Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has been named the 2016 International Engine of the Year event’s ‘Best Engine Under 1.0-litre’ for the fifth consecutive year – despite increased competition in its size class.
The Ecoboost was this year awarded the accolade by a panel of 65 automotive journalists from 31 countries, beating 32 competitor engines in its class – 19 more than it competed against in 2012.
The key to the OEM’s success with the EcoBoost is the combination of a smaller overall size with turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing to produce performance and fuel economy.
In fact, the tiny yet powerful engine delivers up to 20% better fuel economy than larger-displacement gasoline engines, and is available with 100 PS, 125 PS and 140 PS, and even 180 PS in the Ford Fiesta R2 rally car.
In its 140 PS form (1 PS = 0.986 hp), the 1.0-litre EcoBoost 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.
Kalyana Sivagnanam, Ford VP for sales, marketing and service in the Middle East and Africa, said: “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.
“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.”
Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the 18th International Engine of the Year awards in Stuttgart, Germany, added: “It’s testament to how down-sizing and fuel efficiency needn’t mean sacrifice in other areas like power, refinement and drivability, and can even help enhance these elements.”
The technology of Ford’s EcoBoost petrol engines is now being employed in the latest downsized diesel engine from Ford, the 2.0-litre EcoBlue launched in the Ford Transit earlier this year.
With a low inertia turbocharger, high-pressure direct fuel injection, integrated manifolds, belt-in-oil and other low friction elements it is 13% more fuel efficient and provides 20% more low-end torque.
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.
This means it is also under the hood of the Mustang, the Ford GT, Explorer and F-150 – the latter delivering a best-in-class 5,534Kg towing power.
