Engineering:Ford D186 platform

Ford D186 platform
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Also called	Ford DN101 platform
Production	1986-2007
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size (D)
Layout	FF transverse
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 3-door minivan
Vehicles	Ford Taurus Mercury Sable Lincoln Continental Ford Windstar
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Fox platform (Long wheelbase)
Successor	D3 and CD3 (Cars) Ford V platform (Minivans)

The Ford D186 platform is a automobile platform produced by Ford Motor Company from 1986 to 2007. Developed to transition the midsize Ford and Mercury sedan range to front-wheel drive, the D186 platform served as the replacement for the sedan model ranges of the Ford Fox platform. In 1988, it became the basis of an all-new Lincoln Continental, introducing front-wheel drive to the Lincoln division.

In 1995, the platform was expanded further as Ford introduced its first front-wheel drive minivan, the Ford Windstar.

Models

• 1986–2007 Ford Taurus
• 1986–2005 Mercury Sable
• 1988–2002 Lincoln Continental
• 1995–1998 Ford Windstar

Replacement

For the 1999 model year, the Ford Windstar was shifted to the Ford V platform, designed from the ground up for minivan use. After rebranding it as the Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey, Ford discontinued the platform in 2007.

Following the 2002 model year, the Lincoln Continental was withdrawn by Lincoln, leaving the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. Ford ended production of the D186 following the 2007 model year, following a model shift.

Initially, the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable were slated to be replaced by two separate model ranges: the smaller Mazda-based Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan (CD3 platform) as well as the larger Volvo-derived Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego (D3 platform). The Mercury Sable was withdrawn in 2005, with the Ford Taurus ending production in 2007. For 2008, both nameplates were shifted to the D3 model range.