The Ford 3.0L Duratec 30 engine received many technological firsts for its time thanks to inputs from Porsche and Cosworth. Components like an aluminum engine block and cylinder heads were all standard, as well as cylinders lined with cast iron and a sequential fuel injection system, as well as fracture-split forged powder metal connecting rods, and an assembled cast aluminum intake manifold.

In 2006, the engine received an important update by way of variable valve timing (VVT), further increasing horsepower and torque outputs. The Ford Duratec 30 engine powers the following vehicles:

Ford Escape
Ford Five Hundred
Ford Freestyle
Ford Fusion
Ford Taurus
Lincoln Zephyr
Mercury Mariner
Mercury Milan
Mercury Montego
Mercury Sable