Europe Gets Dibs on Smallest Engine Ever Built by Ford

[AVANTI R5]

Just the Facts:

• Ford announced on Monday that its first 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine — the smallest engine the automaker has ever built — will debut first in Europe in the Ford Focus, followed by the C-Max and B-Max.
• Ford will introduce two versions of the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine in Europe in early 2012.
• Without spelling out a timetable, Ford said the engine "ultimately" will be available in Ford models in North America, China and other regions.

COLOGNE, Germany — Ford announced on Monday that its first 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine — the smallest engine the automaker has ever built — will debut first in Europe in the Ford Focus, followed by the C-Max and B-Max. The engine is designed to give Ford an edge in the growing fuel economy war among automakers.

The announcement was made on the eve of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.
Ford will introduce two versions of the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine in Europe in early 2012, with 99 horsepower and 118 horsepower and five-speed and six-speed manual transmissions, respectively. It is the first time the automaker has disclosed specific horsepower numbers on the small engine. But it has not yet detailed what sort of fuel economy numbers consumers can expect with the small engine.

Ford said further technical details will be provided closer to launch in Europe. It also has not yet disclosed pricing information on the 1.0-liter EcoBoost.

Ford previously told Inside Line that the engine is appropriate for the Ford Fiesta and Ka. Ford says the new engine delivers horsepower and torque equivalents equal to or better than most normally aspirated 1.6-liter gas engines.

The base 2011 Ford Fiesta is equipped with a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine linked to a five-speed manual transmission. The EPA says it returns 28 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway.

Specifics on the rollout of the small EcoBoost engine come on a day when consumers are paying $3.64 for a gallon of unleaded gasoline versus $2.69 a year ago, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge. The price of gasoline has been shaping up as a major issue in the 2012 presidential race.

Inside Line says: Are Americans ready for a 1.0-liter engine or is Ford opting for the safe route by launching the smallest EcoBoost in Europe first?

http://www.insideline.com/ford/europ...t-by-ford.html

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[Allch Chcar]

Now that would make a nice engine for the Fiesta. People who are cheap can get the N/A 1.6L and the upmarket version is a torquier turbo engine.

The price of gasoline has been shaping up as a major issue in the 2012 presidential race.

...I certainly hope the price of gasoline doesn't become a major political talking point. Can we say inflation? We still have the some of the cheapest Gasoline in the "free world."

[russnuck]

Not to be picky... my wife had a 1.0L Mark IV Fiesta in Brazil.

[ChiWRX]

Originally Posted by russnuck

Not to be picky... my wife had a 1.0L Mark IV Fiesta in Brazil.

But did it has the turbos?

[max_stirling]

My first car was a Geo Metro with a 1.0L 3 cylinder and it was fine. Won't win any races but I was able to get it over 75mph with a passenger and our stuff without much issue. Also drove it from Va to Miami for spring break a couple of times also without any problems. Throw in a turbo and modern technology and it would make a great first vehicle for a high school or college student.

[Einzelherz]

Originally Posted by max_stirling

Throw in a turbo and modern technology and it would make a great first vehicle for a high school or college student.

Does not compute.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by ChiWRX

But did it has the turbos?

Not likely .

Originally Posted by Einzelherz

Does not compute.

They did offer a turbo on those way back in the late 80's. They had the GTI which was a N/A DOHC version of the 1.3L around that time and there was the Chevy Sprint which had a turbo 1.0L with MPFI, 73BHP!

[bubbly Bullseye]

haha... sweet so we can go from the 4bangers 27mpg @ 118mph to 45mpg at 90mph down a hill with a tail wind.

[UKscooby]

Hmmm, I thought there where 950cc early Fiestas and Escorts back in the 70's?

brb googling....

Ok, seems like they made several 1.0 liter engines over the decades but I cant see anything smaller right now.

[russnuck]

No turbo, but with a 5 speed and 1.0L of fury you could keep your foot flat on the floor everywhere!

[bubbly Bullseye]

Originally Posted by russnuck

No turbo, but with a 5 speed and 1.0L of fury you could keep your foot flat on the floor everywhere!

Something something, headgaskets, something something spun bearings, something oil something.

[max_stirling]

Originally Posted by Einzelherz

Does not compute.

Could have been better written. Basically, a '90's 1.0L NA 3 cylinder was fine. A modern 1.0L FI 3 cylinder with DI would be really nice.