Ford Announces 1.0-Liter Turbo Three-Cylinder EcoBoost for U.S.-Market Fiesta (Maybe Focus, Too)

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 |

View the original article here

Jaguar Planning Brand New V-6 Engine for XF (and Maybe XJ)

April 26, 2011 at 5:40pm by Justin Berkowitz

Perhaps you read in this week’s Financial Times that Jaguar is looking at building a new factory for engine construction in the UK. What the company hasn’t said—but thanks to our sources, we can now confirm—is that the added production capacity will allow the Jaguar to begin construction of a brand-new six-cylinder engine. The engine should come to the U.S. in the XF, and possibly even in the XJ.

At present, every Jaguar sold in the U.S. comes with an excellent 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Some are naturally aspirated and make 385 hp, while others are supercharged and produce 475 or 510 ponies. Europeans see more options for their cats: a 2.2-liter diesel four, a 3.0-liter diesel six, and the old Ford-based 3.0-liter V-6. You may remember that last engine from such groaning flops as the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 and the S-Type 3.0. Suffice it to say that the company needs a new gasoline V-6 for the U.S. market and for Europeans who want an engine designed during the current millennium. (Jag also needs all-wheel drive, but that’s not happening any time soon.)

Given that the outgoing lump makes 240 hp, we’d expect Jaguar’s new six-pot to produce significantly more power, something comparable to the 300-plus-hp engines from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. It seems sensible that this engine would be paired to the eight-speed automatic that the company recently announced would be used in 2.2-liter diesel cars in Europe. We were told our wait for the engine wouldn’t be too long, so we figure that we’ll see it in the 2013 or 2014 model year.

Tags: Jaguar, Jaguar XF, Jaguar XJ |

View the original article here

Cadillac Planning RWD Sedan to Go After the 7-series and S-class . . . And Maybe Even the Rolls-Royce Phantom

April 25, 2011 at 3:17pm by Jens Meiners

Cadillac has talked about building a true flagship for years—the beautiful Sixteen concept, shown above, dates to 2003—and it appears that a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan is finally taking shape. The brand’s bosses have realized that the XTS, a stretched derivative of the front-wheel-drive Epsilon platform also underpinning the Buick LaCrosse and Saab 9-5, will not quite be enough to scare the Audis and BMWs of the world, let alone cement the automaker’s position building the Cadillac of automobiles.

According to insiders, Cadillac’s new flagship model will be built on a standalone rear-drive platform, dubbed Omega, rather than sharing underpinnings with the CTS or upcoming ATS. As we predicted in the past, it will be powered by six- and eight-cylinder engines, and all-wheel drive would be optional. A hybrid version could follow later, a diesel— which would account for the bulk of the vehicle’s sales in Europe—won’t. The new, impressively styled sedan will be launched in 2014 as a 2015 model.

Naturally, offering rear-wheel drive and a V-8 won’t be sufficient for Cadillac to take on the world. A Cadillac flagship pointed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series will need to be jam-packed with safety and comfort technology, and requires cabin accommodations indulgent enough to make Buckingham Palace’s interior designer weep.

And Now, to Rolls-Royce

We also have learned that General Motors is considering an even more exciting use for the Omega platform—though it’s one we’re skeptical will see the light of day. Our sources tell us that Cadillac is looking at building a super-luxury sedan to compete head-on with the likes of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. (Yes, someone at GM actually referred to Rolls-Royce’s locomotive.) It’s far from a done deal, but it would be great to see such a halo car fighting for American supremacy in billionairemobiles.

No matter what happens, we’re guessing the Cadillac Sixteen’s 13.6-liter V-16 engine won’t be nestled in the engine bay. What a shame.

Tags: Cadillac, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac Omega, Cadillac XTS |

View the original article here

Jaguar Planning Brand New V-6 Engine for XF (and Maybe XJ)

April 26, 2011 at 5:40pm by Justin Berkowitz

Perhaps you read in this week’s Financial Times that Jaguar is looking at building a new factory for engine construction in the UK. What the company hasn’t said—but thanks to our sources, we can now confirm—is that the added production capacity will allow the Jaguar to begin construction of a brand-new six-cylinder engine. The engine should come to the U.S. in the XF, and possibly even in the XJ.

At present, every Jaguar sold in the U.S. comes with an excellent 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Some are naturally aspirated and make 385 hp, while others are supercharged and produce 475 or 510 ponies. Europeans see more options for their cats: a 2.2-liter diesel four, a 3.0-liter diesel six, and the old Ford-based 3.0-liter V-6. You may remember that last engine from such groaning flops as the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 and the S-Type 3.0. Suffice it to say that the company needs a new gasoline V-6 for the U.S. market and for Europeans who want an engine designed during the current millennium. (Jag also needs all-wheel drive, but that’s not happening any time soon.)

Given that the outgoing lump makes 240 hp, we’d expect Jaguar’s new six-pot to produce significantly more power, something comparable to the 300-plus-hp engines from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. It seems sensible that this engine would be paired to the eight-speed automatic that the company recently announced would be used in 2.2-liter diesel cars in Europe. We were told our wait for the engine wouldn’t be too long, so we figure that we’ll see it in the 2013 or 2014 model year.

Tags: Jaguar, Jaguar XF, Jaguar XJ |

View the original article here