Ford's "Twin-Force" powering towards production
At Ford's 2008 model year introduction event, group vice president for global product development Derek Kuzak mentioned that the same Twin-Force technology the Blue Oval unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show in the MKR concept will soon be available on production models. Even better, Kuzak says the twin boost will result in fuel efficiency on par with comparably sized diesels. Ford has more powertrain plans, too, as the folks from Dearborn, MI usher in the best of 2003 with a manual-mode "Power Shift" automatic transmission, and multiple displacement V8s.
Ford has been playing catch-up in the competitive powertrain department for years, and these new technologies will go a long way toward Ford leveling the playing field. The Twin-Force technology in particular seems very exciting, with high horsepower and above average fuel economy promised. We'll believe the diesel-like fuel economy claim when we see it, though, since diesels come with turbochargers too, and oil burners are just more efficient than gasoline powertrains.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
F451 12:37PM (7/02/2007)
Bravo Ford, Bravo!
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polar 12:43PM (7/02/2007)
So, what vehicles is this going to available in is the next question...
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Hamud 1:49PM (7/02/2007)
I heard something about the new MKS or MKZ having the TF and the Powershift. Maybe an SHO version of the Fusion too.
TriShield 12:44PM (7/02/2007)
Good news I suppose but I'd rather have Ford Australia's turbocharged inline six. Hell, I'd rather have the Falcon turbo it powers than most Ford US cars.
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2792/article.html
What exciting Ford US car are they going to put this engine in, the Mustang? The FWD Fusion?
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Nabizzle 2:22PM (7/02/2007)
How about the Intercepter concept? Which, as far as I am concerned, is a thing of sheer beauty. I would love to see it with a twin-force. You would have a gorgeous, big, safe (presumably) and powerful rear-wheel drive car with V6 gas milage. Tell me that wouldn't put the automotive world in a spin.
cowbell 1:07PM (7/02/2007)
To me, the most interesting part about the Twin Force is that it could be the first production engine that actually takes advantage of ethanol fuel's 100+ octane rating. When all these other E85 engines from Ford and GM run on E85, they're running them at standard compression, which eliminates the one advantage ethanol has over gasoline.
I can't wait to see the numbers. This engine could actually make ethanol energy competative.
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Saabyurk 3:57PM (7/02/2007)
Cowbell: Nope, Ford can't be the first. Saab already produces engines that increase horsepower an additional 20% when running on E85. The engine management system allows higher turbo boost due to the higher octane rating of ethanol. However, it will take increased compression, as in Saab's patented variable compression engine, to also increase economy.
Barney 1:08PM (7/02/2007)
"..oil burners are just more efficient than gasoline powertrains."
Gas engines are getting very close to par and because they are primarily big horsepower, the diesel efficiency may be slightly better then the equivalent horsepower in gas. Still the diesel engine is no longer being provided as a "economical engine" but a big engine "not as bad as" a gas engine. In order to be stronger, a diesel is heavier and made from larger components. If the sturdier components are being replaced to be lighter, the diesel is loosing the durability. If the alloys are lighter, then they too can be used in a gasoline engine and the gasoline engine can be stronger and smaller.
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Alan Thomas 6:17PM (7/02/2007)
Wow- looks like Ford is finally headed down the right track with some must-have technology. I'll definitely buy the car sight unseen to supplant my Grand National. This is so much sexier than the appliances the Japanese sell.
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Robert 2:28PM (7/02/2007)
One of the key reasons for this versus diesel is that the cost of producing this engine is probably a little less than a standard diesel (and probably less), but it can naturally meet SULEV and PZEV emissions standards, something that would require $3000-$5000 of equipment on the diesel.
The reason Ford has decided to slow diesel intros into the U.S. is because California (and probably states like NY and MA) will be requiring all diesels to meet SULEV II standards I think in 2010. Well, you can make that with a diesel if you add $4,000 worth of filters and converters on the exhaust, lowering efficiency and power as well, or you can think of a different approach. You'll notice that Honda will release its diesel on the Accord, but not the Civic in the U.S. and has plans for smaller hybrids versus diesel cars.
Europe benefits from emissions breaks for diesel engines. They are still held to high standards, on par with our national emissions regulations, but certainly nowhere near the requirements that California has. Europe is currently reviewing a proposal to tighten its diesel standards, and most analysts and companies believe it will add the same $3000-$5000 costs that we would see in the U.S.
This type of engine, as mentioned above, could also fully utilize the benefits of E85. If it proves that bacterial processes can produce ethanol efficiently (almost anything would be more efficient than what we currently do), these engines would be able to run at a compression ratio fitting of E85 and squeeze extra power/efficiency out of them. So, instead of seeing your horsepower drop and fuel mileage tank, you will have a minor drop in power and maybe a very slight loss in efficiency, but using a fuel produced in a carbon neutral way.
But Ford isn't totally abandoning its diesel practice. It seems very clear that they will continue to offer diesels in their truck line up, and FoE has an enormous and incredibly successful diesel practice. It's just for America, this might be the best medium-term solution until there is either 1) closer convergence of emissions requirements between states and, better yet, between countries or 2) a convergence on a preferred fuel direction (gas, diesel, ethanol, biodiesel, etc).
If Ford can get to 80% of the efficiency of a diesel with $3000 less cost, I think that's a pretty good trade-off, especially if their TT engines are the standard engines in a vehicle because, at that point, they will either outstrip the competition in performance and efficiency at the price or undercut them by thousands of dollars. Either way, if Ford does their homework, this could be a very good approach to finding that happy medium in the gas mileage/emissions/cost/environment debate.
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Hamud 3:41PM (7/02/2007)
Are you sure about the loss in power when using E85?? Here in Brazil, every Flex Fuel engine has more power running on ethanol than running on gasoline. Ford has a 1.6L Flexfuel engine (can run with 100% gas, 100% ethanol or any mix between both fuels) on the Focus that has more than 12:1 compression ratio and has a very good fuel mileage and efficiency.
Don 2:48PM (7/02/2007)
I don't know how Ford expects the TwinForce to get the same mileage as a comparably sized diesel.
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Igor Holas 3:16PM (7/02/2007)
The two turbos and DI are going to get about 25% better mileage than regular car and get better power .. so we are not comparing the 2.5l I4 TwinForce to a 2.0l I4 engine .. but to a 3.5l V6 - because the 2.5l TF will get about the same performance numbers ... Diesel would do about the same (20-30%).. the TwinForce program will probably not BEAT diesels in mileage, but it will be considerably cheaper to build and purchase.
The Diesels are not some magical engines .. they are simply efficient .. so far automakers simply never explored the efficiency limits of gasoline engines .. Now Ford, VW and Toyota are ... because Diesels in US are a tough proposition.
Igor
Igor Holas 3:12PM (7/02/2007)
2.5l I4 Twin Force good for 260+ hp will be in the next year's (2009) Fusion
3.5l V6 Twin Force good for 350 - 420 hp will be in the (209 - 2010) Mustang, (2009-2010) F150, (2009) MKS and others. An insider said that the F150 tested at 26mpg on the highway with this setup. FWD/AWD applications (MKS, Edge etc) will get detuned versions good for about 350hp, Trucks (F150, Explorer etc) will get a version tuned for low end torque making 380 ft.lbf at 2000rpm and performance applications (Mustang, SVT Truck) will get the full 420hp.
5.0l V8 Twin Force good for 450 - 500+ hp was rumored as under consideration at Ford - obvious application would be the Mustang.
6.2l V8 Twin Force good for 650 ft.lbf is to be available in 2011 F150 and Super Duty as an alternative to their Diesels.
Igor
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Don 3:38PM (7/02/2007)
Amazing power and mileage specs...let's hope they prove true.
Hamud 3:53PM (7/02/2007)
Is always nice to read your posts, they are always full of good news.
A 3.5L V6 TF 350HP SHO Fusion would be too good to be true. They could use a 2.5L without turbo on the Fusion as an entry model, then the 2.5L I4 TF with 260HP as an option and the SHO as the Sport version.
naggs 3:55PM (7/02/2007)
i find it hard to believe that mustangs would move to a ttv6. i mean the mustang is its engine and the engine is a v8. to seperate the two would be... i dont even know. just seems wrong to me.
cant argue with the hp and mpg if they turn out
2.5l twin turbo direct inject 4 cyl in the 09' fusion? i find that hard to believe. that would be a brand spanking new engine from the block up. it took ford like 3 years to get the 3.5 v6 into vehicles, i will believe it when i see it.
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Igor Holas 4:05PM (7/02/2007)
1) do not worry all these are RUMORS .. I am not an insider . .some of this sounds WAY too good to me to be true .. so I will wait for it to materialize .. but the above are the insider rumors that get to me.
2) the TF V6 would be an ALTERNATIVE to the V8 GT Mustang .. Ford would not dare to make a Mustang without a V8 (just look how much ire they got when canceling V8 in a SEDAN .. imagine it had happened to the Mustang) .. However reportedly Ford will offer the TF V6 as another optional engine .. for those inclined to such power plant .. after all if we look back it would not be a first for a pony car .. Camaro used to be offered with both V8 and Forced Induction V6 of similar power for a while.
Igor
Igor Holas 4:06PM (7/02/2007)
1) do not worry all these are RUMORS .. I am not an insider . .some of this sounds WAY too good to me to be true .. so I will wait for it to materialize .. but the above are the insider rumors that get to me.
2) the TF V6 would be an ALTERNATIVE to the V8 GT Mustang .. Ford would not dare to make a Mustang without a V8 (just look how much ire they got when canceling V8 in a SEDAN .. imagine it had happened to the Mustang) .. However reportedly Ford will offer the TF V6 as another optional engine .. for those inclined to such power plant .. after all if we look back it would not be a first for a pony car .. Camaro used to be offered with both V8 and Forced Induction V6 of similar power for a while.
Igor
Mark 4:14PM (7/02/2007)
I don't believe the 2.5 would actually ground up redesign. I believe it's just an updated version of Mazda 2.3. Since Mazda already has their DISI, my guess is turning it into a turbo would be fairly easy. My issue with it is that the 2.3 DISI is pretty fuel inefficient. I'm hoping Ford is willing to sacrifice a few horses to improve efficiency. Also the bigger displacement should help.