Ford D3 platform
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The D3 (for "D-class" and called P2 by Volvo) is Ford's global full size car automobile platform. It was designed by Volvo in association with Ford and debuted with the Volvo S80 sedan in early 1999. The platform is designed for either front- or all wheel drive with an extended wheelbase option.
Ford's D3 is slightly different from Volvo's P2. It features steel, rather than aluminum, suspension arms, and other cost-saving measures. Ford's D3 vehicles are built at Chicago Assembly in Chicago, Illinois and were to also be built at Atlanta Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia. However, with the announced closure of that plant, Ford will consolidate all Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln D3 production in Chicago.
Note that there is also a Ford CD3 platform which is different and is based on Mazda technology.
Sales of Ford's Freestyle crossover SUV, while initially strong, have slowed. #redirect The company was to introduce a Mercury-branded version in 2007, but the Freestyle will instead be redesigned and take on an appearance similar to the recent Ford Fairlane concept and be earmarked to replace Ford's current minivans, the Freestar and, its Mercury sibling, the Monterrey. The Fairlane concept was originally built on the CD3 platform but it was decided that the 2007 Ford Edge crossover will make use of this platform instead. To avoid redundancy with the Edge with the prospect of a CD3-based Fairlane, the redesigned Freestyle will adopt elements of the Fairlane concept and effectively become a production version of the concept, though it will retain the Freestyle name and remain on the D3 platform. The Mercury version will no longer be produced.
Vehicles currently using this platform include the following:
- 1999–2007 Volvo S80 (P23)
- 2001– Volvo S60 (P24)
- 2001– Volvo V70 (P26E)
- 2002– Volvo V70XC (P26L)
- 2003– Volvo XC70 (P26L)
- 2003– Volvo XC90 (P28)
- 2005– Ford Five Hundred sedan (D258)
- 2005– Ford Freestyle station wagon (D219) - will be redesigned and take on appearance of the Fairlane concept for 2008 while remaining on D3 platform
- 2005– Mercury Montego sedan (D333)
- 2009 Lincoln MKS (Lincoln LS replacement sedan - D385) (FWD and AWD V-6/V-8)
- 2009 Lincoln Crossover SUV or Minivan (D472)
- 2009 Ford Freestyle/Fairlane (D471)
- 2007 Mercury Magellan SUV/station wagon
D3 2
The D3 platform is expected to be redesigned for the 2010 model year introductions.
Future D3 2 vehicles:
- 2010 Ford Five Hundred
- 2010 Mercury Montego
- 2011 Ford Freestyle
- 2011 Mercury Crossover
E
A possible E platform spinoff is expected to replace the Ford Panther platform. It is reported to be a rear wheel drive/all wheel drive derivative of the D3.
Future E vehicles:
- 2009 Lincoln Town Car large sedan (E385)
- 2009 Ford Crown Victoria
- 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
- 2009 Lincoln Continental large sedan (E386) (V8 AWD)
See also
Current Ford platforms:- B3 - subcompact FWD (ex: Mazda2)
- C1 - compact FWD (ex: Mazda3)
- CD2 - small SUV FWD/AWD (ex: Ford Escape)
- CD3 - mid-size FWD/AWD (ex: Mazda6)
- EUCD - mid-size FWD/AWD (ex: Volvo S80)
- D2C - sports RWD (ex: Ford Mustang)
- P2/P3 - full-size pickup (ex: Ford F-Series)
- U2/U3 - mid-size SUV (ex: Ford Explorer)
- T1 - full-size SUV (ex: Ford Expedition)
- V2 - minivan (ex: Ford Freestar)
- VN - full-size van (ex: Ford Econoline)
- D3 - full-size FWD/AWD (ex: Volvo S60)
- DEW98 - mid-size RWD (ex: Jaguar S-Type)
- Panther - full-size RWD (ex: Ford Crown Victoria)
- VH - sports RWD (ex: Aston Martin DB9)
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