That's right; it's back. A year has passed since Ford Motor Company eliminated the concept of its V8 powerhouse, allowing the Hemis and Vortechs to take the spotlight. Sources familiar with the Ford Hurricane have stated that Mark Fields, Ford Americas group leader, resurrected the high-performance engine project three months ago as part of the Way Forward plan. It just goes to show that nothing is for certain when drastic changes are being made in restructuring efforts.

Ford had previously discontinued the project due to the economic and consumer concerns regarding escalating fuel prices. While those concerns have not been quelled, the bigger concern of GM and DaimlerChrysler seizing the pickup truck market has given the project new life.

Several critics were displeased with the dropping of the initial project. "It was a dumb program to kill," said Jim Hall, an analyst with AutoPacific in Southfield. The assertion that the demand and price for fuel is quite dynamic Ford's decision to make strategic, short-term versus tactical decision proved to be detrimental while the competition continued down the path of consistency.

Let's not get the cart before the horse, however. Dearborn has a lot of planning to do and such planning and design will not likely provide product before 2008. The engine will likely be entirely new, requiring additional prep times for assembly and installation. Preliminary suggestions have mentioned the Hurricane engine being used in other platforms as well; a interesting promise for new power in other arenas.

Bottom line: the original concept may have been too powerful and costly to make now it's been proven it is too costly not to make.