Ford Introduces High-Efficiency EcoBoost Technology To Australia
March 15, 2011
* Ford EcoBoost delivers the performance of a larger capacity engine with the fuel economy of a much smaller unit
* EcoBoost combines direct injection and turbocharging to deliver reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 20 per cent compared to conventional petrol engines
* Mondeo spearheads local launch of high-efficiency EcoBoost technology with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection turbocharged petrol engine
Ford Australia today announced the introduction of Ford Motor Company's patented high-efficiency EcoBoost engine technology to the Australian market.
Ford's high-performance, fuel-saving EcoBoost engine technology will make its Australian debut in mid-2011, marking another major milestone in Ford Australia's plan to bring a range of sustainability initiatives to market, following the launch of Australia's first locally-produced diesel vehicle, the new SZ Territory.
Mondeo will spearhead the local launch of this new generation power-train technology, which uses direct injection and turbocharging to deliver more power and performance from a lower displacement power-plant, yet with impressive fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.
“Our new family of Ford EcoBoost petrol engines, which are being rolled out around the globe, represent a key element of Ford Motor Company's global 'Blueprint for Sustainability',” Bob Graziano, President & CEO, Ford Australia said.
“We believe that these engines will provide customers with a genuinely attractive alternative to diesel or hybrid power units, delivering highly competitive fuel economy and cost-of-ownership, along with the responsive performance and wide rev range that have made petrol engines the favoured choice for so many drivers.”
Mondeo will be first local Ford model to benefit from the global family of EcoBoost engines, utilising an EcoBoost 2.0-litre four cylinder direct injection turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 149 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque.
The 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine will be available on Mondeo Zetec and Titanium hatch models when it goes on sale mid year, in addition to the existing 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, which is already available across the range.
The 2.3-litre Duratec petrol engine will remain available only on entry level LX hatch and wagon variants following the introduction of EcoBoost.
A new era in engine development
Mondeo is among the first vehicles globally to offer the all-new EcoBoost 2.0-litre engine, which heralds a new era in Ford's petrol engine development.
Featuring lightweight all-aluminium construction, the latest-generation high-pressure direct injection system, low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable camshaft timing, the EcoBoost engine has an advanced combustion system that brings new levels of performance and fuel efficiency to petrol engines in this power range.
The EcoBoost 2.0-litre engine has a maximum power output of 149 kW at 6000 rpm, combined with maximum torque of 300Nm, which is delivered across a broad 1750-4500 rpm range.
Yet even with this level of performance, fuel economy and CO2 emissions from the EcoBoost engine are significantly improved.
Compared with the previous 118 kW 2.3-litre automatic powertrain, CO2 emissions are reduced by over 17 per cent to 187 g/km, even though the new engine has 26 per cent more power and 44 per cent more torque.
The EcoBoost 2.0-litre engine is mated to a new Ford PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission that is specifically calibrated to take advantage of the engine’s power curve. The gearbox includes a new torque converter for improved driving feel, smoother shifting and greater fuel economy through revised gear ratios.
With significant improvements to torque output and fuel efficiency, Mondeo EcoBoost generates over 30 per cent more torque than its key petrol engine competitors in the Medium segment, while at the same time delivering up to 10 per cent better fuel efficiency.
About EcoBoost
Ford Motor Company's global EcoBoost engine family is the cornerstone of its near-term sustainability plan to deliver high-volume, affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles that customers around the world both want and value.
EcoBoost is also an integrated part of Ford’s global mid- and long-term sustainability strategy. Combined with advanced multi-speed transmissions, electric power steering, weight reductions and aerodynamic improvements, EcoBoost will help Ford address the world’s energy challenges without sacrificing the joy of driving.
The EcoBoost family of engines features direct petrol injection, turbocharging and twin independent variable camshaft timing to maximise combustion efficiency, resulting in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduced by up to 20 per cent compared to conventional petrol engines with a similar power output.
The range of EcoBoost engines for Australian products will launch with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit for Mondeo in mid-2011, followed by the first global application of an EcoBoost engine in a rear-wheel drive vehicle in Falcon.
"The Mondeo was the first Ford vehicle in Australia to include elements of our 'kinetic design' styling language and, more importantly, it began to change the way that many people thought about the Ford brand," Graziano said.
"Mondeo will again take on the role of pioneer for the introduction of this new and innovative technology that characterises Ford's ambitious product launch calendar for 2011."
Over the next 12 months close to 85 per cent of Ford Australia's vehicle line-up will be all-new or significantly updated.
Opportunity to downsize
The core strategy behind EcoBoost is to downsize engine capacity so that larger naturally-aspirated engines can be replaced by much smaller units without sacrificing power output.
A key advantage of the EcoBoost approach to downsizing is a petrol engine that uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions. When combined with the use of turbocharging and other power-train technologies, it also delivers significantly improved torque and the performance of a larger capacity engine.
The performance boost offered by turbocharging typically results in a 50 per cent increase in torque, so there is a significant opportunity to downsize capacity while still providing a potential performance benefit.
The advantages of downsizing also include improved efficiency through reduced internal friction, lower pumping losses, and lighter weight – which also makes the engine warm up more quickly. This helps to ensure that the real-world fuel economy benefits of EcoBoost engines are delivered in all driving conditions, including both city and highway driving.
Advanced fuel-efficient power-train technology
The EcoBoost program is part of Ford’s ongoing and wide-ranging global initiative to deliver fuel-efficient power-train systems with the power and performance found in larger-displacement engines.
EcoBoost engines combine petrol direct injection with turbocharging to boost engine output, improve performance and fuel efficiency, while reducing emissions by as much as 20 per cent.
These technological advancements deliver high power ratings from lower-capacity engines, along with torque performance similar to that found on turbocharged diesels.
The key to the EcoBoost system is the harmony between the turbochargers and direct injection fuel system. The turbochargers recover energy from the exhaust that otherwise would have been wasted and put it back in the engine to gain efficiency.
Simply, the turbocharging system puts more air into the engine for more power. A compressor increases or “boosts” the pressure of the air entering the engine, while an intercooler reduces the air temperature before it enters the engine.
“Ford engineers looked at every available engine configuration, comparing power, price, economy and emissions, determining the best way to power Ford vehicles in the future,” said Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Ford Global Product Development.
“EcoBoost technology gives us everything: a combination of the performance buyers expect and fuel economy improvements they demand that, until now, has only been achievable with the latest-generation turbo diesel power-trains.”
EcoBoost petrol engines use much of the same technology that is found in today’s state-of-the-art turbo-diesels, such as:
* A high-pressure direct injection fuel system fed by a common rail that delivers a precise amount of fuel in the exact spot for fast and complete burn
* Turbocharging to create a more dense mix of air and fuel in each cylinder
* Special pistons with optimised bowls in the centre to improve combustion efficiency – these pistons are also oil-cooled, which reduces in-cylinder temperatures
* Reduced CO2 emissions and improved fuel economyJust like diesels, Ford’s EcoBoost engines deliver outstanding performance and driving enjoyment at all speeds. EcoBoost accomplishes this at less cost than a similar-displacement diesel engine.
“Ford customers have embraced EcoBoost technology because of its ability to deliver power and performance with uncompromised fuel economy,” said Kuzak.
“We’re committed to expanding its reach to more customers so they can enjoy its unique blend of power, performance and fuel economy.”
Ford plans to produce approximately 1.5 million EcoBoost engines globally by 2013 – 750,000 of these in the U.S, where availability of turbo-diesel engines in passenger cars is less widespread.
EcoBoost is already on sale in a number of Ford vehicles around the world and by 2013, will by available in 80 per cent of the company's global nameplates.
First global EcoBoost solution
Produced at Ford's Valencia Engine Plant in Spain, the EcoBoost 2.0-litre I-4 engine is the first engine in the EcoBoost lineup to go truly global.
Initially fitted to the S-MAX and Galaxy models in Europe, followed by the Edge crossover vehicle in the US and the European Mondeo lineup, it will now join the Australian Mondeo range in mid-2011.
A more powerful version of this engine will follow for the Australian market over the next 12 months, when Falcon EcoBoost is introduced, demonstrating how this technology is quickly migrating around the world as customers look for the perfect balance of horsepower with fuel economy. EcoBoost contributes over 125 new U.S. patents
Ford holds more than 125 patents and patent applications on its EcoBoost technology, adding to the company's current roster of 4,618 active, and thousands of pending, U.S patents.
EcoBoost power-train management innovations make up the bulk of the technology's patents and patent applications, and involve the proprietary methods Ford uses to eliminate turbo lag and create a seamless, powerful driving experience.
The Ford power-train management strategy uses hundreds of thousands of lines of computer code and related parameters that are adjusted to optimise the engine and transmission operation.
Ford Introduces High-Efficiency EcoBoost Technology To Australia
Be The First