UK-Designed Ford 1.0-Litre EcoBoost named ‘International Engine of the Year’
Well, the headline pretty much sums the story up, but we are talking about something very special here. We are talking “breaking the mould” in such a way that there simply wont be any going back and for petrol heads like me, this is a time of sadness, as we’ve always believed what our mothers told us and that was “there is no substitute for cubic centimeters”, so to find out our dear old mums could be proven wrong is mighty hard.
Don’t know if you are aware, but engine technology has been going mad over the past few years, primarily in an effort to reduce what’s referred to as “harmful Co2 emissions” and in face of rising fuel costs, increase each vehicles MPG and its got to be said, to a man, the guys who design our cars have done a pretty good job. Having said that, paraphrasing Napolean and the pigs in Animal Farm “some are more equal than others” and this new Ford engine is as equal as it gets!
We are talking here of a 1.0 3 cylinder engine that’s produces 125ps. We have tested this engine in Fords latest Focus and you will see from our road test just what we thought about it.
Meanwhile, below, is what Ford said about it to us in a recent press release. Enjoy:-
Ford’s new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine wins 2012 “International Engine of the Year” award
1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine also wins “Best New Engine” and “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre” in the awards presented by Engine Technology International magazine
Ford’s new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – which was launched to widespread acclaim this year in the Ford Focus, in Europe – is named 2012 “International Engine of the Year”. The small, high-tech, three-cylinder engine also received two other awards – “Best New Engine” and “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre” – in the awards presented by Engine Technology International magazine, based on votes cast by 76 journalists from 35 countries around the world.
This is the first time Ford has won International Engine of the Year in the 13-year history of the awards. Ford’s debut as International Engine of the Year winner in the awards’ 13-year history is marked by the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine also attaining the highest score ever.
Dean Slavnich, chairman of the International Engine of the Year awards and editor of Engine Technology International magazine, said: “This is a fitting victory for a truly remarkable engine. For a three-cylinder to power a vehicle like the Ford Focus with such ease proves that the future is very, very bright for the internal combustion engine.
“Power, response and very good real-world fuel consumption figures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this engine and what it offers drivers today. Well done, Ford!”
Other judges also praised the 1.0-litre EcoBoost:
“If downsizing is the way ahead, there is currently no better example than this. Same power as the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine it replaces, and much punchier to drive,” said UK-based journalist John Simister.
“With good torque at the very low end, this high-tech three-cylinder turbo gives the driving performance of a small turbo diesel, but without noise and vibrations,” said Christophe Congrega of France’s L’Automobile Magazine.
The International Engine of the Year judging panel of automotive journalists consider drivability, performance, economy, refinement and the successful application of advanced engine technology. The popularity of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost with judges saw it receive 28 per cent more points than its closest rival as well as the highest points total of any engine in the competition’s history.
Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine
Development of the award-winning engine – small enough to fit on an A4 sheet of paper – was led by the UK’s Dunton technical Centre in Essex, with assistance from other Ford European technical centres.
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine debuted this year on the Ford Focus in Europe.
The new Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost 100PS delivers outstanding fuel efficiency of 58.9mpg* and CO2emissions of 109g/km. The 125PS model returns 56.5mpg* with CO2 emissions of 114g/km.
*All fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures in g/km are from officially approved tests in accordance with EC Directive 93/116/EC. Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy Directive EU 80/1268/EEC and will differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world.
