In addition to being the engine used in both the Ford Edge (see The ’07 Ford Edge: Is This the Most Important Vehicle in Ford’s Lineup? [Yes.] ) and the Lincoln MKX, Ford Motor Co. is going to be deploying its 263-hp, 3.5-liter V6 in a number of other applications—such as fitting it under the hood of the Lincoln MKZ—the car formerly known as the “Zephyr.” Barb Samardzich, Ford vp of Powertrain Operations calls it “a key component in Ford’s global powertrain strategy,” and goes on to say, “This powertrain is an innovative solution to answering the call for better fuel efficiency, more refinement, more power, and clean emissions, without any sacrifices.” In other words, this engine could become what the Mazda6 platform has become to body architecture. One difference between the MKZ and the Edge/MKX applications is that while all of the vehicles are equipped with six-speed transmissions, the one in the MKZ is a carryover not the new six-speed developed as part of the GM-Ford collaborative venture.—GSV

Among the visible differences between the ’06 Zephyr and this, the ’07 MKZ, are a new front end (note the vertical slats that are going to become a characteristic of Lincoln car front ends; there is more of a strong horizontal orientation to the front ends on the trucks, such as the revised Navigator L), and the use of chrome touches, such as on the mirrors and along the beltline.	The Duratec 35 has replaced the Duratec 30 engine that was used in the 2006 Zephyr in the 2007 Lincoln MKZ. This V6 could become for Ford what the Mazda6 platform has become for vehicle architecture. The same engine is used in the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX crossover vehicles, but in those application sit is rated at 265 hp @ 6,250 rpm, and in the sedan it’s 263 hp.