2005 Fairlane CONCEPT Powertrain
The Fairlane concept was built to explore new ways to design and package transportation for three or more active people and their things. As such, the main emphasis of this vehicle is on those areas rather than on the powertrain. However, that does not mean the powertrain was ignored in creating this concept.
Like the 2006 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr, the Fairlane concept is based on Ford's global CD3 platform. Like the Fusion and Zephyr, it shares an engine and transmission – the 3.0-liter Duratec 30 V-6 and a six-speed automatic transaxle – from the company's powertrain program.
CENTERS OF ENGINE EXCELLENCE
Ford Motor Company's global powertrain program assigns the design and development of specific types of engines to specific company operations that have the greatest experience and expertise with that type of engine. Thus, Mazda, Ford's Japanese affiliate, is the center or excellence for inline four-cylinder engines because these are the dominant engines in Mazda's main markets. Ford's North American operations are the center of excellence for V-type engines because of the high market demand for them in North America.
This process delivers high-quality powerplants to markets around the globe in an extremely timely manner.
Global emphasis on engine design and development ensures that the Ford Duratec 30 V-6, for instance, not only suits the needs and demands of its core North American market, but that needs of markets in other parts of the world have been addressed as well. The result is a thoroughly up-to-date V-6 that is clean, powerful and efficient.
The program also speeds engine development because no market has to develop every type of engine it might need or want.
DURATEC 30 V-6
The Duratec 30 3.0-liter V-6 engine features all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) and electronic throttle control to deliver smooth, spirited performance, along with good fuel economy and very low emissions ratings. It delivers 210 horsepower and 200 foot-pounds of torque.
SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC
The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with wider ratios allowing this smaller, more fuel-efficient engine to deliver smooth, consistent shifts and great low-end torque and performance feel. Another bonus is that the modern six-speed automatic is lighter than competitive four- and five-speed transaxles, boosting performance and economy further.
A similar version of this powertrain helps the Ford Fusion record 8.5-second 0-60 mph runs and delivers best-in-class acceleration during passing at freeway speeds.
All of this performance comes in a very clean package as the Duratec 30 nearly achieves Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) certification in states that have adopted California's emissions regulations.