Ford Eyes Twin Turbos and DSG

Ford says it is preparing a family of new twin-turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engines for a wide range of future vehicles, with benefits said to include higher performance and 25 percent better fuel economy.

The automaker also plans to introduce a new dual-clutch, six-speed PowerShift transmission to supplement its so-called TwinForce engines. And at least one Ford V8 will adapt a variable-displacement system with cylinder deactivation.

Ford provided a sneak peek earlier this year of the first TwinForce engine, a flex-fuel 3.5-liter V6 rated at 415 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. It will be installed in the new 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan, which is patterned after this year's MKR concept. The engine is known internally as the 3.5 GTTDI.

Supplier sources say the automaker also is working on a 2.5 GTTDI, a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder that could find its way into the Fusion sedan and the Edge crossover in 2009-'10. In addition, Ford is said to be developing a 5.0-liter GTTDI V8 for performance cars like the Mustang, as well as a 6.2-liter GTTDI V8 for full-size pickups and utility vehicles.

The new TwinForce engines were described last week by Ford executives as the company unveiled its 2008 product range to journalists.