Ford Outlines Future Powertrain Strategy

[T-Type]

By Byron Pope
WardsAuto.com, Jan 7, 2008 8:44 AM DEARBORN, MI – Ford Motor Co. will roll out at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week a broad, aggressive powertrain strategy designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions – without impacting vehicle performance.

The game plan will rely heavily on application of Ford’s upcoming gasoline turbo direct-injection engine technology, dubbed EcoBoost, as well as widespread use of several other weight-savings and high-efficiency technologies.

“We recognize we need to be part of the solution of global warming, part of the solution of addressing our global security,” Derrick Kuzak, group vice president-global product development says here in detailing the strategy for journalists. “We also recognize the problem is complex. It is not one single solution; solutions will evolve over time. But for us, the one fundamental principle to the approach is (carbon-dioxide) solutions that are economical and efficient.”

Kuzak also calls on other industries to help reduce CO2 emissions, citing research that shows light vehicles account for just 18% of total U.S. emissions. “The auto industry can’t do it (reduce emissions) alone,” he says.

Near-term, which Ford describes as the 2008-2012 timeframe, the auto maker plans to have some 500,000 vehicles powered by EcoBoost technology on the road in North America. More hybrid-electric vehicles and diesels also will play a role in Ford’s effort to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions across its fleet, Kuzak says.

Ford’s EcoBoost technology, originally badged TwinForce, enables the retention of fuel-efficient, lower-displacement engine architectures while promising the performance associated with larger, thirstier mills, Ford says, adding it has the capability to wrest the power of a large inline 4-cyl. engine out of a 1.0L I-4 with a 3 mpg (1.3 km/L) fuel improvement.

Furthermore, a 2.0L I-4 would produce more torque than a 3.0L V-6 engine with a 5 mpg (2.1 km/L) improvement, Kuzak says.

Overall, the technology is expected to deliver up to 20% better fuel economy, Ford says.

http://wardsauto.com/ar/ford_powertrain_strategy/

[SUPERBADD75]

i certainly hope Ford gets competitive from a performance standpoint. it seems that they're a step behind their competitors. not only do they have products that just sit and wither away (Ranger, Crown Vic, etc.), they are not class competitive for power OR efficiency with several other models. then again, at least they're not Chrysler. their quality seems to be reasonable.

[VCDJ]

I think ford is on the right track. They will produce efficient engines. Their quality is up there with honda and toyota. Higher then gm and chrysler. I few years ford will be in better shape then gm and chrysler.

[Carguy]

GM could do this with their 2.0L Turbo I4 with 3.6L V6 power they build now for the SOLSTICE GXP/SKY REDLINE! They could use it in FWD-or-RWD models that use the 260HP 3.6L V6 as an efficency read-GREEN-opt. I could see a GREEN G8 or the HOPEFULLY future RWD IMPALA with a GREEN Turbo I4 opt. Do the same with FWD Eps versions like the MALIBU/AURA ect with a 1.5L version putting out around 220HP-220FT,LB,Torque. This could work as a replacement for the minor HYBRID the build now as the new 2 mode comes on line!

[Cortazzo]

Would love to replace the 2.4l in my Fusion with a turbo 2.0l or 1.4l to get a little more zip and better fuel economy when i'm just cruising along. Belt Alternator Systems would also help with efficiency in city traffic quite a bit.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Carguy

This could work as a replacement for the minor HYBRID the build now as the new 2 mode comes on line!

The minor hybrid system shuts the car off when it's stopped in traffic. Every automaker could use turbos plus minor hybrid. Some industry experts have predicted that every car with an internal combustion engine will work that way within 15 years.

[nadepalma]

Good stuff. I'm glad Kuzak is getting his moment in the sun. I for one am looking forward to it all. The only thing that would have me worried is cost. Its great if they can get a 4 cylinder engine that gets the same power, but better efficiency, than most V6s/V8s. But there may be a cost involved that consumers may find difficult to pay: Whether it is in paying more for repairs (turbos, cooling lines, parts may need more attention to maintain), or paying more up front b/c the materials used are more expensive, etc.

That would be my only concern.

Originally Posted by T-Type

Kuzak also calls on other industries to help reduce CO2 emissions, citing research that shows light vehicles account for just 18% of total U.S. emissions. “The auto industry can’t do it (reduce emissions) alone,” he says.

That's the whole crux of it. He's right. And more people need to see that point. All the reductions in the world wont make any difference if folks aren't willing to look at other industries. Its part of the reason why I have such a hard time with CAFE standards and any other goverment imposed regulation that skirts the real problems adn real solutions.

But that's an old rant from me that I wont get into now.

[WishIhadatruck]

The Pontiac Solstice shows what is possible.

2.4L with Auto Trans 19city 24hwy
2.0L DI Turbo with AT 19city 26hwy

Better fuel economy and a much more powerful engine. Can you imagine if the engine was even smaller? How much better would the fuel economy be?

[Nightshark]

Originally Posted by WishIhadatruck

The Pontiac Solstice shows what is possible.

2.4L with Auto Trans 19city 24hwy
2.0L DI Turbo with AT 19city 26hwy

Better fuel economy and a much more powerful engine. Can you imagine if the engine was even smaller? How much better would the fuel economy be?

Keep in mind a smaller engine does not always equate to better fuel economy. A large factor is the ability of the engine in question to efficiently produce the required power to properly move the weight in question. Sometimes a slightly larger engine can be more efficient as it needs to work less to perform its job.

[igor]

well Ford said that the 2.0l I4 EB in the Explorer will provide 5 mpg improvement over the 3.0l V6. So from 14/20 (although current Explorer has the 4.0l V6, not 3.0l V6) the to about 19/25 and the 3.5l V6 EB will add 2 MPG to from 13/20 to 15/22

so 19/25 for a 275hp Explorer and 15/22 for a 340hp Explorer

In the Fusion the 3.0l v6 replaced by the 2.0l I4 EB would go from 18/26 to 23/31 and go from 200hp to 276hp at the same time - that was way more impressive

Igor

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted by Nightshark

Keep in mind a smaller engine does not always equate to better fuel economy. A large factor is the ability of the engine in question to efficiently produce the required power to properly move the weight in question. Sometimes a slightly larger engine can be more efficient as it needs to work less to perform its job.

Except these motors are Direct Injection Turbo motors so there is no loss of power going to the smaller motor. The Soltice and Sky are actually much more powerful with a smaller DI Turbo motor. It could be much smaller yet and still be just as powerful as the base motor.

[ogg vorbis]

the european opel corsa opc has a 1.6L turbo ecotec that puts out 192 bhp! their standard 2.2L motors have gdi. most people would be happy with a 1.8L vvt gdi motor putting out 160 hp that gets better than 24/32 mpg (which the astra gets). how about the 1.3L cidi turbo that makes 100 hp and 75 mpg?

mild hybrids and gdi are meant for each other. idling represents up to 17% of fuel consumption, and gdi allows for instant starts. 15 years is way too long...5 years. they don't need the large batteries for acceleration boost...just the alternator/starter.

btw, ford has some damn nice cars in europe. why is it the US gets all the dumbed down cars?

[Ambalanche]

The 2.0L DI Twin Scroll Turbo is an awesome engine. I'd like to see GM use it in more applications. I could even see it as a base engine for the new Camaro. Why not? RWD like the Kappas wrapped in a stylish Coupe body with a back seat? Make it twin turbo and call it RS.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by VCDJ

I think ford is on the right track. They will produce efficient engines. Their quality is up there with honda and toyota. Higher then gm and chrysler. I few years ford will be in better shape then gm and chrysler.

All talk... no proof... what's new.

[ctaylorzl1]

Originally Posted by igor

In the Fusion the 3.0l v6 replaced by the 2.0l I4 EB would go from 18/26 to 23/31 and go from 200hp to 276hp at the same time - that was way more impressive

But thats just dosent seem like enuf to me, concidering the new CAFE starndard. That means the hw mileage of a car the size of the Fuzion is still 4 mpg under the standard, and thats from a compact car!!! That means we had better get ALOT of Aveo, Yaris, Fit sized cars on that market, with better fuel economy. Thats why this new standard is way to harsh. I would love to see Ford get this EcoBoost stuff out, and GM follow suit(to some degree), but it just dosent seem like enuf. Especially to all these ignorant people out there who think that this new standard will make there powerful full-size SUV get 35mpg, not the fact that there wont be powerful full size SUV's due to lack of mileage. I think GM should do a turbo E85 DI version of the LL8 4.2 I6 for the trucks. Cause I dont know about you, but I dont want a Silverado Z71 with a 3.6 V6 in it! But a DI Turbo I6, I could handle......mabey