Quote:
From the first time we drew it up, we knew we had to do a powerplant that lived up to the image of this sinister sedan,” says Chris Theodore, Ford Motor Company vice president, North America Product Development. “Putting a 590-horsepower 427 in this car is like putting a Navy Seal in an Armani suit.”
The modern version of the Ford 427 concept’s power plant started off as a cloak and dagger “skunk works” project commissioned by Theodore, who wanted to know if it was feasible to craft an all-new, lightweight 427 cubic inch (7.0-liter) engine out of Ford’s highly flexible modular V-8 engine family. Ford’s Powertrain Research & Development answered the call and began working under the radar screen on a limited budget. The result shocked everyone.
The 427 engine produces a tremendous 590 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 509 foot-pounds of torque at 5500 rpm. Remarkably, the engine is almost 70 pounds lighter than the 5.4-liter 32-valve Cobra R engine from the Ford Mustang. The 427 achieves this astonishing power-to-weight ratio through the following attributes:
Siamese bore aluminum V-10 engine block based on Ford’s modular V-8 DOHC engines
Ford-pioneered metal spray process to maximize the bore at 95mm
Newly designed lightweight forged aluminum pistons with a very short compression height
Aluminum cylinder head derived from the SVT Cobra R Mustang
New billet H-beam connecting rods and billet steel common pin crankshaft for increased strength without the need for a balance shaft
Lightweight hollow stem valves
The engine technologies were developed in Ford facilities between Detroit and Dearborn. So, it was only logical to carve the “Powered By Ford” and “V-10” logo with a Redline Red finish on the billet cam covers. Above that, the engineers bolted a massive aluminum strut tower inspired from the grille. As a final touch, they added lightning bolt caps along the inner fender walls.
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I really don't think this engine and this car are going to stay together very long, and especially not until production. The concept car has a 6-speed manual, this vehicle's demographics scream for an automatic. The engine is at absolute max size, bore scuff? Trash it. This engine can't even be bored out a little. This is nothing but a tease combo. You just can't trust Ford.