The Ford CD3 platform is the name of a Ford Motor Company vehicle architecture designed to underpin front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive mid-size cars and crossovers.
Developed in collaboration with Mazda, the CD3 platform was the successor to two architectures – the Ford CDW27 and Mazda G architectures. The platform also serves as the basis for some of Ford’s early hybrid powertrains.
Some of the key features of the CD3 architecture are its short long arms (SLA) independent double wishbone front suspension with a stabilizer bar. According to Ford, this feature gave the vehicles that utilized the platform sports-car like driving dynamics.
CD3 also marked Ford’s first fully “digital” car, which led to lower development costs and quicker production times. The technologies used to develop the platform allowed Ford engineers to virtually build an entire car prior to initiating construction, which improved overall fit and finish and simplified assembly methods.
The Ford CD3 platform underpinned the following vehicles:
- Ford Fusion (2006 – 2012)
- Ford Edge (2007 – 2014)
- Lincoln MKZ / Zephyr (2006 – 2012)
- Lincoln MKX (2007 – 2015)
- Mercury Milan (2006 – 2011)
This CD3 platform was discontinued in 2015, when it was replaced by the Ford CD4 platform. However, the CD3 architecture is still used by Chinese automaker FAW under license from Ford.
Ford CD3 Platform - Vitals
| Type | Unibody welded steel |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Supported Vehicle Type | Car, crossover (CUV) |
| Suspension Type (front) | Double wishbone |
| Suspension Type (rear) | Multi-link independent |
| Layout | Front-engine FWD/AWD |
| Powerplant Layout | Transverse |
| Predecessor | Ford CDW27 / Mazda G |
| Successor | CD4 |
Ford CD3 Platform - Supported Engines
| Engine | Horsepower @ RPM | Torque (lb-ft) @ RPM | Transmission | Vehicle Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L Duratec 23 | 164 @ 6,250 | 156 @ 4,250 | Five-speed manual / Five-speed automatic | Ford Fusion / Mercury Milan |
| 2.5L Duratec 25 | 169 @ 6,000 | 171 @ 4,500 | Six-speed automatic / CVT | Ford Fusion / Lincoln MKZ Hybrid / Mercury Milan |
| 3.0L Duratec 30 | 221 @ 6,250 | 205 @ 4,800 | Six-speed automatic | Ford Fusion / Lincoln Zephyr / Mercury Milan |
| 3.5L Duratec 35 | 285 @ 6,500 | 253 @ 4,000 | Six-speed automatic | Ford Edge |
Future Models
CD3 has been discontinued since 2015. There are no plans for any future models to use the architecture, since it was replaced by the Ford CD4 platform.
Availability
The only current vehicle to ride on the Ford CD3 platform is the Chinese-market Besturn midsize sedan manufactured by Chinese carmaker FAW.
Discussion
Discuss the Ford CD3 platform and the vehicles it underpinned in our Ford forum.
News
Follow our coverage of Ford CD3 platform news.
