Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

This interesting new engine will be available in 2009 in the Lincoln MKS and MKT, the Ford Flex, the new F-150, and the 2010 Taurus (SHO?).  It only makes 340-350 HP, and it's not intercooled. But it does make ~340 torque and the torque curve is very flat. It's been shown and discussed only with a 6-speed automatic at this point, although further transmissions are a possibility. Although Ford is not talking any further details, it's interesting to note that Ford has started to use a new automated manual dual-clutch 6-speed transmission in Europe behind a meager 4-cylinder engine. An advanced and much higher capacity version of that same type of transmission (although from Getrag) is used in the new Mitsubisho Evo X MR - and it's rated there at 340 torque. That'd make a nice SHO transmission!