Back in June we spoke with Ford Motor Company’s vice president of powertrain engineering in the U.S., Joe Bakaj about the firm’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine joining the North American lineup. At the time, Ford had brought over some European spec Focus models powered by this engine in an effort to gauge public reaction. Although Bakaj didn’t say at the time which models this engine would power if brought here, Ford has now confirmed that the 1.0-litre EcoBoost will be an option in the 2014 Fiesta.
Expected to be rated at 123 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, the new EcoBoost unit is expected to deliver 40 mpg U.S. (5.88 L/100 km) in the Fiesta and should help Ford toward its goal of meeting tighter Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which mandate that all cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. meet a fleet average of 54.5 mpg (4.3 L/100 km) by 2025 (Canadian fuel economy requirements closely follow those set south of the border).
Although Ford hasn’t yet announced pricing, an official statement from the company says that it will be “a very affordable option.” Additionally, it should give Ford’s dealer network a chance to sell a cost effective and fuel efficient alternative to customers who are seeking fuel economy but perhaps aren’t yet ready for hybrids or EVs.
Many customers would like the fuel efficiency of a modern diesel or a hybrid, but can’t stretch their budgets to cover the cost premium,” said Bakaj. “That’s where the EcoBoost Fiesta fits in. It will offer a highly fuel-efficient alternative at a lower cost.”
Engineered at Ford’s Dunton, Essex UK facility, the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is a member of Ford’s global EcoBoost family and in Europe, now accounts for 30 per cent of all Focus sales.
Despite being a three-cylinder and as a result inherently unbalanced, Ford has gone to great lengths to deliver a level of smoothness and refinement that matches traditional four-cylinder units, while minimizing weight. “We decided not to use a balance shaft in the engine because it adds weight and increases friction or parasitic losses,” remarked Bob Fascetti, director of Ford Global Engineering, “so we balance the engine externally with the crankshaft pulley and flywheel.”
