Ford Previews Production-Intent 3-Cylinder 1.0L EcoBoost in Ford Start Concept

Ford is previewing its smallest-yet EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine—and confirming it for production—at Auto China 2010 in Beijing. The 3-cylinder, 1.0L engine is applied in the Ford Start Concept, an exploration into a small, sporty car for first-time buyers and urban drivers in future growth markets.

At the show in Beijing, Ford is also showcasing the next-generation Ford Focus, debuting the Ford Edge for the China market with MyFord and SYNC technologies, and announcing that Mondeo in China will get a 2.0L EcoBoost engine and PowerShift transmission this year.

The Ford Start Concept is a bespoke concept car from Ford Motor Company making its global debut in China. The Ford Start Concept was inspired by the world’s fast-growing mega cities and the unique needs and mindset of their inhabitants. With heavy traffic, limited parking and fuel efficiency being key concerns among urban drivers, the Ford Start concept provides a vision into a future sporty, small-car package that meets a multitude of primary driving objectives, particularly among first-time buyers.

1.0L, 3-cylinder EcoBoost. The new Ford EcoBoost 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine is engineered to bring the EcoBoost promise for fuel efficiency to small cars with compact engine compartments.

The new engine is designed to use a cast iron block, cast aluminium cylinder head and cast aluminium sump. Its compression ratio will be 10:1. Its compact architecture makes it ideal for packaging in smaller vehicles—as the Start Concept demonstrates.

Extensive development shows power and torque levels comparable to a normally aspirated, 1.6-liter I4 powerplant and carbon dioxide emissions are expected to be under the 100 g/km threshold. Further technical and timing details of the new 1.0-liter engine and the vehicles it will power will be provided closer to its production launch.

A study by Delphi Powertrain presented at the recent SAE 2010 World Congress in Detroit concluded that a 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine—such as the 1.0L EcoBoost—offers an optimal combination of cost, lower emissions and reductions in fuel consumption for the most cost-sensitive vehicle segments. (Earlier post