UPDATE: More news on Ford's forthcoming ethanol injected, turbocharged "Bobcat" V8
Pickuptrucks.com has been doing some digging in the U.S. Department of Energy's document treasure trove and uncovered some information on Ford's new Bobcat (no, not the Mercury). It turns out "Bobcat" is the code name for a new boosted and ethanol-powered engine being developed in Dearborn.The Bobcat engine is a new 5.0-liter V8 with gasoline port injection and turbocharging. A second set of direct injectors is used to feed a small amount of ethanol directly to the cylinders. The ethanol is used primarily for charge cooling, allowing the engine to run at higher boost and compression levels. It also allows the engine to run much leaner. Normally, running lean causes higher combustion temperatures, thus increasing production of NOx. However, the ethanol helps to alleviate the NOx by reducing combustion temperatures, and according to the data, Ford has been able to increase the brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of a prototype E85 DI V6 engine from the standard 17 BAR to about 27 BAR.
BMEP is a measure of specific output of an engine independent of displacement. That BMEP of 27 BAR in a 3.5-liter V6 translates to a torque output of 553 lb-ft. Compare this to 350 lb-ft from a standard 3.5-liter Ecoboost and you know good things are on the way. Specifically, the 5.0-liter Bobcat can produce over 500 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque. That's the kind of torque number typically associated with big diesel engines and handily beats the 650 lb-ft of the 6.4-liter diesel currently offered in the Super Duty pickups.
The beauty of this particular ethanol boosting is that it can potentially offer better-than-diesel performance and efficiency without the expensive particulate filter and urea injection systems. If the concept can be scaled down effectively to smaller displacement engines, it could be the next step beyond the Ecoboost engines coming over the next couple of years.
[Source: PickupTrucks]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mazdamia 7:40PM (6/09/2009)
Didi I say yet that I love Ford?
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MikeW 12:03AM (6/10/2009)
What about GM?
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/03/ricardo-boosts-ethanol-engine-technology-using-gm-motor.html
The blue line looks an awful lot like the [canned] 4.5 diesel V8
adam1drift 7:40PM (6/09/2009)
WOW!
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MikeW 12:19AM (6/10/2009)
exactly, what a POS!
Bryan 7:44PM (6/09/2009)
This is exactly what it would take to put me into a ford vehicle.....
Its no wonder they are the only american left standing
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Jake B 2:12PM (6/10/2009)
Hopefully it doesn't blow spark plugs out of the top of the heads like my 5.4 liter did. Seriously though, MAKE STRONGER HEADS FORD!!!!!
Mike 7:46PM (6/09/2009)
Holy @#%& i want this in my next lifted F-150
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Andrew L 7:53PM (6/09/2009)
What about an SVT Raptor?
Joan of Arc 7:46PM (6/09/2009)
Um, wow? That is outstanding torque for a stock engine out of a 5.0L gasoline engine. I wonder what the modifications would be like? I guess the transmission would be the dealbreaker.
Sounds awesome.
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Jsams4131 7:47PM (6/09/2009)
exactly..it seems as though they are the only ones willing to make the strides and that gets my respect...not even to mention that i'm falling in love with all the new models coming out.
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Jei 10:44PM (6/09/2009)
Ummm, no. I do like the concept of a 5.0L V8 providing 750lb-ft of torque, but how much ethanol is required per tank of gas? What's the average price of a gallon of ethanol today?
Who's to say ethanol may be fairly cheap by the time this concept Bobcat engine would make it market and into vehicles. But it would mean needing a 2nd fuel source to achieve maximum output desired. Right now, needing urea for diesel exhaust doesn't sound so bad.
BoneHeadOtto 9:01AM (6/10/2009)
@JEI
I read about this tech years ago. It uses an extremely small amount of ethanol. One article suggested that ethanol could be filled when your oil was changed. This article mentions that is can be filled very infrequently
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2006/engine.html
"...adding a couple of gallons of ethanol every few months, they will have an engine that can go as much as 30 percent farther on a gallon of fuel than an ordinary engine. Moreover, the little engine provides high performance without the use of high-octane gasoline."
Now what Ford and the others need to do is to offer small 4cylinder engines with this tech. You could have a honda fit sized car with a 1.0L engine making power like a 2.0L engine. I love hp as much as the next guy but this tech deserves to make an incredible MPG claim when it first comes to market, instead of an incredible hp claim. This is where the "eco tech" and "ecoboost" are failing. They need to be in smaller engines to really tout their eco.
mikhalian 8:00PM (6/09/2009)
Hmm... I can't help but wonder how much ethanol this system needs and how often it'll need to be refueled with more. If it's just intermittent maintainance, then it's cool. But if it needs to be refueled with every tank of gas or oil change, then I don't think people will bite.
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nadnarb 8:09PM (6/09/2009)
If it is like the urea system in the new diesels then I think people will go for it. Once every 3k miles is something most will live with. Once every 500 miles might be a problem though.
I just wonder what occurs when the first idiot to forget the ethanol fill up blows an engine. Though I'm sure ford will have prepared an engine shut off for this.
compy386 8:09PM (6/09/2009)
Article states max of 20K. Realistically I'm sure it's about an oil change. Either way filling a tank with ethanol just doesn't seem that hard. Then again neither does putting diesel in a car that uses diesel but people seem to find a way.
jpm100 8:28PM (6/09/2009)
To provide cooling, it has to be a significant amount. Get ready to feed two fuel tanks.
Stuka 8:13PM (6/09/2009)
Wow, talk about a powerhouse of an engine! Yet another reason Ford is my favorite automaker.
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Paul P. 8:26PM (6/09/2009)
Hello Boss 302. ;-)
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Greg Aryous 8:32PM (6/09/2009)
WOW! This Bobcat engine will kill the small diesel with its better performance and lower cost. The E85 tank can be easily refilled at oil service intervals so should be no problem, plus it can run OK when the E85 tank is empty too. This is yet another reason to buy Ford(F). Expect to see this within 3-years in an F-Series Super Duty first to validate the concept and kill the competition. Just another nail in GM's recovery couffin.
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Azrael4h 11:01PM (6/09/2009)
Do I see a new engine for the Mustang? Shelby GT500 specifically. Though that "Bobcat" 3.5l variant would put the V6 past the GT's current level, or even past the upcoming 5.0l.
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