Found This Today

[OneWayStreet]

:(

Lincoln V-8 Axed Ford halts engine plan for flagship MKS http://autoweek.com/graphics/aw_spacer.gif
By AMY WILSON | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS (http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/personalia?ID=ANWILSON&category=contact)
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AutoWeek | Published 08/21/06, 8:01 am et
DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. has killed plans to put a V-8 engine in its future Lincoln flagship sedan.

The 4.4-liter V-8, a version of a Yamaha engine used in the Volvo XC90 crossover, was slated to power the Lincoln MKS beginning in 2008. Ford planned to produce the V-8 at its Lima, Ohio, plant. But in recent days, the company has canceled the program, supplier and industry sources say.

The V-8 appears to be a victim of new cost-cutting efforts by Ford, which says it needs to accelerate its Way Forward restructuring plan for North America.

"Lower-volume engine production is always higher cost," said Eric Fedewa, a powertrain analyst with CSM Worldwide in Northville, Mich.

Ford had planned to use the V-8 in other future products, including crossovers for the Ford and Lincoln brands. Annual engine volume was expected to approach 100,000.

Ford now will rely solely on its new 3.5-liter V-6 engine family to power the MKS, sources said. Ford's other V-8s are too large. The decision could prove to be a competitive challenge in a segment where most rivals offer a V-8.

The 3.5-liter V-6 is being added to the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego sedans, which share a platform with the MKS. Lincoln's smaller MKZ sedan also is using the 3.5-liter V-6 beginning this fall.

To set the bigger sedan apart, Ford will boost the output of the base V-6 for the MKS, sources said.

Ford spokeswoman Sara Tatchio said: "We have taken the step to differentiate the powertrain in the Lincoln MKZ, and we hope to do that for Lincolns moving forward."

[pro-five-oh]

Damn, ya beat me to it! :) Oh well, no more V8 Lincoln cars! :(

On the plus side, we can expect a twin-turbo V6, a la Lincoln's customer survey they sent out a few months ago.

Sorry Kat, you're gonna have to change the forum name again! :lol:

[pro-five-oh]

Too bad they can't (or won't) use the InTech Conti's V8 in the MKS...that's the ideal motor for a big AWD sedan.

[v8_dave]

Boo...twin turbo sounds like it could also be a worthy powerplant as well though. Nothing under 300 ponies will do the job! :(

[DaKat]

Sorry Kat, you're gonna have to change the forum name again! :lol:
-->pro:kick: <--Kat

[pro-five-oh]

-->pro:kick: <--Kat

Hey, can you put Twin turbo in there with a "?" at the end? :p

[DaKat]

Hey, can you put Twin turbo in there with a "?" at the end? :p

Can you say "bite me"? :p

[pro-five-oh]

I don't see how that's gonna get "twin turbo" in the title.

[DaKat]

I doubt if it will get in there either way, but at least I might enjoy that one! :rofl:

[pro-five-oh]

Well we better just wait...who knows, they might rename the entire line 6 months from now. LOL

[OneWayStreet]

Maybe the market will dictate putting a V8 in the MKS after all.

[Silver Cobra]

And here I am posting on the threads in chronological order :o

I think Lincoln just scooped up another pile of dirt. They're almost sex feet under now! :eek:

[DaKat]

They're almost sex feet under now! :eek:

ORly???

[Silver Cobra]

Holy shite. Did I type that?? I don't remember

Talk about subliminable :o

I meant to say Six feet under

[Sysanalyst]

As I suspected... Next week they will announce that they will drop the 3.5L V6 and use the 2.3L I-4 with a turbo... and the next week the turbo will get the axe due to cost overruns. And to think I was looking forward to visiting the Lincoln dealer to drive one as soon as they hit the street! At least Daimler can deliver with a big V8 engine, and GM too (V8 Impala). And Lincoln? Let's stuff 400+HP in a 40K Mustang, and then put a 260HP V6 in our luxury flagship? The bottom of the line Lexus ES350 features a V6 with more power. Errrrr........:achoo:

[nailfoot]

Maybe, if we wait long enough, Lincoln will have a little electric engine powered by a hampster in a wheel.

[OneWayStreet]

Maybe, if we wait long enough, Lincoln will have a little electric engine powered by a hampster in a wheel.

Yep, and the hampster will have his (or her) own leather seats, climate control, and faux wood trim.

[96DiamondVIII]

No V8 in the Lincoln lineup (well, other than the Navigator) ? Someone call a priest, I think we're near the time of death.

[Rhett]

I agree with above. I visited a Mercury/Lincoln dealer over the weekend, and it was truly sad to see what was on the lot. There was simply nothing to choose from (even if I was in a buying mood). Now, they're cutting the V8 from the MKS, which is the one car I've been anxiously awaiting. Lincoln is absolutely at its nadir right now, and better do something fast. Putting a pepped-up V6 in the MKS is NOT the answer to compete with Cadillac. Now I'll have to reconsider my interest.

Man, I miss the days of my 280-horsepower 2000 Continental! Come on, Dearborn. Get with the program!

However.... If they can deliver the ponies with a V6, I suppose it's cool. Guess engines have come a long way in just six short years. I just like knowing I've got 8 pistons poppin when I'm trying to pass Grandma and a semi is bearing down on me!

Ok, editing here. Didn't realize we were talking about a V6 with 311 bhp. Is this true? How are they doing it?

[pro-five-oh]

Ok, editing here. Didn't realize we were talking about a V6 with 311 bhp. Is this true? How are they doing it?


311? Try well over 350hp.

Twin Turbos and direct injection (gas shot into the combustion chamber, not the intake) make it all happen.

The MKS may not sound like a V8, but its probably not a big loss when you consider it'll have THAT much power and a close ratio 6-speed auto putting the power down hard.

[Sysanalyst]

:(

...

"Lower-volume engine production is always higher cost," said Eric Fedewa, a powertrain analyst with CSM Worldwide in Northville, Mich.

...




So now what? You can have a Ford with any engine you want as long as it is the 3.5L Duratec? How about mass producing the 4.4L V8 too rather than making it a costly option that 10% or less opt in for. Here we go again... And they wonder why people like myself go out and buy Lexus...

[Sysanalyst]

...

However.... If they can deliver the ponies with a V6, I suppose it's cool. Guess engines have come a long way in just six short years. I just like knowing I've got 8 pistons poppin when I'm trying to pass Grandma and a semi is bearing down on me!

...

V6 engines run rough, they are difficult to dynamically balance correctly. V8's are the way to go. Henry Ford I had it right - the V8 was the way to go and led the performance pack for years. V6 at 350HP, get ready to have your teeth rattle out of your head when you wind that puppy up.

[pro-five-oh]

V6 engines run rough, they are difficult to dynamically balance correctly.


Its not that bad at all, only the GM 3.8L V6 is a rough runner these days. You of all people should know with the two V6 Lexi in your stable. ;)

[Sysanalyst]

Its not that bad at all, only the GM 3.8L V6 is a rough runner these days. You of all people should know with the two V6 Lexi in your stable. ;)

The IS300 has an Inline 6 which purrs nicely. Inline 6 cylinders are great running engines. The RX300, a V6, runs well through the addition of a costly balance shaft mechanism and other tweaks. If I understand correctly, the 3.5 Duratec will not have a balance shaft to smooth out the "rough edges".

[nailfoot]

...Inline 6 cylinders are great running engines...


My 215K Jeep seconds that!

[pro-five-oh]

The IS300 has an Inline 6 which purrs nicely. Inline 6 cylinders are great running engines. The RX300, a V6, runs well through the addition of a costly balance shaft mechanism and other tweaks. If I understand correctly, the 3.5 Duratec will not have a balance shaft to smooth out the "rough edges".

Whoops, forgot about the IS's straight six...that's a nice motor for sure.

I thought the Duratec 35 had a balance shaft, but you're probably right. In its defense, it makes crazy power on low octane and does it without costly 1) variable valve timing or 2) variable induction.

And the twin turbo version also sounds good on paper, that's for sure.

[LuxuryLiner]

I just hate the thought of having a 6 in a Lincoln...especially one that is smaller than the TC. I like having a big car around me...after you drive a truck that is 80 feet long...having a car that is almost 20 feet is comforting. If they end up not coming out with a large car, it will either be to a Ford Crown Vic or back to VW...if I'm going to have small, I'm going to have fun!!! :o

[pro-five-oh]

2009 is gonna be a good year for the Crown Vic. If I were you, I'd hold my breath. :)