Replying to Topic 'Questions on the V6 engine'
Ford can make great product when they want to, and the Duratec is a good example. In the world of V6 sedan engines, it is truly one of the better ones out there when it comes to power, smoothness, NVH, and yes, reliability.
Unfortunately, that nice engine is often put into vehicles with a less clear direction in life, such as the Taurus. Great engine, but overall a rather cheap car.
And yes, the engine has been significantly modified by Mazda. When it comes down to it, it isn't the block design thats important, or that causes problems, it is the more minute stuff, like cams, valves, pistons, etc.
BTW, the Duratec is the basic unit for the engine in the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. Read any article ever written abou that car and you'll see it has been named one of the best supercar engines ever. Powerful as hell, and with a sound almost nothing else can touch. Yes, it is based on the same engine in the Taurus, but when Aston smacked 2 of them together and did its own tweaks, it goes from sedan to supercar engine just that quickly.
While deep down I still tell myself the new Mazda 4's will be better made, I think if it came down to it, I would not have a problem buying the V6. I just wish Mazda could make their own V6 too
Maybe that's next after these 4's are now done. Give us that K series motor, but bump up displacement and then we'd be talking. I love that engine, but at 2.5L, it never had enough low end pop for a V6, but boy did it sing a sweet song....
