Ford preps bent-eight oil burner

Newswheel staff :: 10 April 2006 :: Filed under Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Europe & UK

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First units roll off the production line

Ford has begun production of its latest and greatest diesel power plant. The first examples of the new 3.6-litre turbodiesel V8 began rolling off the production line at Ford’s Dagenham facility last week. The engine kicks out 270bhp and will very likely turn up in Jaguars S and XJ as well as the full Land Rover range, including the Discovery, the Range Rover Sport and the flagship full-sized Rangie.

Healthy though that 270bhp figure may be, it’s well short of the silly numbers cranked out by diesel V8s from the usual German suspects. Both Audi and MB will do you a four-litre-plus blown oil burner capable of well over 300bhp. And of course, VW has its own 5.0-litre V10 monster which kicks out a scary 554lb/ft to go with its 310bhp.

Whatever, just like Ford’s highly regarded 2.7-litre V6 derv drinker, the new lump was co-developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen, though it’s not clear what models from the French outfit’s range will be benefiting from eight-pot diesel power. No official word, as yet, on when the first Jag and LR products powered by the new motor will appear. But expect announcements in the next few weeks.