Just a few days back, Ford unveiled a brand new EcoBoost engine in Beijing. This engine, a 1.0-liter inline three-cylinder, will become one of the company’s most efficient powerplants ever. Aside from engine size and number of cylinders, Ford was reluctant to release any more information for us to go on, but we speculated that the engine would produce about 105 horsepower and maybe find its way into a Fiesta in the future. In addition, we expect diesel-like efficiency and around 50 miles per gallon from this motor with CO2 ratings under 100 grams per kilometer.
Reportedly, a Ford source has now offered up some more info that points to us having to wait a long while for this ultra-efficient powerplant and that’s not something we’re thrilled about. Automotive News quotes this unnamed Ford source as stating:
For North America, it is a ways off. It certainly has been talked about to come here, but there is not a vehicle for it yet.
The three-cylinder engine should go into production about three years from now and will be utilized in markets where small vehicles dominate. The Ford Ka, a vehicle smaller than the Fiesta, is likely to receive the powerplant, meaning that we may have to wait until the Ka (pictured) makes its trip over here at some future date, if it ever comes. But the last statement that the unnamed source made suggested that maybe the three-cylinder would never make a North American appearance. As the source said, “When you think about markets like South America, India, it is a perfect engine.” Let’s hope that Ford doesn’t hold onto this little gem for emerging markets only.
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]