Ford D3 platform

The Ford D3 platform differs slightly from the original configuration of the Volvo P2 architecture. To reduce production costs, Ford Motor Company adopted steel suspension arms (in place of aluminum) and similar material cost-saving measures.

In contrast to the Volvo P2 architecture, Ford adopted a common 112.9 wheelbase for each D3 variant (three inches longer than a Volvo S80, two inches shorter than a Ford Crown Victoria). In place of the inline-5 and inline-6 engines used by Volvo, Ford adopted its own Duratec V6 engines. As with the P2 platform, front-wheel drive is standard, with Haldex all-wheel drive (shared with the S80/XC90) fitted as an option.

As the first front-wheel drive full-size car platform produced by Ford, the D3 platform is also the first full-size Ford car produced with fully independent suspension, with a multi-link rear axle, coilover shocks and MacPherson front struts.[2] As with Ford Panther platform vehicles, the D3 is fitted with four-wheel disc brakes.[2]

Between the 2005 and 2019 model years, the Ford D3 platform has been utilized by Ford, Lincoln, and the (now-defunct) Mercury brands. Introduced as the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, which were re-branded as the fifth-generation Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable for 2008.

For 2009, Lincoln offered its first version, the Lincoln MKS (effectively replacing the Lincoln Continental, then-discontinued in 2002); the sixth-generation Ford Taurus was introduced for 2010.

As part of the closure of the Mercury brand, the Mercury Sable ended production after the 2009 model year. For 2017, Lincoln replaced the MKS with the revived Lincoln Continental, based on the CD4 architecture.

Vehicle Name	Image	Production	Bodystyle(s)	Model Code	Notes
D3 platform vehicles (Ford, Lincoln-Mercury)
Ford Five Hundred Ford Taurus		2004–2007 (Five Hundred)	4-door sedan	D258	First front-wheel drive full-size Ford; also sold with all-wheel drive. Five-Hundred re-branded Taurus for MY 2008–2009 with upgraded powertrain.
		2007–2009 (Taurus)
Ford Taurus		2009–2019	4-door sedan		Also branded as Ford Taurus SHO and Ford Police Interceptor Sedan.
Ford Freestyle Ford Taurus X		2004–2007 (Freestyle)	5-door crossover SUV	D219	Replaced Ford Taurus station wagon Freestyle re-branded as 2008 Taurus X in 2007 with upgraded powertrain.
		2007–2009 (Taurus X)
Mercury Montego Mercury Sable		2004–2007 (Montego)	4-door sedan	D333	First front-wheel drive full-size Mercury; also sold with all-wheel drive. Rebranded as Sable for 2008 with upgraded powertrain.
		2007–2009 (Sable)
Lincoln MKS		2008–2016	4-door sedan	D385	Replaced by 2017 Lincoln Continental (CD4) Only Lincoln version of D3 sedan platform.
D4-platform vehicles (Ford, Lincoln)
Ford Flex		2008–2019	5-door crossover SUV	D471	Replaced Ford Taurus X.
Lincoln MKT		2009–2019	5-door crossover SUV	D472	Livery version branded as MKT Town Car.
Ford Explorer		2010–2019	5-door crossover SUV	U502	First version of the Explorer built with unibody construction. Also branded as Ford Police Interceptor Utility.