Ford debuts 92kW triple with bite
2012-01-31 12:16
SMALL, YET POTENT: Ford's turbocharged three-cylinder will make its debut in the UK in the automaker's Focus range.
Ford’s state-of-the-art, turbocharged, direct injection 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine goes on sale in the UK in February, 2012, and should eventually be sold in South Africa, too. The engine was recently previewed, along with the attractive EcoSport, at New Delhi's Auto Expo.
According to Ford, this three-cylinder engine delivers performance on par with that seen in a traditional 1.6-litre petrol engine.
Available in two power levels – 74 or 92kW – the engine delivers up to 170Nm (200Nm with overboost) between 1400 and 4500rpm. Extremely compact – the cylinder block can apparently fit onto a sheet of A4 paper – the engine is efficient, too, and is said to deliver winning fuel economy and best-in-class CO2 emissions of 109 and 114g/km, respectively.
THIRD ECOBOOST
Graham Hoare, Ford Europe's executive powertrain director, said: "This is the third addition to our acclaimed EcoBoost engine family. Joining the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines, this 1.0-litre EcoBoost signals a new era of downsized, super frugal engines.
“During development our UK engineers focused on improving thermal efficiency and reducing friction of the engine's internal moving parts, especially during warm-up."
Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain managing director, said: “Gone are the days when the number of cylinders dictates performance. This highly efficient, technically advanced powertrain is not only great fun to drive, but it delivers fuel economy improvements and ultra-low CO2 emissions which lead to real world cost savings for our customers.”
According to Ford South Africa, the 2.0-litre will be the first EcoBoost engine launched in South Africa. It will make its debut in the all-new Focus ST that will be launched here "towards the end of the year".
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost will be introduced in South Africa when the EcoSport is launched here, although Ford could not confirm a date.
