Flagship Refined: 2013 Ford Taurus
April 3, 2012 by admin
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford Taurus SHO EcoBoost
April 3, 2012 by admin
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford Taurus SHO EcoBoost
MSRP: $26,600; price as tested: $32,795
Though it made its mark as a middleweight, Ford’s Taurus moved up in class three years ago. It was fully redone in 2010, when it vacated its title as perennially popular midsize, in favor of a new role as a contender in the large car ranks.
If the 2010 makeover was a reinvention, the byword for 2013 is refinement. Ford’s flagship rolls into showrooms with a bagful of tasteful tweaks and new technology.
Taurus is offered in one body style (four-door sedan) and three trim levels (SE, SEL and Limited). Front wheel drive and all wheel drive versions are available, with a high performance SHO model rounding out the 2013 lineup. Prices start at $26,600. My test drive was in a Taurus Limited with all wheel drive.
The most obvious changes to the new Taurus are those that the eyes can see. The latest look is more aggressive, and starts with a shield shaped front grille. Active shutters embedded there reduce aerodynamic drag at speed, which in turn helps boost gas mileage. The grille is bordered by a pair of long, narrow projector headlamps, and capped by a new, beveled hood, with a lowered, muscular form. The stand-out differences in back are the LED taillights, which provide an upgrade in both looks and visibility.
Sliding inside, the interior’s improvements for 2013 key on comfort and convenience. A carryover from the 2010 redesign is plenty of cargo space and passenger room. The trunk measures a generous, 20.1 cubic feet. The narrow trunk opening hinders the loading of bulky items, and the liftover height to access the space is moderately high.
Leaving the luggage behind, Taurus very comfortably accommodates adults in both rows. It’s a little quieter in the cabin now, thanks to added insulation behind the dash and inside the A-pillars. Soft-touch material is wrapped around most anything you come in contact with, including the sides of the center console.
MyFord Touch (the company’s electronics interface) and SYNC (Ford’s voice-activated communications and entertainment control system) have improved functionality for 2013. The driver can check system information on the eight inch display atop the center stack, as well as in a pair of 4.2-inch color screens nestled on either side of the speedometer. You can also access this system via voice activation, or the five-way toggle switches on the steering wheel.
Speaking of touch, the HVAC system is controlled by touch pad buttons mounted low on the center stack. The buttons are a fairly small target to zero in on while driving, and tough to hit accurately — especially with a winter-gloved hand. Upsizing would also help the font size of the temperature readouts on the main display. Their small size is potentially distracting for the driver. Highlights from the option sheet include a heated steering wheel, power, rear window sunshade, auto high beams, rain sensing wipers and contoured, massaging front seats.
The performance-minded SHO (which we will feature in a future test drive) gets Ford’s 3.5 liter, 365 h.p. EcoBoost V-6 engine. Newly available for 2013 is a 2.0 liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Taurus is the first, North American model to receive this motor, which, like the other EcoBoost offerings, employs direct injection and turbocharging. It also offers the promise of up to 31 mpg’s on the highway. We’ve not yet had access to the 2.0 liter for testing, and it will be interesting to find out how the four-cylinder feels when powering the two-ton Taurus. My drive time was spent with the volume leading, 3.5 liter DOHC V-6. Standard on all SE, SEL and Limited models, this six is rated at 288 horsepower, and 254 lb. ft. of torque. Like all Taurus models, it’s matched with a six speed automatic transmission. The six/six engine/transmission combo work well together, and return very solid mileage numbers, too. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 19 city/29 highway (FWD), and 18/26 (AWD).
The real corner carver in the Taurus family is the SHO. But, extensive driving of the Limited over twisty, wet and sometimes gravel covered roads revealed it to be very competent and stable feeling. New technology lends a hand, in the form of torque vectoring control and curve control. The former feature places a slight amount of braking force on the front, inside wheel when accelerating out of a corner, for greater control. The latter slows the car if you’re carrying too much speed into a turn (note: these are safety aids, not a license to Drive Dumb. No system is enough to overcome a truly meat-headed motorist). Still on the topic of “whoa,” a bigger brake master cylinder and revised booster tuning give the driver better pedal feel. All Taurus models now enjoy Electronic Power Assisted Steering. Ford has also retuned the hard mounted steering rack, spring and damper rates for balanced ride and handling.
The Taurus competes in the full-size segment with cars like the Buick Lucerne, Hyundai Azera, Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300 and Nissan Maxima. While this sector may be low key, it’s filled with high quality offerings. Ford’s slant with Taurus is to take the traditional full-size sedan values — room, comfort — wrap them in handsome, new sheet metal, and enhance the package with smart technology. The bigger, bolder Taurus was impressive when it first rolled out three years ago. The latest version is a better car, not thanks to any one big splash, but rather by waves of refinements.
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Flagship-Refined-2013-Ford-Taurus-3452946.php#ixzz1r06JDLCE
Ford Explorer Gets EcoBoost V-6 and a Touch of Swagger
April 3, 2012 by admin
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost I4 2.0L Turbo, Ford Explorer EcoBoost
April 3, 2012 by admin
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost I4 2.0L Turbo, Ford Explorer EcoBoost
On Wednesday, Ford introduced the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport, a performance version of its bread-and-butter S.U.V.
In a media release, the automaker said the vehicle, which would represent the top of the Explorer model line, was the first-ever high-performance model for its venerable Explorer nameplate. That may be true, though some Wheels readers may remember the Sport designation on a two-door version of the S.U.V. offered in the 1990s and 2000s.
The Explorer Sport shares the carlike body-chassis unit found on the 2012 Explorer, but instead of that model’s 290-horsepower V-6 and EcoBoost 4-cylinder engines, the Sport gets a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 that, according to Ford, generates at least 350 horsepower. The engine is backed by a paddle-shifted 6-speed automatic. A somewhat stout 3.16:1 final drive ratio is said to provide a balance of responsive acceleration and economical low-r.p.m. cruising.
A reinforced chassis, electric power steering with a quicker ratio and stouter suspension calibration are intended to improve the vehicle’s handling. Brakes have grown, too, though the disc and caliper sizes were not disclosed.
If Ford’s projected fuel-economy figures of 16 miles per gallon in city and 22 m.p.g. in highway driving are verified by the E.P.A., the vehicle would better the fuel economy of the 2012 Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Durango, which share a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine, by 3 m.p.g. and 2 m.p.g. in their respective categories.
In a reminder of shifting corporate allegiances, Ford compared the Explorer’s fuel economy with that of the Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport. The model was developed under Ford’s stewardship of the British S.U.V. builder, before the marque was sold along with Jaguar to Tata Motors in 2008. The Explorer Sport would have the edge by 3 m.p.g. in city and 4 m.p.g. in highway driving.
Subtle exterior cues give the Explorer Sport a somewhat more aggressive appearance than currently available trim packages. These include painted 20-inch wheels, various black trim pieces and a low-gloss gray-mesh grille with glossy black bars spanning its width.
Standard and optional features do not differ from those available at other trim levels and include 4-wheel drive, dual-zone temperature control, first-row heated power seats, rear-view camera, the MyFord Touch infotainment system and a premium sound system with 12 speakers.
Pricing for the Explorer Sport will be announced closer to its sale date this year, but as the new range-topper, it would be expected to exceed the price of an Explorer Limited with 4-wheel drive, which begins at $40,680.
source: NYtimes
EcoBoosted 2013 Ford Escape Out-Tows the Competition
April 3, 2012 by admin
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo
2.0-Liter Turbocharged Model Bests Similarly Equipped Compact SUVs
BOW, N.H. (04/02/2012)(readMedia)– Ford’s all-new 2013 Escape may be considered compact, but the automaker wants buyers to know the SUV can do its fair share of work when it comes time to do some towing. Due to reachFord dealerships later this spring, an EcoBoost-equipped Escape will provide best-in-class towing among turbocharged small SUVs, offering a more fuel-efficient alternative for transporting a snowmobile or jet skis on weekends.
While the 2013 Ford Escape won’t be available with a V6 engine, its optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine ensures that the small SUV doesn’t give up power or capability with a four-cylinder. Featuring 237 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, the all-new Escape is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds with the 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost. That is more than 1,000 pounds above the Escape’s closest competitor with a turbocharged four-cylinder, the Volkswagen Tiguan, which tows just 2,200 pounds.
“Doing more with less is tough in the auto industry, but Ford has accomplished that feat with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost in the new Escape,” said Bob McCullen, general sales manager of Bow, New Hampshire Ford dealership Grappone Ford. “Ford’s EcoBoost technology gets more power out of smaller engines, which means you can downsize for greater efficiency without sacrificing capability. That’s something that the competition has yet to figure out.”
Ford hasn’t been shy about rolling out its EcoBoost engines; the automaker chose its best-selling F-150 pickup truck to be one of the first vehicles to feature the innovative technology. The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost in the F-150 produces 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque while offering a best-in-class maximum tow rating of 11,300 pounds when properly equipped. That power only comes with a limited thirst for fuel as well, with the EcoBoost-powered F-150 returning up to 22 mpg on the highway.
Typically a tough crowd to sway, truck shoppers have embraced the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which now accounts for more than 40 percent of all F-150 sales. That success likely led Ford to slate the same engine for its upcoming Transit commercial van, which is scheduled to go on sale in 2013. The all-new Ford Transit could net a 25-percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the E-Series van it replaces, meaning impressive cost savings for business owners.
Though Ford’s EcoBoost technology may be best known for its grittier applications, the engines are also providing power for performance vehicles like the Ford Taurus SHO and the upcoming 2013 Ford Focus ST. Delivering 247 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, the new Focus ST will feature the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine when it arrives at dealers in late 2012.
“The same things that make EcoBoost technology great for work vehicles also make it a prime candidate for sports cars,” McCullen noted. “Smaller engines weigh less, and less weight means better acceleration, braking and cornering. That means that EcoBoost vehicles can play just as hard as they work.”
About Grappone Ford:
Established in 1924, Grappone Ford is the destination for New Hampshire Ford fans from Manchester, Concord and the surrounding communities who demand superior automotive service. Grappone’s friendly staff are experts in all things Ford, and their skilled technicians perform high-quality repairs and maintenance at their state-of-the-art service center. You can browse their extensive inventory of new and used Ford models online at www.grapponeford.com, call them at 888-829-8645 or stop by their dealership at 506 State Road Route 3A in Bow, New Hampshire. The Grappone Automotive Group can also be found on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/grapponeauto.
First Drive: Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost
February 17, 2012 by admin
Filed under All Articles, EcoBoost 3-Cyl 1.0L Turbo, EcoBoost Engines
Engine downsizing is now an established trend in the motor industry. Look under the bonnet of a Jaguar XF or a Mercedes CLS and it’s quite likely that you will find a 2.2-litre diesel instead of the big six or eight cylinder petrol engine that you’d previously have expected.
The Volkswagen group has produced some notable ‘big car small engine’ combinations too, including the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Sharan, which are available with turbo charged 1.4-litre petrol power units. The reason is that a boosted small engine can provide the power of a big engine while retaining the economy of a small one if, and it’s a big if, the whole thing is executed properly.
Now Ford has produced what is probably the most extreme example of engine downsizing so far by launching a version of its Golf-sized Focus with a tiny 1.0-litre petrol engine. Not only is the new engine smaller than anything that’s ever been fitted to a Focus before, it’s only got three cylinders. Three-cylinder engines are already fairly common on today’s smallest models such as the Volkswagen Up but nobody has fitted a three to a mainstream production car the size of the Focus in living memory. One reason that may be controversial is that the number of cylinders an engine has also influences its character; a three cylinder engine tends to have a slightly raggedy note that can give a small car a bit of character but risks being out of place in something bigger and more posh like the Focus.
Of course, just sticking a small engine in a big car isn’t going to produce very good results by itself so Ford has incorporated a vast array of performance and efficiency enhancing measures into its new power unit, although it is also quite notable for a feature that has been omitted; most three-cylinder engines are fitted with balancer shafts that make them run more smoothly but Ford has saved weight and friction by dispensing with balancer shafts and instead uses an unbalanced flywheel and specially developed engine mounts in order to smooth things out. Turbo charging, direct injection and variable valve timing allow Ford to extract very high outputs from the new engine, which will be offered in 100 and 125 horsepower versions. These achieve combined cycle fuel consumption figures of 58.8 and 56.5 mpg respectively, and CO2 emissions of 109 and 114 g/km, figures that match some of the best diesels. The engine only weighs 95kg and is so small it can stand on an A4-sized sheet of paper. That in turn means that any car to which it is fitted – and its use won’t be confined to the Focus – will be lighter and should handle more sweetly with less weight at the front end.
SOURCE: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/first-drive-ford-focus-10-ecoboost-7074183.html (Click to read more)
2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Contender: Ford F-150
December 8, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford F-150 EcoBoost
April 3, 2012 by admin
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo
While the 2013 Ford Escape won’t be available with a V6 engine, its optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine ensures that the small SUV doesn’t give up power or capability with a four-cylinder. Featuring 237 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, the all-new Escape is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds with the 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost. That is more than 1,000 pounds above the Escape’s closest competitor with a turbocharged four-cylinder, the Volkswagen Tiguan, which tows just 2,200 pounds.
“Doing more with less is tough in the auto industry, but Ford has accomplished that feat with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost in the new Escape,” said Bob McCullen, general sales manager of Bow, New Hampshire Ford dealership Grappone Ford. “Ford’s EcoBoost technology gets more power out of smaller engines, which means you can downsize for greater efficiency without sacrificing capability. That’s something that the competition has yet to figure out.”
Ford hasn’t been shy about rolling out its EcoBoost engines; the automaker chose its best-selling F-150 pickup truck to be one of the first vehicles to feature the innovative technology. The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost in the F-150 produces 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque while offering a best-in-class maximum tow rating of 11,300 pounds when properly equipped. That power only comes with a limited thirst for fuel as well, with the EcoBoost-powered F-150 returning up to 22 mpg on the highway.
Typically a tough crowd to sway, truck shoppers have embraced the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which now accounts for more than 40 percent of all F-150 sales. That success likely led Ford to slate the same engine for its upcoming Transit commercial van, which is scheduled to go on sale in 2013. The all-new Ford Transit could net a 25-percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the E-Series van it replaces, meaning impressive cost savings for business owners.
Though Ford’s EcoBoost technology may be best known for its grittier applications, the engines are also providing power for performance vehicles like the Ford Taurus SHO and the upcoming 2013 Ford Focus ST. Delivering 247 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, the new Focus ST will feature the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine when it arrives at dealers in late 2012.
“The same things that make EcoBoost technology great for work vehicles also make it a prime candidate for sports cars,” McCullen noted. “Smaller engines weigh less, and less weight means better acceleration, braking and cornering. That means that EcoBoost vehicles can play just as hard as they work.”
About Grappone Ford:
Established in 1924, Grappone Ford is the destination for New Hampshire Ford fans from Manchester, Concord and the surrounding communities who demand superior automotive service. Grappone’s friendly staff are experts in all things Ford, and their skilled technicians perform high-quality repairs and maintenance at their state-of-the-art service center. You can browse their extensive inventory of new and used Ford models online at www.grapponeford.com, call them at 888-829-8645 or stop by their dealership at 506 State Road Route 3A in Bow, New Hampshire. The Grappone Automotive Group can also be found on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/grapponeauto.
First Drive: Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost
February 17, 2012 by admin
Filed under All Articles, EcoBoost 3-Cyl 1.0L Turbo, EcoBoost Engines
Engine downsizing is now an established trend in the motor industry. Look under the bonnet of a Jaguar XF or a Mercedes CLS and it’s quite likely that you will find a 2.2-litre diesel instead of the big six or eight cylinder petrol engine that you’d previously have expected.
The Volkswagen group has produced some notable ‘big car small engine’ combinations too, including the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Sharan, which are available with turbo charged 1.4-litre petrol power units. The reason is that a boosted small engine can provide the power of a big engine while retaining the economy of a small one if, and it’s a big if, the whole thing is executed properly.
Now Ford has produced what is probably the most extreme example of engine downsizing so far by launching a version of its Golf-sized Focus with a tiny 1.0-litre petrol engine. Not only is the new engine smaller than anything that’s ever been fitted to a Focus before, it’s only got three cylinders. Three-cylinder engines are already fairly common on today’s smallest models such as the Volkswagen Up but nobody has fitted a three to a mainstream production car the size of the Focus in living memory. One reason that may be controversial is that the number of cylinders an engine has also influences its character; a three cylinder engine tends to have a slightly raggedy note that can give a small car a bit of character but risks being out of place in something bigger and more posh like the Focus.
Of course, just sticking a small engine in a big car isn’t going to produce very good results by itself so Ford has incorporated a vast array of performance and efficiency enhancing measures into its new power unit, although it is also quite notable for a feature that has been omitted; most three-cylinder engines are fitted with balancer shafts that make them run more smoothly but Ford has saved weight and friction by dispensing with balancer shafts and instead uses an unbalanced flywheel and specially developed engine mounts in order to smooth things out. Turbo charging, direct injection and variable valve timing allow Ford to extract very high outputs from the new engine, which will be offered in 100 and 125 horsepower versions. These achieve combined cycle fuel consumption figures of 58.8 and 56.5 mpg respectively, and CO2 emissions of 109 and 114 g/km, figures that match some of the best diesels. The engine only weighs 95kg and is so small it can stand on an A4-sized sheet of paper. That in turn means that any car to which it is fitted – and its use won’t be confined to the Focus – will be lighter and should handle more sweetly with less weight at the front end.
SOURCE: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/first-drive-ford-focus-10-ecoboost-7074183.html (Click to read more)
2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Contender: Ford F-150
December 8, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford F-150 EcoBoost
December 8, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford F-150 EcoBoost
Written by: Motor Trend Staff on December 6 2011 12:00 PM
Editor’s Note: starting today with the Ford F-150, we’ll be previewing each of our 2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year contenders leading up to the official announcement on Monday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. eastern time.
We had a pair of F-150s for our 2012 Truck of the Year testing that represent two of the more popular trim levels: a Platinum Edition EcoBoost and an XLT 5.0-liter V-8. Also new for this year (although not on hand for our test) are Ford’s entry-level 302-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 and the range-topping 411-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8. We extensively tested all four engine options early this year, so we’re very familiar with power levels and delivery of the entire lineup.
2011 Ford F-150 Mashup review: Ecoboost V6 Twin Turbo vs 5.0L V8
December 8, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford F-150 EcoBoost
December 8, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford F-150 EcoBoost
( http://www.TFLcar.com ) The 2011 Ford F-150 Ecoboost Twin Turbo has been a surprise grand slam for Ford. Not only has this V6 Twin Turbo pick-up proved to be the most popular engine choice in the country’s most popular vehicle but it also surprised many automotive journalist and buyers with it’s fuel economy, towing capacity and 365 horsepower. So which is the better F-150? The traditional V8 or the brand new twin turbo V6 Ecoboost? Check out this video as we compare the two Ford best selling pick-ups to each other.
iDrive: Ford Galaxy Ecoboost
December 8, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost I4 1.6L Turbo
The people-carrier of choice for Britain’s minicab drivers and space-savvy families across the land has had a revamp with a new, greener engine.
The huge Galaxy is already a big seller for Ford – London’s largest private hire firm alone runs 1,600 of them, and Mondeo Man across the country has matured and opted for a Galaxy for his budget and space-conscious family. But does Ford’s MPV make sense with its new frugal EcoBoost petrol engine?
It’s certainly the cheapest option but until now most big MPVs have used torque-heavy diesel engines. The new 1.6 EcoBoost is certainly economical – on several test runs I got close to its officially reported mpg (not always an easy task). This is thanks to some clever turbo-charging and direct injection, which means Ford can replace a larger engine for one with lower consumption and emissions without, in theory, sacrificing performance. And married to a smooth sixspeed gearbox, the new Galaxy is a capable ride. When I packed a dog, a few friends and a weekend’sv luggage into its roomy rear for a weekend away it had enough pulling power though, reaching speed and overtaking at times took some aggressive downshifting and forward planning. It’s hard to imagine the performance won’t suffer with a full-size family on board. Elsewhere, as you would expect from Ford, a company shifting more than 16,000 cars a month, its build quality is excellent and ride silky smooth, with the minimum of road and tyre noise. My test model was a Titanium X, costing nearly £34k with extras including touch-screen sat-nav, rear parking camera, metallic paint and heated seats. Not cheap even for all that, but Ford points out that most Galaxy buyers tend to splash out on higher-spec model.
1.6-Liter EcoBoost I-4 Debuts in UK Focus – Should it come to the US?
December 3, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost I4 1.6L Turbo
December 8, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost I4 1.6L Turbo
The people-carrier of choice for Britain’s minicab drivers and space-savvy families across the land has had a revamp with a new, greener engine.
The huge Galaxy is already a big seller for Ford – London’s largest private hire firm alone runs 1,600 of them, and Mondeo Man across the country has matured and opted for a Galaxy for his budget and space-conscious family. But does Ford’s MPV make sense with its new frugal EcoBoost petrol engine?
It’s certainly the cheapest option but until now most big MPVs have used torque-heavy diesel engines. The new 1.6 EcoBoost is certainly economical – on several test runs I got close to its officially reported mpg (not always an easy task). This is thanks to some clever turbo-charging and direct injection, which means Ford can replace a larger engine for one with lower consumption and emissions without, in theory, sacrificing performance. And married to a smooth sixspeed gearbox, the new Galaxy is a capable ride. When I packed a dog, a few friends and a weekend’sv luggage into its roomy rear for a weekend away it had enough pulling power though, reaching speed and overtaking at times took some aggressive downshifting and forward planning. It’s hard to imagine the performance won’t suffer with a full-size family on board. Elsewhere, as you would expect from Ford, a company shifting more than 16,000 cars a month, its build quality is excellent and ride silky smooth, with the minimum of road and tyre noise. My test model was a Titanium X, costing nearly £34k with extras including touch-screen sat-nav, rear parking camera, metallic paint and heated seats. Not cheap even for all that, but Ford points out that most Galaxy buyers tend to splash out on higher-spec model.
1.6-Liter EcoBoost I-4 Debuts in UK Focus – Should it come to the US?
December 3, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost I4 1.6L Turbo
Written by: Christian Seabaugh on November 30 2011 12:00 PM
Ford officially introduced the 1.6-liter EcoBoost I-4 today under the hood of the new Ford Focus Zetec S. Currently producing 178-hp and available only in the United Kingdom in the Focus Zetec S, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost I-4 was recently previewed under the hood of the Fiesta ST Concept.
The EcoBoost 1.6-liter I-4 is intended to make the newly created Ford Focus Zetec S a stopgap hot hatch while Britons wait for the Focus ST to arrive early next year. Under the hood of the Focus Zetec S the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-banger is good for 178-hp, a 0-62 mph time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 138 mph. The 1.6-liter EcoBoost I-4 will be available with a five-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
As a Focus ST placeholder, the Focus Zetec S (available initially as a five-door hatch, with a wagon available starting in February) looks the part. The Zetec S gets a “sport styling kit” with unique front and rear spoilers, lower sill extensions, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Backing up the show is a sport suspension with stiffer springs and dampers for sportier handling.
In the U.K., the Focus Zetec S is priced equivalent to the Focus Titanium, which costs $23,495 in the New World. Would an EcoBoost 1.6-liter I-4 be an engine you’d want to see available in Focus in the United States? Should it replace the current naturally-aspirated, direct-injected 2.0? Should it be in addition to it? Will we soon see it under the hood of a U.S.-spec Fiesta ST? Should Ford follow GM and Mazda’s lead with a U.S. diesel offering for 2013? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Ford
Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/1-6-liter-ecoboost-i-4-debuts-in-uk-focus-should-it-come-to-the-us-140743.html#ixzz1fWyr6vNh
2013 Taurus SHO details released
November 21, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford Taurus SHO EcoBoost
November 21, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost V6 3.5L Turbo, Ford Taurus SHO EcoBoost
Ford’s 2013 Taurus SHO performance package will feature a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine mated with the automaker’s 6F55 six-speed transmission and torque-sensing all-wheel drive.
Other features include a sport-tuned suspension with stiffer-than-normal springs to enhance traction, and a special braking system with high-performance pads and 18-inch calipers.
This enthusiast’s Taurus can deliver 365 horsepower at 5,500 r.p.m. and 350 pound-feet of torque from 1,500 to 5,250 r.p.m.
Exterior changes are more pronounced, including a black mesh grille, with SHO-specific HID headlights. There are also 20-inch painted premium wheels.
SOURCE: http://www.freep.com/article/20111120/BUSINESS06/111200435/2013-Taurus-SHO-details-released
2013 Ford Escape: A smarter utility vehicle
November 21, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost I4 1.6L Turbo
November 21, 2011 by Chris@EBC
Filed under All Articles, Engine: EcoBoost I4 1.6L Turbo
EBC: The picture here is actually of a Kuga which is the Escape in some other markets.
The L.A. Auto Show is underway, which means the world will be introduced to a bevy of new vehicles including the new, more fuel-efficient 2013 Ford Escape. Ford unveiled the new Escape on Wednesday, calling it a Smarter Utility Vehicle, a play on the SUV acronym.
“We call our all-new Ford Escape the ‘Smarter Utility Vehicle’ because it offers the strengths that customers today really value – fuel economy, versatility and new technology that makes driving and living with the vehicle easier and more fun – all wrapped in a sleek, more modern design,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. “Ford understands that more people every year are looking at vehicles like Escape, and we want to give them even more reasons to buy.” Source: Ford
Although Ford already manufactures a hybrid Escape, the Detroit-based automaker has decided to offer other, more fuel-efficient Escape options to its customers. The new 2013 Ford Escape will come with an optional 2.0-liter or 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine.
Official EPA ratings are not yet available, but Ford estimates that the new Escapes will be up to five miles per gallon more efficient than today’s model thanks to the EcoBoost technology.
The new engine isn’t the only reason the 2013 Escape will achieve a higher fuel-efficiency rating. The redesigned Escape is 10 percent more aerodynamic than the current model, which also helps boost the miles per gallon rating.
Other features included in the redesigned Escape include active park assist to make parallel parking a breeze, an intelligent 4WD system and a sensor-based Blind Spot Information System. The 2013 Ford Escape will be available at dealerships nationwide next year.
Business guru Melissa Hincha-Ownby blogs about the latest in green biz. Read more on her green business blog: www.mnn.com/featured-blogs/mhincha.
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