Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all
Ford FG Falcon G-Series - Click above for image gallery
Ford made news this week when it officially announced its four-cylinder EcoBoost engine; an engine that promises V6 performance with four-banger efficiency. The company's twin-turbo technology is expected to infiltrate almost every part of its lineup within the next few years, and it'll be available just about everywhere on earth, including Australia.
To that end, Ford has just announced that it will be adding the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine to Australia's Falcon lineup. The new engine will give Australian customers a more fuel efficient option in the popular sedan, while also packing nearly the same punch as the V6-powered Holden Commodore. Ford says the Falcon will be the first rear-drive vehicle to receive an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which means the Mustang won't receive the 2.0-liter turbo until late 2011 at the earliest (and possibly never).
Ford is investing $230 million overall to improve the efficiency of its Australian lineup, with the EcoBoost 2.0-liter, a 2.7-liter diesel unit for its Territory crossover, and a new LPG engine for its fleet offerings. The Australian government is pitching in, too, as they are giving Ford $42 million as part of the nation's Green Car Innovation Fund. Local Victoria government officials are also pitching in an unspecified amount of money, helping ease costs for the Blue Oval.
Ford has also announced that it will not build the next-generation Focus in Australia, opting instead to import the popular small car from Thailand. Ford Australia was planning to build 45,000 Focuses a year, with 15,000 units destined for export. Ford says no jobs will be affected by the change of plans. Hit the jump to review the company's officla press release.
Gallery: Ford FG Falcon G-Series
[Source: Ford, Drive]
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD AUSTRALIA INVESTS $230 MILLION IN NEW FUEL-EFFICIENT ENGINES FOR LOCALLY PRODUCED VEHICLES
* Ford Australia builds on its fuel economy leadership by adding three new, fuel-efficient engines as part of $230 million investment in sustainability initiatives. These initiatives add to Ford's previously announced investment in engineering its I6 engine for Euro IV by mid-2010.
* Ford continues global roll-out of EcoBoost by adding an all-new 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine to the Falcon range in 2011, the biggest environmental transformation in Falcon's fifty-year history.
* Ford is also introducing an advanced liquid injection LPG system for the Falcon and a clean diesel 2.7L turbocharged V6 engine for Territory.
* Ford ends plans to build Focus in Australia due to changing global economic conditions. No job losses are expected as a result of the decision.
MELBOURNE, Australia, July 24, 2009 – Ford Australia announced today it is investing $230 million to improve the fuel efficiency and environmental impact of its Australian-made models, including the first global application of Ford's advanced 2.0-litre 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine in a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the Ford Falcon.
This continues the global roll-out of EcoBoost, the new technology from Ford that provides consumers with an affordable engine that delivers up to 20 per cent better fuel economy and 15 per cent fewer CO2 emissions.
Ford Australia is taking two other steps, in addition to EcoBoost, to offer consumers more choices for vehicles with better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions:
* In 2010, Ford will introduce an advanced liquid-injection LPG system for the Ford Falcon, providing customers with the most advanced LPG technology on the market and making the Falcon even more attractive to private, taxi and fleet markets.
* The Ford Territory, the only Australian-made SUV, will receive a clean diesel version of Ford's 2.7-litre turbocharged V6 engine, giving buyers the choice of an engine which improves fuel economy and reduces greenhouse gases.
Today's announcement is supported by assistance from the Australian Government's Green Car Innovation Fund and the Victorian State Government. It is in addition to Ford's previous investment to engineer the company's locally manufactured I6 engine for compliance with Euro IV emission standards.
Starting in 2011, the iconic Falcon, one of the largest-selling brands in automotive history and the first Australian-made car to be awarded a 5-star ANCAP rating, will become one of the greenest family cars in Australia with EcoBoost. Slated for a range of global vehicles – from small cars to large trucks – EcoBoost uses petrol turbocharged direct-injection technology to deliver improved fuel efficiency, emissions and driving performance versus larger displacement engines.
As the first rear-wheel drive car from Ford to receive the 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder EcoBoost, Falcon is benefiting from the One Ford strategy of accelerating products that customers want and value – and then making those products available on a global basis.
"Today's announcements put Ford Australia in a strong position for profitable growth in today's auto industry," said Marin Burela, President & CEO of Ford Australia. "We are ensuring our core Falcon and Territory vehicles will have the most advanced, high-tech and cleanest engines possible. At the same time, this represents the biggest environmental transformation in the fifty-year history of Ford Falcon by giving buyers the newest engine in the Ford Motor Company stable.
"Falcon customers will now have the choice of either the continually popular I6 engine, which will be Euro IV compliant, or one of the first global applications of Ford's EcoBoost, 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engines, while in a similar timeframe Territory customers will be able to access Ford's world-class clean diesel engine technology," Burela continued.
Ford Australia also announced that as a result of changing global economic conditions, the company has ended plans to manufacture the Ford Focus in Australia. After assessing the global requirements and costs of producing the next Focus in Australia, Ford determined that the changing economic conditions meant it could not make a business case for profitably manufacturing the car at its operations outside of Melbourne.
Ford's new strategy allows the company to economically source small cars for the Australian market from overseas locations, while investing in leading-edge technologies to serve its core Falcon and Territory customers. The decision to not make the Focus in Australia will not result in any job losses.
"Although difficult, this is the right decision for Ford Australia," said Burela. "Ford Australia has a strong commitment to manufacturing in this country built on ongoing support from employees, customers, dealers, suppliers and government. Our investments today demonstrate not only our commitment to address climate change – but to bringing leading edge technologies to the Australian market.
"Ford is fully committed to working towards fuel economy leadership in every segment in which we compete, across local an
d imported vehicles. In fact, later this year we will introduce the most fuel-efficient vehicle in Australia when we launch the Fiesta ECOnetic, which will be more economical than hybrids at only 3.7L/100km," said Burela.These significant projects add to a continued program of ongoing investment by Ford in the Australian market, including:
* More than $500 million investment in the current FG Falcon range of vehicles.
* Leading design and engineering work on Ford's next generation compact pickup truck, which will eventually be sold in more than 100 countries.
* More than $80 million invested at the Lara Proving Ground, including building the largest environmental wind tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere.
* $21 million investment in ongoing production of the company's iconic I6 engine, which will become Euro IV compliant in mid-2010.
"Ford is the only local manufacturer to increase market share in Australia over the past year. Last month, we reinstated two non-production days back into the production schedule as a result of rising demands. In June, Falcon Ute sales were their best since June 2006, the Falcon XR had its best monthly sales on record, and demand for the new-look Territory has exceeded our expectations" said Burela.
About EcoBoost
The EcoBoost program is part of Ford's ongoing and wide-ranging global initiative to deliver fuel-efficient powertrain systems with the power and performance found in larger-displacement engines. EcoBoost will be offered on Ford vehicles throughout the world. On sale now in select Ford vehicles in North America, more than 90 per cent of Ford's North American nameplates will be available with EcoBoost by 2013.
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. An intercooler reduces the air temperature before it enters the engine.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Yaroukh 1:35PM (7/24/2009)
that... looks... weird... O_o
Reply
Rob 2:13PM (7/24/2009)
I actually think the car looks pretty good.
Yaroukh 2:31PM (7/24/2009)
To me the design looks kinda outdated. The grill borrowed from Mondeo, which has stunning front-face, looks awkward on this car. That might be the issue, that I use to see that grill on another car many times every day.
Farmboy 3:54PM (7/24/2009)
Still though, it is a huge success in Australia.
Matt (that likes ford) 2:36PM (7/24/2009)
The FPV SuperPursuit looks wierd too but it is all different kinds of kickass!
http://www.fpv.com.au/fpv-range/super-pursuit/overview.aspx
Yaroukh 2:46PM (7/24/2009)
No doubt about it, I dig FPV (unfortunately only on YouTube :), with the "mask" it looks way better.
Australian Fords made me always wonder how on such small market those guys made their own interiors so much better than what Ford used to sell in US.
Randy 8:26PM (7/24/2009)
"To me the design looks kinda outdated"
To me too! It's very plain! Kinda like a Maxima on the front quarters! Just a little though...
BoxerFanatic 1:39PM (7/24/2009)
OR
an EcoBoost Mustang might have the EcoBoost V6, not the I4.
A turbo I4, even direct injected, would be hard-pressed to motivate a big, somewhat heavy car, and stay off boost long enough to get decent mileage.
It would either be anemic, and fuel efficient, or fast, and thirsty.
Reply
MikeW 2:12PM (7/24/2009)
What about ecoboost 2.3?
EB 2.0 replaces 3.5 V6
EB 2.3 replaces 3.7 V6
naggs 4:07PM (7/24/2009)
wrong
peak torque from 1500-5000 rpm
it will move the Falcon, it will work just fine in the mustang
OLight 4:18PM (7/24/2009)
My '09 Audi A4 2.0T might beg to differ. I read your comment, and looked up the specs, and even gave the benefit of the doubt:
2010 Mustang V6 5M: Curb Weight = 3401 lbs.
2009 Audi A4 2.0T 6A: Curb Weight = 3715 lbs.
Before I bought this car, I would have said the same, but with 253 ft-lbs on tap (versus 221 in my previous V6 A4), my heavier-than-a-Mustang car has no problem getting out of its own way. Yeah, when I step on it, I get V6 mileage, but that's my own fault. When I drive like a civilized member of society, I do get pretty good mileage, and don't feel like the performance is anemic.
I know the thought of a 4-pot in a pony car rubs a lot of people the wrong way. But my experience with the A4 has shown me that it doesn't necessarily have to be a choice between bad mileage or bad performance. Give EB a chance before it's panned!
BoxerFanatic 5:05PM (7/24/2009)
I have a turbo 4 sedan, and it weighs less than 3700lbs, curb weight just under 3500, and has more than 250lb-ft of torque with a stage 2 tune, probably closer to 280
But that torque is not available from idle, nor from throttle tip-in. My 3600lb coupe with a 3.3 H6 is smoother, easier, more calm, and with *normal* throttle use, comes away from a stop with more ease and authority than my 2.5 turbo. Get a bit aggressive with the turbo's throttle, though, and the H6 doesn't stand any chance whatsoever, BUT the fuel tank will need to be refilled sooner. No free lunches. No free launches, either.
It is either a low-compression 4-cylinder behavior, or it is taking off like a rocket. No doubt the car can move, similarly an ecoBoost 4, a GM turbo 4, or a VW/Audi turbo 4.
A DFI engine will have a bit more torque, by being able to run a bit better static compression ratio, but still...
The engine still has a distinct behavior between on-boost, and off-boost. The more mass a car has, the more likely it will need power to move that mass. The more power needed, means the more revs, and boost pressure, and thus FUEL it needs to make that power.
A good V6 is not so two-faced, and is a smoother engine to drive, and a less complex engine to maintain.
a 280hp good V6 will drive more smoothly and be just as fast, possibly even a sliver faster than a 280hp inline 4, and will be mechanically simpler while doing it.
The Turbo will "feel" faster by not being as smooth, and being more aggressive in power delivery when on-boost, and the turbo engine will be easier to tune for more power, unless the given figure is all that the engine can safely offer.
The 6-cylinder will be easier to drive normally, less imperative to rev, but still quite revvable, unlike a diesel, and normal useage cycle will depend less on higher revs, and fuel useage. It will also tend to run a little less "pig rich" depending on how safe the fuel map is programmed to play the injector cycles, to prevent lean burn, and detonation.
Choosing between a fire-breathing, fuel-chugging, tire-smoking turbo 4, and a nice, sophisticated 6-cylinder with direct injection and variable valve timing, or even BMW or Infiniti's variable valve lift systems... it would be a hard choice, and it would come down to the intended role of the car.
For a falcon, a touring car, more cylinders make more sense.
For mustang, which already has a V8 performance option, and the V6 is the economy model, the 6-cylinder makes more sense, there, too, where a Turbo 4 is going to be less smooth to drive, and probably not quite as fuel efficient because of the engine's power curve characteristics, and having to dig into the throttle more often.
The turbo 4, or even a turbo 6 makes more sense in a sport package of a car that doesn't otherwise want to offer a big V8 engine instead.
Turbo engines, even with DFI are an alternative to displacement, but expecting performance out of either one is going to throw fuel economy out the window the other direction.
Jim 6:44PM (7/24/2009)
"an EcoBoost Mustang might have the EcoBoost V6, not the I4."
wouldn't make sense. The power output would overlap with the V8, or worse as the Mustang's stronger drivetrain would let them use the 3.5 liter EB to its full potential.
naggs 3:02AM (7/25/2009)
boxerfan, DI makes all the difference
actually is the DI, VVT and turbo all combined. under normal driving, these engines feel like larger engines except they get better mileage
TriShield 1:45PM (7/24/2009)
Yeah, a four cylinder Falcon will go over real well. I'd opt for the turbo six all day, every day and on Sundays.
Leave the little four cylinders out of our muscle cars and keep them in small cars designed for them. Thanks.
Also, they can rename "EcoBoost" back to "TwinForce" any time now. If I had an EcoBoost car I would remove the badging with haste. Some aftermarketer should come up with "TwinForce" badging for those of us who can't stand the greenwashed name.
Reply
tifosiotaku 1:58PM (7/24/2009)
Um, kneejerk reaction much?
matthew 3:42PM (7/24/2009)
TwinForce wouldn't make much sense on a 4cyl single turbo, would it?
John 4:43PM (7/24/2009)
+1 for TriShield on all points.
@matthew Twinforce referred to DI and Turbo, not twin turbos.
Bobcat 4:59PM (7/25/2009)
@John TwinForce adds two turbochargers and direct injection to deliver increased power while maintaining excellent fuel economy at a 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder etc..
Matt 9:19AM (7/26/2009)
I LOVE my FG XR6 Turbo :D
Only thing it lacks is a V8 rumble at low speed but it does have its own nice roar when you give it a bootful ;)