June 2, 2011 at 10:50am by Justin Berkowitz and Erik Johnson
Ford just announced plans for a direct-injected, turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, joining BMW among major automakers who intend to offer such a powerplant. The Blue Oval says that the tiny mill will find its way into U.S.-market Fiestas, with availability possibly expanding to the Focus, too. No word as of yet on whether the C-Max mini-minivan, a platform mate of the Focus, will get the three.
A broad torque curve is promised, as is performance on par with the Fiesta’s current naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four, which makes 120 hp and 112 lb-ft. The new engine—we’re told it’s an all-new block, not just a chopped-down four—weighs some 20 pounds less than the 1.6, and will feature an integrated cylinder head and exhaust manifold, which is intended to give the engine a wider power band, and optimum fueling throughout the RPM range. Included with the new engine is a split cooling system, meant to minimize warm-up times, as well as a friction-reducing offset crankshaft.
Ford promises that the three will replace a four-cylinder engine in its U.S. powertrain portfolio—we’re guessing the aforementioned 1.6-liter four that’s in today’s Fiesta is on the chopping block—and that the little three pot will debut at this fall’s Frankfurt auto show.
With the introduction of the triple, Ford says it will offer an EcoBoost option for 90 percent of the models it sells in the U.S. by 2013. The 1.0-liter engine will be the lowest-displacement engine Ford has ever put into production. While we like the general info we’ve heard so far, the 1.0 had better be darn good if it’s going to convince Americans that three-cylinders and a single liter is sufficient for our highways. At the very least, Rod Farva will be happy with his liter-a-motor.
Tags: EcoBoost, engines, Ford, Ford Fiesta, three-cylinder, turbocharged |
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