All-New, Fuel-Efficient 1.0-Liter Ford EcoBoost Engine to Debut in European Focus Range

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  

• All-new engine will debut in the European Ford Focus early in 2012 – offering the performance of a conventional 1.6-liter engine with less than 120 g/km CO2 emissions

• Smallest EcoBoost® engine features advanced turbocharging technology, improved twin variable camshaft design and intelligent ancillaries to deliver performance that belies its small size

• Other European Fords to benefit from this new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine include the C-MAX in 2012, followed later by the highly acclaimed all-new Ford B-MAX

Ford confirmed the first production applications for its smallest-ever EcoBoost® engine at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. With only three cylinders and 1.0 liter of displacement, the new EcoBoost engine will provide fuel-efficient power for three models in the European product range – first the Ford Focus, followed by Ford C-MAX and the all-new Ford B-MAX.

The new 1.0-liter engine is the latest addition to Ford's global family of EcoBoost engines, which currently range in capacity from 1.6 to 3.5 liters globally. Downsized EcoBoost engines feature turbocharging, direct injection and other technologies, and replace larger engines with no loss of performance and with lower consumption.

Ford will introduce two versions of the 1.0-liter engine in the Focus in Europe in early 2012, with 98 horsepower and 118 horsepower and five-speed and six-speed manual transmissions, respectively. Ultimately, this all-new engine will be made available in Ford models in North America, China and in other regions.

"By offering the Focus with an advanced small-displacement petrol engine, Ford is not only making a major statement on how serious we are about engine downsizing – it also shows the strength of our development and engineering capabilities," said Graham Hoare, executive director, Powertrain, Ford of Europe. "To produce a 1.0-liter EcoBoost petrol engine with such impressive performance and fuel economy is a clear example of our commitment to be class-leading in fuel economy."

With its 1.0-liter capacity, the three-cylinder EcoBoost engine will be the smallest engine currently produced by Ford. Yet despite its small capacity and proportions, the forward-thinking design delivers power and performance to rival a traditional 1.6-liter gas engine while emitting less than 120 g/km CO2 in the Focus.

Compact and responsive

Developed at Ford's Dunton Technical Centre in the U.K., this direct-injected EcoBoost engine features a new compact, high-performance turbocharger design. The extremely fast response of the turbocharger and its ability to reach nearly 250,000 rpm results in virtually no turbo lag and peak torque of 125 lb.-ft. from 1,300 to 4,500 rpm in the 118-horsepower variant.

The all-new EcoBoost engine also features an exhaust manifold cast into the cylinder head, which lowers the temperature of the exhaust gases and in turn enables the engine to run with the optimum fuel-to-air ratio across a wider rev band.

An advanced "split cooling" system reduces fuel consumption by warming the engine more quickly and – unlike the larger EcoBoost engines – cast iron has been selected for the block, reducing the amount of energy needed for warm-up by up to 50 percent compared to aluminum.

Intelligent ancillaries such as a variable air-conditioning compressor and oil pump also reduce demand on the engine – improving economy and emissions – while special coatings for engine components and intricate development of engine geometry result in minimal frictional losses.

Ford Auto-Start-Stop, active grille shutters and Smart Regenerative Charging will also be available as part of the Focus and C-MAX 1.0-liter EcoBoost package.

Like its larger-capacity siblings, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will use twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) to further improve performance and economy. Ford has also employed an all-new camshaft actuator to speed up response times without sacrificing durability.

Smooth and refined

In the all-new 1.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine, the emphasis in development has been on delivering both smooth and refined performance.

Engine refinement is improved thanks to an innovative design that immerses the two main engine drive belts in oil – resulting in quieter and more efficient running, but with the durability of a chain. Careful attention has also been paid to mitigating the natural vibrations of the three-cylinder design.

Rather than employ the traditional method of adding energy-draining balancer shafts, Ford engineers have deliberately "unbalanced" the flywheel and pulley to offset the engine configuration. Ford believes these innovations, combined with optimized engine mounts, will deliver a truly refined performance feel perfected during nearly 450,000 miles of tests – including 225,000 miles of durability trials and more than 6,200 miles of environmental testing.

"The 1.0-liter EcoBoost is one of the most advanced engines Ford has ever produced and makes use of so many innovative techniques and technologies that it's difficult to keep count," said Hoare. "It has always been Ford's strategy with EcoBoost technology to look at every single detail in our relentless pursuit of improving fuel economy without compromising performance, and this new engine demonstrates that philosophy perfectly. The net result is an engine that we're sure will surprise and delight our customers."

Further technical details of the new Ford EcoBoost 1.0-liter engine will be provided closer to market launch across Europe in early 2012.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordmotorcompany.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company