The same UAW release confirming that the Ford Transit van will be assembled and sold in the U.S. also contains a line about a small-displacement V-6. In reference to Ford’s Lima, Ohio, engine plant, the UAW says that “a new industry-leading small V-6 will be added to the plant at an investment of $400M.”
A Ford spokesman wouldn’t confirm the planned engine, only agreeing that such an engine would make sense with the company’s current downsizing scheme and acknowledging that Ford is always working on new powertrains. Our hunch is that the engine would, at least in one variation, get the EcoBoost turbocharger treatment, and it’s pretty much a given that any modern, clean-sheet engine will use direct injection. We take “small” to mean a V-6 in the range of 2.5 to 3.0 liters of displacement, with possible output in the area of 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque—that would position it nicely between Ford’s EcoBoost 2.o-liter four (247 hp/266 lb-ft in the Focus ST) and its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 (up to 365 hp and 420 lb-ft in the EcoBoost F-150). Given this hypothetical output, we see it augmenting or replacing the larger, non-turbo 3.5- and 3.7-liter engines.
Current applications of the 3.5 and 3.7 include the Ford Fusion, Mustang, Taurus, Edge, Explorer, and F-150; and the Lincoln MKZ, MKS, MKX, and MKT. The engine does make a lot of sense for a re-focused Lincoln, which is trying to showcase technology and its premium feel. And while we don’t expect a second coming of the turbocharged SVO Mustang, albeit with an extra pair of cylinders, a small turbo six could fit well into a range-topping Fusion, possibly in the all-wheel-drive Sport model, or even a Fusion ST.
We do know that the engine has no chance in the next Escape, which will make do with four-cylinder engines only. So there’s that.
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