Ford Motor Company to launch new "TwinForce" turbocharged engine via Lincoln MKR concept
When the Lincoln MKR concept vehicle debuts next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI the vehicle will showcase the first variant of an entirely new family of engines to be utilized in future Ford and Lincoln products. Dubbed "TwinForce" by Ford Motor Company, the new powertrain design employes direct fuel injection and dual turbochargers in a V6 configuration. Power from the MKR's 3.5-liter twin turbo V6 reportedly rates at 415 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque. According to Ford, the motor runs perfectly fine on E85 fuel blends due to the 85-percent ethanol content's high octane rating.
Ford/Lincoln claims that developing comparable power in a standard V8 engine would require at least 6.0-liters of displacement. As a result, the relatively low 3.5 liters allows an increase of fuel efficiency by about 15 percent. A six-speed automatic transmission with push button gear selection backs the powerplant.
Source and image: Ford/Lincoln media
2007 Lincoln MKX launch delayed two weeks
The all-new 2007 Lincoln MKX crossover utility vehicle, initially expected in dealerships by late November, will be delayed until early December. Manufacturing and supplier issues must be resolved before the vehicle comes to marketplace to ensure a perfect, problem-free launch. The related Ford Edge crossover was pushed back two weeks as well.
Delays are common in today?s automotive industry, especially since the hyper-competitive atmosphere prompts manufacturers to bring new products to market faster and faster. For the highly anticipated Lincoln MKX that has already received widespread praise from the automotive press, a postponement of two weeks is quite minor.
Source: Detroit News
Image: Ford/Lincoln media
Exclusive Lincoln engine under development by Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is developing a 3.7-liter V6 engine that will be fitted exclusively in Lincoln vehicles, reports Automotive News. According to one Ford official, the new powerplant will differential itself primarily via its torque and horsepower figures. Not-yet-released flagship Lincoln MKS sedans will receive the unit in 2009 and MKX crossovers could also employ the engine in the future. Currently, MKX models feature the same 3.5-liter V6 found in the Ford Edge Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV).
Ford/Lincoln believes customers want high-output V6 engines rather than thirstier V8 internal combustors, even in the luxury segment. Plans for a Volvo-sourced V8 engine in the Lincoln MKS sedan are no longer viable, although Ford Motor Company may still develop its own eight-cylinder unit in-house.
The upcoming Lincoln MKS will be a front-wheel drive full-size sedan, sharing its platform with the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego.
Source: Automotive News [Subscription required]
Image: Lincoln media [2007 Lincoln MKX pictured]
