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.