Trader 10

I concur on how good the 2.3 EB is. Before we bought our Edge last spring I test drove a 2.3 Explorer as well as a 3.5 NA Explorer. The 3.5 seemed slower and course compared to the 2.3. I'd take it anytime over the 3.5.

I can understand struts failing in 4 to 5 years is a problem especially for mechanics and it would seem to me that poor quality is the issue. Struts that last at least twice that long doesn't seem unreasonable to me, particularly for a Lincoln model. I would think the prop rod would be a pain to work around for mechanics. Just as a strut can fail, a prop rod can be bumped and let a hood slam down,

A 2.7/10 speed would be a great mid-range Mustang powertain. Maybe it will be available for the next generation. It sure would be nice to see Ford replace the hood prop rod with gas assisted struts. Nothing says cheap quite like a prop-rod.

The lack of a V-8 in the current Expy/Navigator is probably an indication that the next gen vehicles will probably also be V-6 only. Probably 2.7/3.5 for the Expy and 3.0/3.5 for the Navigator with the Navigator 3.5 perhaps slightly more powerful than the Expy 3.5. I'm guessing the 10 speed will be the exclusive transmission.

I doubt we'll see that much fuel improvement from the 10 speed over the 6 speed - maybe 1 mpg highway. We won't be able to tell with the 2017 F-150 since the 3.5 is an all new engine. I wonder if Ford will switch the current 3.5/3.7 naturally aspirated motors to the new 3.5 design and eliminate one of the displacements.

The Mustang MCE is coming for my 2018 which will probably be released the during the first half of 2017 I would think the 10 speed would be introduced then along with a 3.7 replacement and an enhanced 5.0.

I should have added no major changes outside of the addition of the Sport model (which is not the model transit an ordered).

The 2017 Fusion is just a refresh with no sheet metal changes. I doubt they will hold early builds very long if at all considering the lack of any major changes.

Interesting that the document makes no mention whatsoever of Ford's best selling car.

With a new block and new heads it would seem that the upcoming 3.5 is a nano and not a reworked cyclone.

Article on the new 3.5: http://www.enginelabs.com/features/sema-coverage/sema-2015-ford-offers-details-on-next-gen-3-5l-ecoboost/

The Continental isn't a sports car. I don't know why "just" 400 hp isn't enough. But if it's not Ford has the all new 3.5 (not an upgraded Cyclone) coming next year that will offer more. I can't see Ford spending the money to develop a new V-8 unless it was going to replace the Coyote and I don't think that will happen. I think Lincoln will be done with V-8's when the new Navigator comes out as I see it with the 3.0 and 3.5 V-6's.

Richard, I certainly acknowledge the fact that the Mod V-8's have had a long and successful run. It is true that the GM OHV's need more displacement to produce similar power but I don't think that means much as fuel economy is comparable and moreover the GM's are more compact power- plants that have a lot fewer parts and are surely significantly less expensive to manufacture.

I don't think there will be any upgraded 1.5. The Ford press release for the 17 Escape doesn't indicate that the newly available 1.5 is anything other than the same power plant in the 16 Fusion. The "Dragon" engines supposedly coming soon will probably replace the 1.5 in the next generation Fusions and Escapes. I'm wondering if the 9 speed auto will be available in the 17 Fusion. Maybe the rotary shifter shown in spy photos of the Fusion interior is a clue that it will be.

It seems likely the 3.0 and the new 3.5 are nanos. It doesn't make sense for Ford to develop 2 new V-6 engine families at basically the same time.

The production ready interior pictures with English markings would seem to indicate the CD4 Taurus will be coming to the U.S.

I didn't know 100% gasoline was available anymore. Thought all gas was at least 10% ethanol.

Although the current platform certainly has its deficiencies, I don't think "lack of space" is one of them. Remember the 500 and Montego? In their time they had the biggest trunk in the industry as well as spacious interiors. They were panned in part due to dull styling. Ford chose style over function with the current generation, thus the lack of room in such a large car.

I think the 2.7 & the rumored 2.9 will replace the 3.5/3.7 in all cars and car based SUV's as they are redesigned. The Mustang is the exception, although it looks like the 3.7 may not be around for long. . I wonder if the next generation Edge will be 2.0 and 2.3 only, leaving the 2.7 (or 2.9) for the MKX.

Dean, I think there's a better chance the ST will be a 2.3 EB.

I agree. I think the nanos will replace the 3.5/3.7 motors as the cars/suv's are updated, leaving the 3.7 for the Mustang, Transit, and maybe the F-150 (I saw one article that speculated a n.a. nano would be the base F-150 engine) and the 3.5 EB for the F-150, Expedition,Navigator and possibly the next MKS. I also saw a post on another site that stated the 3.5 would be upgraded to at least 400 hp for the 2015 F-150. Hopefully, that will be the case as it would have about the same power as the new 6.2 GM V-8 with better fuel economy.

I see a naturally aspirated version of the upcoming 2.3 motor replacing the 1.5/1.6 engines as well as the 2.5. It should be able to match the 1.5 on fuel economy with more power. The 2.3 EB should be able to at least match the 2.0 in mileage with substantially more power. The 2.3 motors and the upcoming 9 speed automatic should make a great combination.

Whoops - a screw up with the italics.

I think the base engine for the Taurus will be the 2.3 EB , about 280 HP with an optional N/A Nano of about 300 - 315 HP and the EB Nano , about 375 HP. MKS will probably be Nano's only. It looks like the 9 speed may not be ready for the 2015 models.

It amazes me that C&D would think that a 2.9 EB would only produce 300hp. That motor will more than likely make at least as much power as the current 3.5 EB. I don't think the 3.5 EB will be offered in the new MKS - it looks like the 3.5/3.7 engines are replaced by the nano V-6"'s for car and SUV applications with the possible exception of the new Mustang.