The Ford Five Hundred (code name D258) is a large fullsize sedan produced by the Ford Motor Company. Available powertrains consist of a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 engine, and the choice of a continuously-variable-transmission or six-speed automatic transmission, and either front wheel drive or the same Haldex all wheel drive system used in the Volvo XC90.
Based on the Ford D3 platform which also supports the Volvo S60 and S80 sedans and XC70 and XC90 SUVs, the Five Hundred has a twin in the Mercury Montego sedan (code name D333), and is also the basis for the Ford Freestyle SUV (code name D219).
The Five Hundred was designed to provide large car interior volume with manageable outside dimensions while delivering good fuel economy. Its design is also notably tall for a sedan, giving drivers an SUV or minivan like command of the road. Its trunk, one of the largest on the market, can hold 8 full-sized loaded golf bags. The Five Hundred was first introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Trim lines include SE, SEL, and Limited with front- and all-whell drive available across the range. Base prices start at US$22,795 (for a FWD SE) and range to US$28,495 (for an AWD Limited). The Five Hundred is the lowest MSRP starting cost in its catogory.
The Five Hundred will be the largest in a line of sedans by Ford (smallest to largest):
The Five Hundred began production on July 12, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois and will be available to customers by the beginning of the 2005 model year, around mid-September 2004.
In North America, the name "500" recalls the Fairlane 500 and Galaxie 500 models of the 1950s through 1970s.
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