2008 Ford Five Hundred

2008 Ford Five Hundred
Ford's big Five Hundred sedan is about to get what auto-industry insiders call a mid-cycle facelift. To new car shoppers, that translates to revised styling, a quieter interior, more horsepower and more safety features.

Introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2008 Ford Five Hundred could give the Blue Oval brand a higher profile in a class it once dominated with the Taurus. The improvements should make a car with some obvious strengths better rounded, and more appealing to wider group of buyers.

Since its launch as a 2005 model, the Five Hundred has been criticized as having overly conservative, derivative styling. The new version gets a fresh look inspired by the midsize Fusion sedan, which has been selling better. Revisions start with Ford's new three-bar grille and flatter, rectangular Fusion-look headlights. A sculpted hood adds a hint more detail, and the side mirrors are smaller and more aerodynamically shaped.

Beyond styling, Ford has addressed another criticism frequently leveled against the Five Hundred: insufficient power to get its 3700 pounds rolling with any kind of enthusiasm. Horsepower increases 30 percent, thanks to the company's new 260-hp Duratec 35 V6. All-wheel drive, rare in this class, will remain an option. The Five Hundred also gets Ford's new six-speed automatic transmission. As a result, EPA mileage ratings are expected to remain at 21 mpg city, 29 highway, in spite of the substantial power infusion.