Ahh, finally a real v6. The 3.0 duratec was getting a bit old and underpowerd. We will see the new 3.5L duratec in the Ford fusion, Mercury Milan, and the Lincoln Zephyr next July (2006) as 2007 year models. All of them are built off the same platform which they share with the Mazda6.

Unfortunatlly, the Ford freestyle, 500, and Mercury Montego which are all built off the larger Volvo shared platform will have to wait an extra year. Ford is holding back because these models will be refreshened for the the 2008 model year and released sometime in 2007. It made better sense for them to wait till the new refresh to introduce the new engine. I think it's silly, but they want to make the 2008's seem really new i guess.

It's weird how the smaller sedans are getting them first.

I don't know the outputs, but Ford has said the engine is capable of 275hp in its most powerful trim (perhaps as a Lincoln). I'd suspect the other models will get something in the 245-265hp range.

I wonder if the Mustang will get this engine or if it'll still with the tired 210hp 4.0 Sohc. I don't care which engine they go with, but they need to find a way to boost output to atleast 240hp.

Document with build dates from autoweek forums.

 

Its about time...The 3.0 is very old and tired. Its time for the 3.5 to come to the plate.

I bet the stang would get this engine. Somthing around 240hp imo.

 

The 3.5 liter Duratec should have been ready for the launch of the Ford Five-Hundred - not in 2007/2008!

 

That was always my take. It should have been in the lineup 2004/05 model year, not 2008.

 

Is there any neat tech tidbits to the new engine?

 

Nothing out of the ordinary. Typical stuff like VVT.


There's not much info on the engine in general, but this is all i've found,

Preliminary Technical Specifications

Engine type
All-aluminum dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) 4-valve per cylinder 60-degree V-6

Displacement
3.5 liters (213 cubic inches)

Cylinders
60-degree V-6

Head
Aluminum alloy with aluminum cam covers

Block
Aluminum high-pressure diecast, deep-shirt cylinder block

Valvetrain
Direct-acting-mechanical-bucket
4-valve per cylinder
Dual-overhead-cam
Continuously variable-cam timing

Crankshaft
Internally balanced, forged steel

Connecting rods
Cracked powdered metal

Injection
Sequential multiport fuel injection

Ignition
Pencil-coil ignition


They hope to build 325,000 of them annually once production peaks. It's suppose to be 4-8% more fuel efficient than the 3.0L Duratec it is replacing.

I don't know, but between the Lincolns, Mercury's, Ford 500/freestyle/fusion....there's not much left for Mustang because v6 Mustang production alone is over 100k units. Out of the peak 325k 3.5L v6's they plan to build annually, will the 100+ v6 mustangs recieve an allotment? Or are they out of the equation? I think it is the latter.

 

Wow...2 more years for an engine they deffinatly need. By then, everyone should be past them and the 3.5 will just be a midpack engine.

 

Things look that way. They had better be packing 250hp MINIMUM come 07/08 model year. I'd say 260hp just to be on the safe side.

 

I like the 4.0 in the Mustang. A big simple engine is perfect for a car like that. The 3.5 would undoubtedly be more expensive and raise the base price. I suppose it could be an optional engine over the 4.0, but then you have to explain why the smaller engine is more expensive, etc., to the average buyer.

Performance enthusiasts would still buy the V8. People looking for cheap, stylish wheels would buy the 4.0 ('cause it's cheaper).

 

This engine would be great in the Mustang and the Mazda 6 really needs it as well.

 

Hmmm, that would be my question. The Mazda 6 is already getting the 6-speed auto. If you drop in a 250+hp V-6 with VVT, that could be a runner!

 

The Ford fusion will get it, i'm sure the Mazda6 will as well since they're twin cars.

That and the Mazda6's current 220hp v6 engine is actually a duratec 3.0L. I'm sure the duratec 3.5L will be the replacement.

 

But would it be any quicker than Nissan Altima V6?

Probably not.

 

Maybe but it would be in the ball park--and as it sits with 220hp and way less torque its not.