Autoblog

According to sources speaking with Pickuptrucks.com, Ford is considering offering an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine on its F-150 pickup in 2013. The boosted mill is expected to displace around 2.5-liters, produce 260 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, and would only be available on the two-door Regular Cab F-150 4x2 and 4x4.

Ford's rationale for equipping its workaday pickup with a turbo'd four is partially due to the rising cost of gasoline, but is primarily fueled by new CAFE regulations that will require light trucks to average 28.6 mpg by 2015. Ford has already decided to drop its 4.2-liter V6 for the 2009 model year, only offering the 4.6-liter V8, which produces more power and more torque, while still offering similar fuel economy.

The EcoBoost range of engines are likely to find their way into several different models across Ford's line up, and according to Ford's director of powertrain research, Dan Kapp, EcoBoost engines could allow the automaker to reduce engine sizes by between 40- and 50-percent, so 3.0-liter V6s could be replaced by two-liter fours and a 2.5-liter four cylinder could be reduced to 1.5-liters.

Before the EcoBoost four-pot debuts on the 2013 F-150, Ford will launch a turbocharged V6 in the pickup in 2010. Displacement is expected to be around 3.5-liters, with output estimated at around 350 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. Partnered with a new six-speed transmission, fuel economy should be around 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

And what of the rumored F-100 pick-up? It's conceivable that the range-topping version of the compact truck could be packing the same turbo'd four as its big brother, while a naturally aspirated version would power the entry level model.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

In a trend that is sure to prove popular, Hyundai will add a less powerful and more fuel efficient four-cylinder to the available engine lineup on its Santa Fe model when it is redesigned for 2010. As of today, the four-door crossover is available with a choice of either a 2.7-liter or a 3.3-liter six-cylinder powerplant mated to four- or five-speed automatics (a five-speed manual is optional on the smaller engine). Both are rated at 24 mpg highway in the current model. The next-gen Santa Fe will offer a new six-speed automatic with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder that is currently powering the 2009 Hyundai Sonata. Under the hood of the lighter Sonata sedan (and mated to a five-speed automatic), the second-generation Theta engine squeezes out 32 mpg on the highway. While we don't think the Santa Fe will pull a number that impressive, fuel economy in the high-20's shouldn't be out of the question.

[Source: Autoweek]

BMW and PSA teamed up to produce the 1.6-liter four-cylinder currently found in the R56 MINI Cooper, but according to an interview with BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer, the four-pot will also find its way into the BMW 1-series. The pre-release of his interview in the Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung didn't divulge which models would benefit from the four-cylinder engine, whether it will be available in both naturally aspirated or turbocharged guise or what markets in which it will be sold.

Reithofer also mentioned that the next generation 7-series, due to be released later this year, would be equipped with a new hybrid drivetrain. No timeframe was outlined as to when the hybrid 7 would be released, but when it is (likely next year), it's expected to be the mild-hybrid, co-developed with Daimler, originally shown on the X5 Vision EfficientDynamics concept.

[Source: Forbes]

The European Parliament has called for Formula One to adopt more environmentally-friendly engine alternatives, and the FIA seems to be all for it.

The CARS 21 report, passed with 607 EU legislators in favor, 76 against and 14 abstentions, praised the FIA's actions to make F1 greener, but called on the sanctioning body to do more. The report concluded by calling on the FIA to revise its formula to include "environmentally friendly technologies like bio-fuels, four-cylinder engines or hybrid". FIA president Max Mosley, who has been vocal in his desire to make F1 greener, subsequently issued a statement supporting the EU report.

Several racing series - including A1GP, ALMS, Champ Cars and IndyCars - are now running on bio-fuels, and Formula One has been toying with electric hybrid regenerative braking technologies. As we reported earlier, the moratorium on engine development in F1 was shortened from ten years to five, and the FIA is preparing to launch a new engine formula within the next couple of years. If regulatory bodies like the EU and the FIA get their way, F1 cars in a few years could be powered by four-cylinder electric-ethanol hybrids.

[Source: Autosport]

It's been rumored for some time and the newest comments from BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is further proof that the propeller people are looking to get in bed with other automakers to cut the high costs of engine development and production.

This isn't a first for BMW, which partnered with PSA/Peugeot-Citroen on the engine for the current crop of MINI models, but this newest endeavor could involve one of Bimmer's biggest rivals, Daimler. Mercedes is in need of small, four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines for its next line of A- and B-class vehicles, and the MINI's mill could be a good fit. The talks aren't exclusive with BMW, however, as Daimler is also sitting down with unnamed Japanese manufacturers to provide petrol and diesel powerplants.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]

Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's global design chief, revealed that plans to expand the Infiniti lineup could include a small vehicle to slot in below the current G, a two-door high-powered flagship and some form of people mover that would fill the gap left by the EX and FX CUVs.

Since the GT-R will find its way to U.S. shores sporting a Nissan badge (and rightfully so), Nakamura maintains that a halo car, either a coupe or convertible, would fit well into the Infiniti lineup. Although details are scarce, the idea of installing a modified version of the GT-R's twin-turbo V6 into Infiniti's flagship shouldn't be out of the question.

On the other side of spectrum lies an entry-level model that would sport a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in favor of the 3.5-liter or 3.7-liter V6s that populate the majority of Infiniti's models. It stands to reason that the 200 HP QR25DE four-pot powering the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V would be a good fit, and if Infiniti decides to continue with a focus on RWD vehicles, we smell a sales sensation.

Nakamura is quick to point out that, "These are just ideas we are thinking about." But if Carlos Ghosn's optimism for the brand is matched with the right amount of R&D dollars, there's little doubt that good things could be on the horizon.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Earlier this week Hyundai announced it would be adding an engine plant to its sole U.S. production facility in Montgomery, Alabama. We didn't know at the time exactly what engine the new facility would produce, but in the back of our minds assumed it would be a V6 since the Montgomery plant builds the Sonata and Sante Fe, the latter of which is only available with a six-cylinder.

Turns out we were wrong, as Automotive News is reporting the new plant will build four-cylinder engines instead, about 200,000 to 300,000 annually. Not only that, it will build 2.4L four-cylinder engines, which means that the plant will be the sixth factory in the world to produce engines developed by the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance. GEMA is comprised of DaimlerChrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, with versions of GEMA four-cylinders currently being produced for vehicles like the Dodge Caliber, upcoming 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer and various Hyundais and Kias like the Sonata and Optima. Of course, the main purpose of Hyundai's new plant will be to supply motors for the Sonata, over 60% of which are ordered with four-cylinders, and feed engines to Kia's new collossal assembly plant currently being built in Georgia.

[Source: Automotive News]

Another mule has been caught lapping the Ring in Germany, and this time it's the forthcoming revival of the lightweight Lotus Esprit supercar. The new Esprit is expected use a BMW V8 for power, and while eight cylinders is no surprise, we have to admit that we enjoyed the old Esprit's identity as the "four-cylinder supercar".

Near the end of the Esprit's last run it was fitted with a Lotus-developed, compact twin-turbo 3.5L V8 that developed 350 hp, but it seemed out of place to us in a supercar that made its mark by chasing down more powerful cars with nothing more than a four-banger and a prayer. These days, however, the Lotus Elise is having no trouble filling its older brothers shoes as the company's resident "four-cylinder supercar".

[Source: Inside Line via Winding Road]

Faced with the effect of rising fuel costs and blessed with a capable new line of four-cylinder "World Engines", Chrysler has stated that it will expand its offerings of vehicles with smaller motors - a drastic departure from the Hemi proliferation that has brought the automaker showroom success.

Currently, the automaker offers I4s in four vehicles, with another two on the way by the end of this year, but Chrysler is said to be considering adding an option for one in other models that now offer nothing smaller than a V6. One such model may be the 2007 Jeep Wrangler, which is currently available in the US with only a V6 despite a long history of offering a standard I4. Chrysler also limited four-banger availability in its minivan line-up.

[Source: Bloomberg via Detroit News]

UPDATE: GM RELEASED PICS FINALLY (click for high rez)


With the Goat about to go bye-bye again, Pontiac needed to cough up another car for its championship drifter Ryhs Millen to pilot in this year’s Formula D circuit. Fortunately the 2007 Pontiac GXP makes a perfect choice thanks to its RWD layout and potent 2.0L ECOTEC engine. The ECOTEC four-cylinder has been pumped up to over 1,400 hp in drag racing applications, so the fact that it will provide Millen’s right foot with 500 hp is no surprise. And the darn thing runs on E85! Live Green, Go Yellow, Burn Rubber we always say.

Domestics have dominated the Formula D circuit since its inception a few years ago, with either Millen in his GTO or Samuel Hubinette in his Dodge Viper taking top honors at nearly every competition. Hubinette will also be trading in his Viper this season for something a little more accessible to John Q drifter… a Dodge Charger drifting sedan.

The first competition of the 2006 season has already taken place, and we’re not surprised that Hubinette, the 2004 Champion, is in the lead with Millen, last year’s champion, following close behind in points.

We put in a call to Pontiac for an actual pic of the Red Bull Solstice GXP drifter and are awaiting a reply.

Follow the jump for GM's official release that includes more details on the Red Bull racer.

[Source: GM]