[Todd Young]

Dan DiBiase wrote:
> */auditodd at comcast.net/* wrote:
> 
>     About the Five Hundred.........
>     Let's see, Volvo S80 chassis, Volvo AWD system (for those cars so
>     equipped), German CVT transmission, and body design by a German. Oh,
>     and the AWD cars have the Nivomat rear suspension. About the only
>     "Ford" item in the car is the 3.0 liter Duratec engine.
> 
> Yeah, and it's a shame that the car got stuck with that engine. I assume 
> it's essentially the same as the one in my '99 Windstar - loud, 
> inefficient and underpowered. But aren't they pumping it up soon with a 
> 270-or-so HP engine?
> How do you find it in the Five Hundred?
> 
> Dan D
> '04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
> Central NJ USA

The Duratec isn't too bad in the Five Hundred (better sound proofing 
than the Windstar?).
A bit loud under full throttle, but with the CVT (even with the added 
weight of the AWD) it can "get up and go". I've surprised quite a few 
people who think the car is a big, slow "pig".

MY2008 will offer a 3.5liter, 265hp version of the Duratec.
I might just have to "trade up".

Even better would be an "SVT" version with the Volvo 4.4liter V8 and AWD!

-- 
Todd Young