Ford adds three EcoBoost engines for 2010, I-4 possible for Falcon

By Tim Beissmann | April 15th, 2010

Ford Motor Co will launch three more EcoBoost engines by the end of 2010, including the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit that may be destined for the Falcon in 2011.

The new I-4 is expected to generate around 172kW/325Nm and consume as little as 8.0 litres/100km and has been confirmed for the next generation models of the Ford Explorer and Ford Edge.

The other new engines include a 1.6-litre four-cylinder for the European C-Max people-mover and a 3.5-litre V6 for the F-150 truck.

The new fuel-saving engines are part of Ford’s plan to ramp up EcoBoost production to 1.5 million units globally by 2013, 200,000 more than originally anticipated.

Ford vice president of powertrain engineering, Barb Samardzich, said the company expects around half of those to be sold outside North America, with the aim to have an EcoBoost engine available across 80 percent of its global nameplates.

“We are focused on sustainable technology solutions that can be used not for hundreds or thousands of cars, but for millions of cars, because that’s how Ford will truly make a difference,” she said.

While the first generation of EcoBoost engines are steadily rolling out, Ford director of powertrain research and advanced engineering, Dan Kapp, revealed work is already underway on the second-generation technology.

“We are trying to get in front of the pack in leveraging EcoBoost for fuel economy.

“It’s going to be a trend in the industry, and we can’t rest on our laurels for one minute. We are going to keep wringing more efficiency out of EcoBoost,” Mr Kapp said.

The new technology will continue to focus on downsizing engines and incorporating more efficient turbochargers, more precisely controlled direct-injection systems and optimum gearing of transmissions, all aimed at running the engine in its “sweet spot” more often.

By the end of 2012, Ford says 98 percent of its North American vehicles will be equipped with six-speed transmissions with the goal to improve fuel economy by four to six percent.

By 2014 the ambition is to equip as many as 20 percent of Ford’s global nameplates with stop/start engine technology, which can also reduce fuel and emissions by around five percent.

Ford has already committed $US1 billion to its electric vehicle future. The Transit Connect Electric will be launched later this year, followed by the Focus Electric in 2011. A hybrid and plug-in hybrid will also be built off Ford’s global C platform in the near future.

http://CarAdvice The Salesman.

This is why Ford was the only American car manufacture not to go bust. Solid, forward thinking management.

zahmad

Because they put money into their European operations and use their technologies for further development!

john

and the sold off everything that they could to keep afloat.

http://CarAdvice The Salesman.

Sometimes you have to go backwards. In order to be able to move forwards

Andrew M

Thats right, they didnt need additional liabilities around their neck

Al Juraj

They’re also the first American manufacturer to move away from pushrods. I think none of their current cars have this engine type anymore.

AB

That engine picture reminds of the Escort BDA Twin Cam engines.
Could this end up being the successor to the legends?

Stig’s Australian Uncle

A bit of metallic Ford engine Blue going on there too?
daan

No, because it will always sound like a diesel and not one of those great sounding little engines.

AB

How can it sound like a Diesel when it is a petrol?

Shak

trust me some petrol turbo’s when cold do tend to be very diesel-ish.

http://www.facebook.com/matthew.pinches Matthew Pinches

Actually the sound is caused by direct injection, as direct injection works similar to a diesel, the high pressure injection helps to ignite the fuel so spark plugs are only really used until operating temperature is achieved

http://dcwj.deviantart.com/ Super Mattthew

err… “may”? Ford’s already confirmed the 4-cylinder EcoBoost Falcon… a certain other aussie auto news site has a pretty big article about it.
Shak

his is the only Good tat will come from Ford of OZ going global. Even if the Falcon dies and we get the Taurus(I hope not), at least the engines will be little crackers. I just hope Ford don’t do the stupid thing and put that 4 cylinder in the Falcon, because then Holden’s marketing department will convince the public that the Falcon is evil.

Low Water Crossing

Untill someone does a test Vs the 3.0sidi,then the boot will be on the other foot.

Mitch

If the 3.5 v6 is enough to move a truck, it should be enough to move a falcon pretty quickly.

Andrew M

Not only that, but if the 2.0L ecoboost is going to get the Explorer moving whilst only drinking 8.0L, Surely a better geared and lighter Falcon should do well.
I still think the 2.0L will be the base model/fleet dunger motor though.

Those that buy the Falcon privatly will still want torque in the 400nm bracket like it is today.

Im even keener to see what motors Ford Aus has come up with, in particular the DI-LPG with a 6sp ZF

Al Juraj

The 4-litre Aussie six needs to be developed more. Ford has gone as far as giving the Mustang a 3.7 V6 almost as powerful as the 3-valve 4.6 V8. Our homegrown inline engine still has a lot of potential. It’s proven to be robust, but further tweaks on the head would make it even better for performance and possibly economy.

Ford have been doing quite well with engines but marketing needs to be better. Whatever engine goes into the Falcon in the future should be great; all that matters is that it lives on. They’ve done it with the Mustang where its Camaro and Challenger rivals died for quite a while only to copy the retro pony car recipe yet again. The real Aussie big car is comfortably beaten by its inferior pretender so it’s time things turn around.

Simon

Sure the I6 has a lot of potential, but none of it will be realised while it is a 4.0L I6. The problem is linked to torsional rigity. The I6 requires an iron block for strength. Iron blocks take longer to warm up, and while they are warming up they release a lot of toxic polutants.
Perhaps Ford will need to scale the I6 down to a smaller capacity which will mean it’s torque will be contained by an alloy block.
Direct injection would then provide a natural step forward.

Tom22

Ford is an amazing company, as a Holden fan, Ford are the new global benchmark for changing directions in a very short period of time.

Shak

I think either KIA or Hyundai would be in that Position. Going from dowdy boring products, to economical, good looking, powerful and all round goo products.

Prius Pensioner

I would have to disagree. While Hyundai/Kia are much better manufacturers than they used to be, they are not at the top yet. Let me give some examples:

* Kia Cerato: a nice looking looking car, although interior is very cheap, no ESC standard, four-speed automatic, et cetera.

* Kia Sorrento: the price gap is not as pronounced as in previous Kias. Overall, it’s a good car, but not class-leading.

* Hyundai i30: I don’t see the appeal in this one. The styling is very derivative. Granted, it is cheap and has standard ESC, six airbags, et cetera.

* Hyundai ix35: probably the odd-one out. This seems to be a very good value-for-money package. I just cannot stand the front-end styling to be honest. The same goes with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (the naturally aspirated Sonata looks very nice though).

Shak

Yes but he said changing direction in a very short period of time. Ford have always had these sorts of technologies, they are just continually improving. KIA/Hyundai have come out of nowhere with this stunning product. While they have a couple of niggles ,its nothing too major.

JooberGTi

I think more of the fact that a company as Ford coming from Big blocks and displacement to small economy is more of a drastic move than a Kia or Hyundai. Its a massive change in business direction and one that will hope bring competition to the small and perhaps eventually asian markets…

Jp

I wonder if with a eco boost engine we will see the F150′s sold as a domestic product, the big brother to the rangers in the Aus ford line up?

FTSII

I would definitely love to see F-150′s sold here in showrooms. I have always been a big fan of them.

Jp

i second that, aslong as they aren;t a monstrousity, which lookin at the photo the dimensions llok reasonable? however wouldn’t be able to afford the upgrade

Valet Dabess

can i please have the 2 litre please?

Andrew M

Of Milk??

Valet Dabess

hahahahaha

AAA

I see a timing belt and not chains. Extra $800 servicing cost every 60,000km else $5,000 repair cost due to bent valves. FAIL ~

Muse

Well don’t buy one then.

Richo

Honestly if you buy a F150 truck with a V6, expect your s exuality to be frequently questioned…
mmmmmm

Mmmmmm

My Fiesta has a timing belt needs changing at 150,000kms. Ford know what they are doing with timing belts not like Daewoo Holden 60,0000kms
Lynchy

Yeah great engine that should find it’s way in to a lot of engine bays, Fords global products and tech are heading in the right direction, Ford Australias biggest problem is getting this fantastic gear to the market quick enough.

Fords OZ sales are dropping monthly, they desperately need a shot in the arm, the following products are on the radar:

Falcon/FPV: New V8 – suppose to be Jul but could end up being closer to November.
Falcon/FPV FG2: Jul but probably won’t be any big changes outside of the V8.
Falcon/FPV: DI LPG & 4 cyl ecoboost – 2011.
Territory Diesel: 2011 .
Next Gen Focus: Mid to Late 2011 if where lucky.
Kuga: On the radar but wont be before late 2011 early 2012 at best.
New Ranger: 2011/12

Only problem with all this stuff is how far away it is, no doubt they will be great products but sometimes it is possible to miss the boat, as a fan of the blue oval I hope not. It’s one thing thats impressed me about Holden over the last 10 years, they seem to react to market changes quicker, that and their marketing, their biggest problem is GMs parts bin technologically speaking isn’t a great as Fords but hopefully that’s changing, I’d like to see the 2.8 Turbo insignia on sale in Australia.
Lynchy

Yeah great engine that should find it’s way in to a lot of engine bays, Fords global products and tech are heading in the right direction, Ford Australias biggest problem is getting this fantastic gear to the market quick enough.

Fords OZ sales are dropping monthly, they desperately need a shot in the arm, the following products are on the radar:

Falcon/FPV: New V8 – suppose to be Jul but could end up being closer to November.
Falcon/FPV FG2: Jul but probably won’t be any big changes outside of the V8.
Falcon/FPV: DI LPG & 4 cyl ecoboost – 2011.
Territory Diesel: 2011. Should of been here 4 years ago.
Next Gen Focus: Mid to Late 2011 if where lucky. Can’t come soon enough.
Kuga: On the radar but wont be hear before late 2011 early 2012 at best.
New Ranger: 2011/12

Only problem with all this stuff is how far away it is, no doubt they will be great products but sometimes it is possible to miss the boat, as a fan of the blue oval I hope not. It’s one thing thats impressed me about Holden over the last 10 years, they seem to react to market changes quicker, that and their marketing, their biggest problem is GMs parts bin technologically speaking isn’t as great as Fords but hopefully that’s changing, I’d like to see the 2.8 Turbo insignia on sale in Australia.
http://www.caradvice.com Macs for me

How amazing are all these post’s, & not one has bagged Ford…thats gotta be some sort of record.

But having said that, it does seem that finally, Ford are moving quicker into more market attractive technologies, I only hope they dont take the sucker tablet & go down the hybrid path as I believe hybrids are a false economy.

Cheers
adam (aka mada)

I thought the 2.0 Ecoboost engine was already confirmed for the first quarter of 2011?
Can’t wait to see how it performs in the FG, Ford may actually make some real world fuel economy gains unlike the 3.0 SIDI in VE.
robbo

The engine’s are really good, really good effort of them to get that performance out of a 4 cyl. but my biggest problem with these ecoboost engines (not the engine itself) is people don’t want these engines in every vehicle. as if you want a V6 as a flagship engine in an F-150. you’d want a big block. fuel economy improvements on bigger engines would appeal to most Ford fans
http://www.pickuptrucksusa.com/ 4×4 pickup trucks

It was great to learn about Ford’s new EcoBoost Engine technology, the blog articles clearly proved to be tremendous in terms of quality and original content. I like the way the author has described important details.
Don

Great engines.
Does anyone know when/if we are getting EcoBoost engined Mondeos in Oz?