Less than three years ago, Ford launched its full-size Five Hundred sedan with much fanfare. But little acclaim was bestowed upon Ford's biggest car since the Crown Vic because of its underwhelming performance and bland styling. For 2008, Ford has significantly revised the Toyota Avalon-fighter, with changes focusing on making those two rather important aspects more, um, whelming.
Most important, the Five Hundred features a new powertrain. The standard 3.5-liter V-6 is shared with the Edge crossover and produces a competitive 260 horsepower, up from 203 horsepower from the 2007 model's 3.0-liter. Final torque figures weren't announced, but Ford did disclose that the new 3.5-liter in the Five Hundred would offer the first PZEV application for a V-6 engine. The six-speed automatic is also new for this car, as is the power-steering pump. Front shock towers supposedly impart smoother ride quality. All-wheel drive continues as an option.
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The new, more powerful Five Hundred can be identified most easily from the front, which is much more interesting this year thanks to the fitment of Ford's three-bar chrome grille and sexier rectangular headlamps. Like more and more Fords, the Five Hundred also gets available chrome side vents on the front fenders. They're the tailfins of this decade. Taillamps feature horizontal graphics to relate them visually to the front end.
Minor interior revisions round out the changes for 2008. Ford's stance is that major changes are in store for the Five Hundred's driving character. Will it be enough to make it a true competitor to the Toyota Avalon and Chrysler 300? We'll tell you once we drive it.
