Ford is using the Frankfurt auto show to introduce its latest contribution to our impending future of tiny engines: a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder that the Blue Oval says will match the power and efficiency of a 1.6-liter.
The tiny EcoBoost promises fuel economy of about 45 mpg on the European combined cycle. And speaking of Europe, that’s where the engine will debut; first in the Focus and later in the C-Max and upcoming B-Max. Power is 99 or 118 horses, which is fairly impressive for a mere 1000 cc. Considering the power-hungry tastes of American buyers, we’ll probably only see the higher horsepower version on our shores. Ford previously said the U.S. would get this engine in the Fiesta, and maybe the Focus, too.
In 118-hp trim, the EcoBoost three makes 125 lb-ft of torque, which is available from a low 1300 rpm. The engine block is cast iron, both to keep the exterior dimensions compact and to aid in cold-start warming. Further helping cold-start warm-up are separate cooling circuits for the block and head. Among other tricks Ford employed for increased power and efficiency are a variable oil pump and air conditioning compressor. The new EcoBoost also uses a flywheel and crankshaft pulley that are intentionally unbalanced, to counteract the natural imbalances of a three-cylinder engine without resorting to power-sapping balance shafts.
A mere 118 horsepower won’t raise anyone’s pulse, but it’s yet another example of an automaker working to provide decent output in the face of incredibly high fuel-efficiency requirements. Welcome to the future. It might not be all bad.
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