Frankfurt 2009: Ford unveils smallest EcoBoost engine yet at 1.6 liters
by Sam Abuelsamid on Sep 15th 2009 at 4:59AM 
Ford's EcoBoost offensive is continuing at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week with the official launch of the third member of the family, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The new engine joins the 3.5-liter V6 currently in production and the already announced 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Like the rest of the family, this one features direct gasoline injection, a turbocharger and dual independent variable valve timing.
Output numbers aren't yet final, but the 1.6-liter should produce about 180 horsepower and 170-175 lb-ft of torque. Ford's plan is to use these EcoBoost engines to replace larger normally aspirated engines in various applications. For example, the 1.6-liter will replace 2.0-2.5-liter engines in many C-segment vehicles like the Focus and C-Max. The 2.0-liter will replace 2.5-3.0-liter units starting in 2010 CUVs and SUVs. That likely means we will see this as the base engine in the new unibody Explorer and possibly as a replacement for the V6 in the Escape.
Ford plans to have 1.3 million of these engines on the road over the next four years with availability in 80 percent of its product lines.
Check out the latest edition of the Autoblog Podcast as Ford's Mark Schirmer and Mark Kaufman join us to discuss the new C-Max, EcoBoost and the rest of the C-Segment vehicles.
Gallery: Ford 1.6-liter EcoBoost
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE
FORD EXPANDS GLOBAL ECOBOOST LINE; HIGH-VOLUME FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINES TO BE OFFERED IN ALL REGIONS
- Ford's current 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine will be complemented with new 1.6-, 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected I-4 engines for Europe, North America and Australia
- The new high-volume four-cylinder EcoBoost engines will be offered across most of Ford's global product lineup, including midsize and large vehicles
- The new engines will deliver up to a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy on up to 1.3 million vehicles globally by 2013, retaining fun-to-drive characteristics of Ford products
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 15, 2009 – Ford's high-performance, fuel-saving four-cylinder EcoBoost engine family is making its global debut early in 2010, marking a major milestone in the company's strategy to deliver greater fuel economy for millions.
The all-new EcoBoost 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter I-4 engines combine turbocharging and direct-injection technology to deliver fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduced by up to
20 percent versus conventional, larger-displacement gasoline engines with similar power output. At the same time, EcoBoost engines will deliver the off-the-line power and performance characteristics familiar to diesel enthusiasts.
The fun-to-drive nature of EcoBoost engines is leading Ford to introduce these fuel-saving powertrains in large volumes virtually across its lineup. For example, by 2013 more than 90 percent of Ford's North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost technology, and nearly 80 percent of Ford's global nameplates will have an available EcoBoost option.
"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, only has been achievable with the latest-generation turbo-diesel powertrains," he added.
Going forward, Ford will shift its powertrain allocations. Under the new system:
- A 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 would replace naturally aspirated V-8 engines
- A 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 would replace naturally aspirated V-6 engines
- A 1.6-liter EcoBoost I-4 would replace naturally aspirated large I-4 engines
"With this next phase of our plan, we will expand our EcoBoost engine offerings, adding higher-volume, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines to the premium V-6 engine we currently offer in North America," said Kuzak.
For European markets, the first available I-4 EcoBoost engines will be 1.6-liter units that launch on the all-new Ford C-MAX in late 2010. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will arrive on larger European Ford products and will be launched in North America in 2010. Australia will see the Ford Falcon arrive with an available 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 in 2011.
By 2013, global EcoBoost volume throughout the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle family is expected to be 1.3 million units, with up to 750,000 sales coming from North America alone.
Why EcoBoost?
EcoBoost engines combine direct gasoline injection with turbocharging to lower emissions, improve performance and reduce fuel use. Technological advancements provide driving fun with high power ratings from lower-capacity engines and torque performance similar to that found on turbocharged diesels.
"EcoBoost is an integrated part of Ford's global mid- and long-term sustainability strategy," said Kuzak. "Combined with advanced multi-speed transmissions, electric power steering, weight reductions and aerodynamic improvements, EcoBoost will help Ford address the world's global warming and energy challenges without sacrificing the joy of driving."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Allen 7:07AM (9/15/2009)
I'd take one of these over an N.A. 2.0-2.5L I4 just because of the healthy increase in low end and midrange torque.
Reply
jemtec 7:30AM (9/15/2009)
Please ford.. put this engine in a Fiesta RS type package or use it all around in all the Fiesta lineup as it comes to the US.
This engine would make the new fiesta an absolute insane pleasure to drive, yet get great mileage.
C segment. Hmmm. will have to see how that goes.
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chilipepper 9:16AM (9/15/2009)
Sign me up if this engine finds its way into the Fiesta. Although it will be a tough decision vs. the 2.0 liter ecoboost in the Focus.
naggs 3:58PM (9/15/2009)
ditto, ecoboosted fiesta 3 door would rock
MikeW 8:33AM (9/15/2009)
Better fuel injectors than 3.5 V6
Timing belt?
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michael pettibone 8:50AM (9/15/2009)
Still have doubts about this for USA.Take the 2.5 /175 hp 4 in the fusion and add direct injection-the numbers would be as good as this in an engine that is lighter cheaper simpler and less maintenance intensive.I know turbos have improved since I sold them in the 80s-when they lasted maybe 60,000 miles but will this engine and turbo really last 150-200 thousand miles like a good na 4? What will it cost to rebuild this engine with the turbo? Where are the savings? maybe where gas is $6.00 it makes sense.
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Greg Aryous 11:32AM (9/15/2009)
Negative! Negative! Negative! What a pessimist! The world is flat too... go buy a Yugo!
naturalyshocked 8:47PM (9/15/2009)
who cares, the turbo market is 100x as big back than, just get a replacement and continue driving.
probaly the known pushrod tuners on the corner wil probaly dedicate their biznis to it.
overhauling turbo's in order to earn a dime.
like said the before, the market is for turbo is super huge and the price is lowering because of the larger volume market.
why do american always think the same, the want best of the best, but not spend a dime on maintence?
a rebuild kit here in europe goes for about 500€.
tanooki2003 8:50AM (9/15/2009)
This is a good thing. Ford NA is almost giving me that same good feeling when I finally started to see Hyundai turn themselves around, now it is Ford's turn. Great job Ford. I knew you guys would finally see the light.
Alright GM and Chrysler I am still waiting........ I have yet to see some signs of innovation from either of you guys that is not just vapor.
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Dr. Greenthumb 9:54AM (9/15/2009)
Nah, there was nothing innovative this when GM did it 3 years ago. The 2.0DI turbo Ecotec in the Sky/Solstice/Cobalt SS have already been down that road. Nothing innovative about the 1.4L DI Turbo in the upcoming Cruze that gets the same power as this 1.6 Ecoboost mill, nothing innovative at all.
Nothing innovative about the Volt, which will send everyone back to the rethink hybrids. Heck, Lotus is already working on a similar powertrain. You know it won't take very long for the bandwagon jumpers to get onboard.
Joshua 9:16AM (9/15/2009)
North America is NOT getting this engine. Check the pretty poster. Oh well, it would have been a fantastic top of the line engine for the Fiesta.
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Allen 10:13AM (9/15/2009)
Just because they haven't officially announced whether or not it's coming to America doesn't mean it is or isn't. Unlike diesels, small turbo gas engines are easy to get passed American emissions standards. I doubt Ford would take the time to build and develop this engine, which is perfect for America, and not bring it here.
Robert 12:41PM (9/15/2009)
North America is getting that engine. It launches in Europe in 2010 and in NA (as rumor has it) in 2011. The only ecoboost with big question marks for NA is the 1.0L 3-cyl.
BassClef 9:29AM (9/15/2009)
Good God! My Scion's 1.5l is only pushing 103HP, 101lb. ft. Ford should sell this as a crate with an advertising campaign focused around livening up your feeble foreign car (or craptastic current Focus).
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Mike 10:23AM (9/15/2009)
I'm sure Ford knows more than I do.
But I woulda thought that a 1.4liter 160hp/160torque version would be nice replacement for smaller engines of bigger cars and also for larger engine for small cars.
Like Fiesta:
1.4liter standard - 120hp
1.4liter eco - 160hp
Sport Version - 2.0 230hp
Escape:
1.4liter eco - 160hp
2.0liter eco - 230hp
Hybrid 2.3 or something. 180hp.
I agree with a lot of people in here though. I don't think Turbos generally last that long and people complain about Hybrid battery packs costing a lot to replace. Batteries are lasting 150k miles.. do turbos last that long?
I think the 2.4liter engines do have a great benefit. They get decent gas mileage, decent torque and are CHEAP to produce.
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bman 10:50AM (9/15/2009)
you realize that every big rig you see on the road has a turbo and if they fail at less than half a million miles it is unusual. And don't forget almost all the diesel cars and trucks sold in the rest of the world (and the 3/4-1 tons in the US) also have turbos. They are a pretty well sorted out technology.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:12PM (9/15/2009)
I've had my Audi A6 2.7T twin-turbo V6 for two months shy of 10 years now. 108,000 miles. And I don't even treat the turbos well.
Turbos last pretty well now, since they started running coolant to the bearings back in about 1990. Before they were oil-cooled and that wasn't sufficient.
Robert B 10:16AM (9/15/2009)
Not even that shocking, Fiat, GM and VAG already do 1.4's with more HP's than that.
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nrb 10:41AM (9/15/2009)
How's their torque curve?
Robert B 10:48AM (9/15/2009)
Don't exactly know, but probably flat enough for the kinds of cars they're built into. 1.4's are used from Fiat 500's to Bravo's. Say up to the C-segment.