June 8, 2016 – An Iconic Mustang dashes down the highway. A deft Focus navigates downtown traffic. A Ford GT screams down the race track. A capable Ford Explorer fords a stony creek. A Ford F-150 delivers best-in-class 5,534Kg towing power. But what’s under the hood powering these cars? All that oomph comes from an EcoBoost engine.
Traditional engine thinking is that size equals power, and that’s why Ford’s EcoBoost technology has amazed the skeptics. While the smaller size of EcoBoost engines delivers greater fuel economy, they deliver the power of larger engines. The secret behind the sizzle is EcoBoost technology combines smaller overall size with turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing to bring customers outstanding performance and fuel economy. Ford EcoBoost engines deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy than larger-displacement gasoline engines.
Ford’s tiny yet powerful 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine has been voted best in class at the International Engine of the Year Awards for the fifth year in a row. Judges praised the combination of drivability, performance, economy, refinement and technology that continues to set the standard.
The frugal three-cylinder EcoBoost engine was named “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre” by a panel of 65 automotive journalists, from 31 countries, to win in its class each and every year since it launched. This year the EcoBoost engine finished ahead of 32 competitor engines, 19 more than it competed against in 2012. Significantly, 2015 also saw an increase in competition from global automotive manufacturers of sub 1.0-litre, turbocharged engines with direct fuel injection.
In 2014, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost became the first engine to be named overall International Engine of the Year for a third time in a row, and in 2012 was also named “Best New Engine”.
“The 1.0-litre EcoBoost was a game-changer, and despite others following our lead, it remains the undisputed benchmark in its class five years on,” said Kalyana Sivagnanam, Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Service of Ford Middle East and Africa. “The spirit of innovation continues to drive us as we look to use the same smart thinking for a new breed of efficient, clean and powerful down-sized diesel engines.”
Available with 100 PS, 125 PS and 140 PS, and even 180 PS in the Ford Fiesta R2 rally car, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine powers vehicles in 72 countries worldwide. In 140 PS form, the engine delivers a bigger power-to-litre ratio than a Bugatti Veyron. A road-legal Formula Ford fitted with a 205 PS version of the engine also lapped the famous Nürburgring circuit, in Germany, in 7 minutes 22 seconds; a performance that put it ahead of a host of supercars including the 600+ horsepower Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari Enzo and Pagani Zonda.
“That it’s won the overall award three times and keeps getting the jurors’ votes now highlights just how special Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost is,” said Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the 18th International Engine of the Year awards that were held in Stuttgart, Germany, and editor-in-chief of Engine Technology International magazine. “It’s a fantastic testament to how down-sizing and greater fuel efficiency needn’t mean sacrifice in other areas like power, refinement and drivability, and can even help enhance these elements.”
Globally, Ford’s range of powerful yet fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines includes the 1.5-litre, 1.6 litre, 2.0-litre and 2.3-litre four-cylinder engines, and the 2.7-litre and 3.5-litre V6 engines. The latter powers the all-new Ford GT supercar that will return to racing in Le Mans later this month.