APR 06

While hybrids and electric cars are certainly the vehicles of the future, the majority of sales in the U.S. are still traditional vehicles. Given this volume, even small improvements to standard engines can yield big emissions savings nationwide. So when Ford announced its Eco-Boost turbocharged, direct-injection technology, which would bring emissions cuts and mileage increases to its standard models, there was definitely cause for excitement.

This summer the first cars featuring EcoBoost – the Ford Flex and the Lincoln MKS -- will hit the road. Later in the summer, two more will deploy – the new Taurus SHO and Lincoln MKT. So how are these cars shaping up?

Basically, according to early released information, EcoBoost is allowing the new Lincoln MKS to deliver better performance than its 4.2-4.8-liter V8 engine-sporting competitors, with only a 3.5-liter V6 engine, all the while increasing fuel economy and cutting emissions.

Take the Cadillac STS, GM’s 4.6-liter V8 engine luxury sedan. The Lincoln MKS handily beats it in horsepower, 355 hp to 320 hp. But what about torque? From about 1500 RPMs to 5500 RPMs, the Eco-Boost Lincoln delivers a steady 350 ft-lb s of torque. The Cadillac, meanwhile, ramps up much slower, struggling to break 315 ft-lb s at its peak.

The Cadillac can only muster 22 MPG while emitting 248 g of CO2/km. The Lincoln gets 25 MPG while emitting 218 g of CO2/km.

The Lincoln also bests similar V8 Lexus, Audi, BMW, and Infiniti luxury models, offering significant performance and fuel economy increases. Of course, all of these numbers are from Ford’s internal testing, so they should be taken with a grain of salt, but still, the EcoBoost gains are looking to be impressive.

As previously reported, in 2010 the Ford F150 will get the option of a V6 EcoBoost engine, which will get better performance than the current V8 while managing 20 percent better fuel economy.

However, for most of us who like smaller, more efficient cars, the best is yet to come. Ford is working on 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter V4 engines with EcoBoost. The 1.6-liter will go into production later this year and start appearing in vehicles like the Focus.

By 2013 Ford wants 90 percent of all its vehicle models to have an EcoBoost engine as an option. While it would certainly be nice to see this become a stock offering, this is much more aggressive than their initial plan and definitely a step in the right direction. It should be exciting to see more performance and efficiency numbers on the new V4’s when they arrive.

Via AutoBlogGreen

Comments (16)

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written by russ, April 06, 2009

This is the TDI that has been in use in Europe for years?

Detroit is really on the ball!

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nice press release
written by adam, April 06, 2009

The Cadillac can only muster 22 MPG while emitting 248 g of CO2/km. The Lincoln gets 25 MPG while emitting 218 g of CO2/km.

This doesn't seem like the kind of fuel savings that's worth mentioning other than having "Eco" in the name, which is really just greenwashing a still inefficient system. Let's see at least 50 mpg before calling "Eco". Please.

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re: nice press release
written by Tom, April 06, 2009

The Cadillac can only muster 22 MPG while emitting 248 g of CO2/km. The Lincoln gets 25 MPG while emitting 218 g of CO2/km.

That is a 12% increase in efficiency. Where I come from that is significant.

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written by Ben, April 06, 2009

TDI stands for Turbo Diesel Injection. Does this look like a Diesel engine to you Russ.

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EcoBoost
written by moe, April 06, 2009

This may work better in a hybrid engine. It could boost mpg above 50 and I would say this is an improvement. 22 to 25 mpg is really nothing to write home about. I can do that by just controlling my acceleration.

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written by MD, April 06, 2009

Can you pull a horse trailer with your Toyota Pius?

Didn't think so...

I agree that it may be too little, too late, but at least they are doing some R&D...

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V4?
written by Eric, April 06, 2009

Really? A V4? not an inline 4cyl?

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written by JonnyUtaw, April 06, 2009

All this talk about "new inovations" by the US auto makers is BS!!!! They selll cars in Europe that already get way better fuel ecconomy. It's all greenwashing. Putting ECO in front of something doesn't make it so. The US automakers really need to get serious about giving us better cars. Talk is cheap.

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TDI? No...TBI? Maybe
written by david ben avram, April 06, 2009

Maybe this is an advanced TBI engine (throttle body injection)--which was very early fuel injection. Any more detail on how this works? Maybe we can mod existing TBIs to this line of injection/combustion. Keep in mind these results are probably measured from the flywheel and therefore about 10-20% overambitious.

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Direct Injection
written by Matt James, April 06, 2009

Direct injection technology has been around for a while with diesel cars - that's the TDI nomenclature from VW - and this is similar. This is for gasoline engines.

Direct injection allows for much more precise timing, and the higher pressures necessary to deliver fuel into a compressed chamber improve the spray pattern - and combustion - drastically.

Ford's a little late to the game, as Mitsubishi has been using DI on gas engines for years. Other manufacturers in Europe and Japan have been using the technology, too - what makes this noteworthy is that it's happening with one of the Big Three. Finally.

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Also Eco-Boost with Ethanol Injection
written by Carl, April 06, 2009

Reported earlier was this eco-boost technology (gasoline turbocharged direct injection) combined with a second injector for ethanol. The ethanol injector allows the compression to be doubled without knock, increasing torque, and supposedly allowing 20-30% fuel economy increase over a conventional engine.

The plain eco-boost news here is the same as that reported January 2008

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Small steps
written by Brian Parker, April 06, 2009

This may be a small step, and may not be the most cutting edge addition we have seen in the auto industry, but it is a step. I applaud Ford for discontinuing the massive SUV line, and moving in the right direction. I think Ford will have the ability and flexibility to launch these new additions to their product line much more so than the other auto makers who have asked for a hand out from the government.

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written by jac, April 07, 2009

All it will do is allow you to make bigger trucks and SUVs without worsening the fuel economy. Hurray.

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3.5 liter engine? Are you serious?
written by hyperspaced, April 09, 2009

Why would somebody need a 3.5 liter engine to go to his work or on vacation with his family? Modern 2.0 ~ 2.5 liter engines are MORE THAN ENOUGH for family trips and 1.4 liter for the daily commute. If you don't change the way you think not even the best hybrid technology in the world will be enough.

Mercedes and Toyota are planning for a total shift to hybrid-engine car making while Ford is revamping old technologies...

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try the marine industry
written by dave, April 28, 2009

I'm an ex out board tech.We are all getting dubpt.Mercury makes an outboard two stroke that uses the real concept of direct injection and could easly be adapted to a four stroke.The motor is called the optimax.It uses two injectors in line with each other.One injector for fuel ,the other for compressed air.This system on a 2.5L 250hp two stroke @7000rpm makes better power,fuel comsumption and emissions than the same four stroke fuel injected outboard @5000rpms.Look it up

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TDI:
written by mike, May 18, 2009

Turbo Direct Injection

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