance and fuel economy," she said. "We think that the new 6-speed transmission and 3.5-liter engine are absolutely best in class – any way you measure it."

 

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."