Ford Motor Co.'s big bet on its new line of EcoBoost engines appears to be paying off.EcoBoost engines combine turbo-charging and direct fuel-injection to generate more horsepower and torque from a smaller motor. German automakers were the first to combine these technologies for performance, though Ford was the first to optimize them for better mileage, as well as more horsepower and torque. It has filed some 125 patents to protect the EcoBoost approach.
Ford's first EcoBoost engine was a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces as much power as a V-8 with the fuel economy of a V-6. It debuted on the Lincoln MKS sedan in July. Since then, the same engine has been offered in the Ford Flex crossover and the high-performance Taurus SHO. Its latest application is in the new Lincoln MKT crossover.
Demand for the engines, which promise better mileage while delivering more power, has taken off since they debuted last summer. Ford's first analysis of EcoBoost sales data, completed last week, found that the number of customers opting for EcoBoost engines far exceeded the Dearborn automaker's expectations for all four models that offer it as an option.
"It clearly was part of our plan to distinguish us in a very crowded marketplace," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's global head of product development. "It's doing that very well."
The next vehicles to get EcoBoost in North America will be the F-150 and the all-new Ford Explorer, both due late next year. The 1.0-liter three-cylinder version is designed to replace small four-cylinder motors and will likely find its way into future versions of the Ford Fiesta and Focus.
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