Saturday, January 5th, 2008
Ford to Equip Half a Million Vehicles with EcoBoost Engine Technology for up to 20% Better Fuel Economy
A major part of Ford’s near-term environmental plan is a new engine technology called EcoBoost. It will deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America during the next five years. The EcoBoost family of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines features turbocharging and direct injection technology.
Compared with more expensive hybrids and diesel engines, EcoBoost builds upon today’s affordable gasoline engine and improves it, providing more customers with a way to improve fuel economy and emissions without compromising driving performance.
Ford will start introducing EcoBoost engine technology in 2009. During the next five years, the technology will migrate to half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America alone.
The affordable engine technology – which delivers up to 20 percent better fuel economy, 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions and superior driving performance versus larger displacement engines – is slated for a range of Ford’s global vehicles, from small cars to large trucks.
In addition to environmental actions like EcoBoost, Ford is planning to introduce additional hybrid vehicles and diesel engines for light-duty vehicles in the near term, as well. Longer term, Ford plans to remain aggressive in developing plug-in hybrids, as well as hydrogen fuel cell-powered and biofuel-capable vehicles.
In 2009, Ford first will introduce the EcoBoost technology on the Lincoln MKS featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. It will produce the power and torque of a V-8 engine yet deliver the fuel efficiency of a V-6.
With an estimated 340-horsepower and more than 340 lb.-ft. of torque, the Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost is expected to be the most powerful and fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive luxury sedan in the market.
EcoBoost engines will be introduced in the Ford Flex and other vehicles later in 2009.
Tags: 2009 Lincoln MKS, EcoBoost, EcoBoost engine, engine technology, environmental technology, Ford, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, Lincoln Links, luxury sedan, Mercury, plug-in hybrids, Technology, V-6, V-8
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Saturday, January 5th, 2008
Technology migration path 2008 to 2020 and beyond
Ford Motor Company is committed to addressing the world's global warming and energy security challenges with a comprehensive strategy to accelerate and expand the use of advanced technologies across its entire product line in high volumes.
Ford's plan includes near-term, mid-term, and long-term technology implementation that benefits millions of customers without compromising their expectations for quality, safety and fuel economy. Ford begins its migration to advanced technology this year through 2012, fully implements known technology by 2020, and beyond that, Ford will be engaged in volume rollout of hybrid technologies and alternative energy sources.
Near term (2008 through 2012)
- Launch of the EcoBoost engine technology, which combines turbocharging with direct fuel injection. The result is increased fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. The 2009 Lincoln MKS will be the first vehicle with the EcoBoost engine.
- Broader application of 6-speed transmissions, including the introduction of a new fuel-saving twin-clutch transmission that delivers the fuel economy of a manual with the convenience of an automatic.
- Electric power-assisted steering systems which minimize parasitic losses of the engine, applied in about 90 percent of Ford vehicles.
- Aerodynamic improvements through better design and wind tunnel optimization.
- New hybrid models.
- Increased unibody-construction for utility vehicles.
- Diesel engines introduced on light-duty vehicles.
- Mid and long-term (2012 through 2020)
- Vehicle body weight reductions of 250-750 pounds through platform efficiencies and greater use of aluminum and high-strength steel.
- Additional hybrid offerings.
- Aggressive development on biofuel-capable powertrains, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO, outlines Ford's blueprint for sustainability during a keynote in Los Angeles in this audio clip
[audio:http://ford.digitalsnippets.com/wp-content/themes/SMPR/environment/mulally_la_autoshow.mp3]
Tags: 2009 Lincoln MKS, EcoBoost, EcoBoost engine, engine technology, Ford blueprint for sustainability, fuel economy, global warming, hybrid, hybrid technologies, sustainability, Turbocharging
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