Lincoln Zephyr Gets A Power Boost For 07

[kool_zx3]

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_lincoln...atec/index.htm

Lincoln Zephyr Gets 3.5L for 2007

"If we run this plant at 100% capacity, we will put out 325,000 engines,” Evans says. He also says the new engines are testing out at more than the 250 hp at which they are rated. "

More then 250HP, Giddy Up

So 325,000 Engines per year at the plant, not bad considering they will never build that many edge/aviator's in a year. So it's only obvious the zephyr will get it. Freestyle/500/and Montego should be right behind.

[AdmiralViscen]

It better be way over 250hp if it's coming out in '07.

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

It better be way over 250hp if it's coming out in '07.

It will be out this fall for the 07 MY. Plus over 250HP for the lincoln will do just fine, it's selling past expectations right now with it's 221HP 3.0L, sales should only get better with the extra HP.

[AdmiralViscen]

I meant that it's going to need way more than 250hp to compete with the Nissan/Toyota engines, and the update of G.M's 3.6.

Hon/da and Chr/ysler have had 250hp 3.5L's for years. This thing had better be pushing 270+hp.

[FoMoCo Fan]

Maybe it should have 400hp. No, I'm serious. If 300 is the new 250, by that logic 350 will be the new 300 in a few years, and in order to compete someone will need to take it to 400hp. Those 250hp engines were also rated under the OLD system.

[giagastormer]

Zephyr needs more than an engine upgrade to be taken more seriously.

The added power should be a nice touch.

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

Those 250hp engines were also rated under the OLD system.

Okay? G.M's 287hp and Toy/ota's 267hp (305hp in the IS350) are under the new system.

[FightingChance]

I think we really need to be considering how much horsepower we *need*, not how much we want in a given application.

250hp would be fine.

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by FightingChance

I think we really need to be considering how much horsepower we *need*, not how much we want in a given application.

250hp would be fine.

We don't *need* nice interiors, either. It'd be nice if domestic product would be class-leading. "Good enough" and "fine" are not good enough or fine.

[kool_zx3]

250+HP on regular fuel without really any high tech technology like variable intake,full vvt etc... It's pretty good engine to me.

Toyota and nissan wants premium fuel for all their High Po v6's.

With awd coming also it's going to be a very nice package, plus it's selling beyond everyone's expectations already, this will just add more to the pot.

[AdmiralViscen]

Now I'll add that it'd be nice if the engine had high tech, modern technology. No more half measures!

What were the original sales expectations, and what are current sales?

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

Now I'll add that it'd be nice if the engine had high tech, modern technology. No more half measures!

What were the original sales expectations, and what are current sales?

Ford is building a simple cheap engine they can get out into production so it can power the cars that need them.

Plus a lincoln outselling it's cheaper lincoln cousin, i think that answers that right there. It's expectations were maybe a couple thousand a month at first but it's selling near 3000 with nobody being able to keep them in stock, plus with sales of all 3 rising every month, it's doing well without the 3.5 and AWD

[AdmiralViscen]

I'd like to hear a more specific expectation from Ford before you talk about the Zephyr blowing away its predictions. Especially since Ford has been vastly under-predicting sales of all of its newest vehicles.

If the 3.5 is meant to be a simple and cheap stand-in, it should have been here a year ago. Waiting another year is pretty ridiculous for an engine that's nothing more than on par with 3-4 year old designs.

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

I'd like to hear a more specific expectation from Ford before you talk about the Zephyr blowing away its predictions. Especially since Ford has been vastly under-predicting sales of all of its newest vehicles.

If the 3.5 is meant to be a simple and cheap stand-in, it should have been here a year ago. Waiting another year is pretty ridiculous for an engine that's nothing more than on par with 3-4 year old designs.

Could these 3-4 year old designs support DI,TURBO,Supercharging, and every other new engine technology today. It takes years to devolop a new engine. I think ford built a fantastic engine here and we only seen the tip of the iceberg here.

The Zephyr doesn't need a HO V6 right yet, but i think later we will see a HO 3.5 in the zephyr, along with other lincoln's. The zephyr is on par at it's current rating with just about all other v6's in it's displacement and fuel category.

[AdmiralViscen]

The GM 2.8/3.6's are turboed. They are also set to make more horsepower naturally aspirated. And yes, they support DI. The Toyota already has DI. I wonder what you'll be saying if all of these future Duratec35 enhancements wind up requiring mid-grade or premium fuel.

Too soon to say if the Ford engine is too little too late, or fantastic. But I'm worried about how long it's going to take for it to be a class leader.