V10

Duh, too bad nobody @ Ford can figure this out.

Ford has continually set its new vehicle targets at what the competition is already selling. Then once the vehicle is introduced 3 years behind the competition, the bean counters further cost reduce & decontent them.

GTJOHN

True, but GM & Chrysler have followed Ford as well - SUV, Crossovers and now bringing back the Camaro & Challenger due to high Mustang sales.

If Ford is guilty of anything, its not upgrading its existing products. The Japs & Euro's have taken some of Fords ideas and have made them just as good or even better!

As much as I hate to see a new Camaro or Challenger, in a way I am glad to see them return. If not, we all know Ford wouldn't have done upgrades on the Mustang for years!

I get mad when I see cars like the Lincoln LS and T-Bird get thrown away. All the LS needed was a little TLC, and with some minor changes and lower price tag, the T-Bird would of sold a lot more.

How about updating the Crown Vic? It hasn't changed much since the freakin 1980's.

V10

An exampe of what I'm talking about with Ford being behind 3 years behind the competition is the new D35 V6 engine. While Ford and it's fans are going crazy over the D35, it doesn't break any new ground and is at best parity in terms of HP & TQ to what other manufacturers like Nissan have been selling for the last 3 - 4 years.

As I mentioned before, not only does Ford not upgrade its cars, the bean counters pull equipment off them putting them farther behind.

The LS was killed because Ford claimed they were loosing money on them. The reason why the LS was loosing money was that Ford killed the other D/EW-98 models that were planned when the LS & D/EW-98 were being developed. So Ford lost the econmies of scale required to make the LS profitable. The Lincoln LS was one of the best vehicles that Ford ever built. It wouldn't have taken much work to made it near perfect.

The engineers have been trying to get a major update on the Panter platform CC, GM, TC. The bean counters keep killing any more updates so Panther sales keep sagging. The Panther is in dire need of a whole new interior, but I doubt it will ever happen even though for most of the last 10 years the Panther cars were some of the VERY few cars (I said cars not trucks / SUVs) that were profitable for for Ford. Ford will just let them die away.

Boomer

I think the reason why people are raving about the D35 engine is the ability for it to produce a good ammount of juice on 87, and its expandablity.

IIRC the Nissan VQ is pretty tapped to its potential by now (less force induction)

Just like the 4.6 3v
@ 300hp on 87 octane, isn't really anything to sneeze at.
Of course everyone is drunk on horsepower and wants MORE

I just hope the BOSS engines have the refinement of the D35 and its variants. It's a well built engine.

TomServo92

That's exactly what impresses me about the D35.

V10

The Nissian 3.5 V6 is currently rated @ 255 HP / 252 lb ft on 87 octane & 270 HP / 258 lb ft on 91 octane, as used in the Altima & Maxima. And 300 HP in the 350Z on 91 octane.

Nissian also has a 4.0L version out as used in its SUVs.

The 300HP versions have VVT on both intake & exhaust valves, the D35 has VVT on only the intake.

The Toyota 3.5L V6 is rated @ 268 HP & 248 lb ft on 87 octane. It also has VVT on both the intake & exhaust valves.

Again, the D35 pretty much parity with the competition.

Hollywood_North GT

Exactly. And the rumor is that the forthcoming G35 coupe will get a 3.7L VQ, possibly good for 330+ HP.

Of course, the V8 will always remain the winner when it comes to torque, which, at the end of the day, is what propels your vehicle.

TomServo92

I'm not sure that's correct. Here's a direct quote from the 2007 Maxima owners manual:

Hollywood_North GT

I think perhaps what he means is that we need to be seeing that full potential RIGHT NOW.

Waiting for Chapter 7 is too late.

TomServo92

I suppose that's true but financial difficulties aside, the D35 produces similar power with a lot less technology (which is what I find impressive). IF Ford can survive the current crisis, then maybe we'll see exactly what can be done WITH all that technology incorporated. Perhaps the 3.7L going into the MKS will be the showcase for the D35 family.

Hollywood_North GT

It sounds like a distinct possibility - and I hope you're right. That would definitely be the car in which to introduce it.

Knight

I just hope taht the D35 doesn't pull a 99 Cobra on us.

GTJOHN

Has anybody on this board test driven or bought a new MKZ? If so, what did you think of the ride and the power?

TomServo92

Test driving one is on my list but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

JETSOLVER

D35 made Wards top 10 engines list. Along with the 3 valve 4.6 again. And one or two others.....

http://wardsauto.com/home/best_engines_winners/

TomServo92

Sweet!

V10

We have a conflict in sales info as the Nissian web site says 255 HP on 87 octane and max power with 91 octane.

Under the Altima it says 270 HP with 91 octane.

I'd imagine the Toyotal 3.5 with direct injection will get better gas milage than the D35. I'd call +3 HP & -2 lb ft a total wash in power ratings.

Again, the competition is selling direct injection and dual VVT TODAY!
When will Ford be selling engines with that technology?

TomServo92

Here's what the Nissan site actually says:

It doesn't say you get 255HP on 87 (at least not that I can find).

It's a wash except that the Toyota doesn't generate that much power given all the techno built into it.

Now that's a good question! Like I said before, maybe we'll see it in the Lincoln 3.7L.

V10

And Nissan's VQ V6 once again made Ward's top 10 list. I think it's the 5th year.

And the new Toyota V6 made Ward's to 10 list.

As I said, the D35 is parity with the competition, not clearly better.

V10

That's what it says for the Maxima.

But it says 270 HP on 91 octane in the Altima.

In any case with 91 octane the Nissian 3.5L VQ puts out 287 & 300 HP in its 2 different version in the 350Z and 298 HP in the G35. Clearly more than the D35.