As it aims to meet ever stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy Targets, Ford Motor Company continues with its march to introduce still more smaller displacement, turbocharged and direct injected EcoBoost engines into its North American product lineup.

From seven models available with EcoBoost technology last year, the number will increase to 11 for 2012, with the Focus, 2013 Ford Escape and Fusion as well as Ford’s new Police Interceptor joining the ranks.

For the Escape and the Fusion, which currently represent the volume segments, Ford will offer both 1.6 and 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, with a 2.0-liter unit also set aside for the compact Focus.

The Taurus based Interceptor meanwhile, will receive a version of the 365 horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, currently doing duty in the SHO.

“Ford is committed to delivering class-leading fuel economy for our customers, which benefits the environment and helps the U.S. move toward greater energy independence,” declared Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering in response to EcoBoost expansion.

“Availability in high-volume nameplates such as the all-new Ford Escape and Fusion will take this affordable, fuel-saving technology to the heart of the market,” she said.

The proliferation of EcoBoost engines in 2012 should help Ford to deliver EPA fuel mileage targets of 40 miles per gallon or more across nine different models by the end of the year, certainly helping its chances of meeting tough CAFE regs of 35.5 mpg for both passenger cars and light trucks.

Read AutoGuide’s 2012 Ford Explorer EcoBoost Review Here

5. 2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv

What’s the best car of 2012? Who knows. Is a Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 better than a Ferrari 458 Italia? What about the Scion FR-S? Or a Prius Plug-in Hybrid? The past year has seen the launch of numerous excellent vehicles, including some we really didn’t expect to be any good. That said, we’ve put together our list of the top five surprisingly good cars of 2012, starting with the updated Mazda3.

We thoroughly enjoyed the new 3 (read our 2012 Mazda3 review here), something that’s not at all surprising at first. What is more of a shock is that it was Mazda’s new Skyactiv model, designed primarily for fuel economy, and that it managed to deliver in that department while sticking true to the brand’s Zoom-Zoom slogan.

Adding to our reasons for placing this car on our list of surprisingly good cars is the technology behind it. At both a preview event and the actual drive, Mazda gave us a deep-dive into the engineering solutions behind its new SkyActiv technologies, rethinking every aspect of the engine and transmission for this updated model. When Ford sold off its shares in Mazda recently many skeptics proclaimed that in this new era a smaller company like Mazda couldn’t possibly hope to be competitive without a large partner like, say, Toyota. But Mazda has proved them wrong, not only competing, but perhaps delivering the the only 40 mpg car that’s actually fun to drive.

10. Fiat Returns to America

As another calendar year draws to a close it’s time to take a look back at the top 10 biggest stories of the year in the auto industry. It’s been a busy 12 months, starting all the way back in March when the Fiat 500 officially went on sale, marking the return of the brand to America. The last time an Italian car was sold here that didn’t cost six figures (or close to it) was 27 years ago. Since then, Fiat has introduced the 500C convertible model and most recently the Fiat 500 Abarth, aimed at enthusiasts.

The jury is still out on the Fiat brand’s success in North America, although the first year has failed to live up to expectations, with Fiat predicting sales of 50,000 units, while according to automotive data firm GoodCarBadCar only 17,444 have been sold in the first 11 months of the year (add 5,000 more if you include Canada). Some of this may be the result of Fiat’s marketing initiative with several ads featuring Jenifer Lopez, which the Fiat faithful rejected and many believe cost the brand boss Laura Souve her job. Getting the Fiat dealer network up and running also proved a challenge.

With more models coming, and Alfa Romeo set to return in 2013, Fiat is here to say. More importantly, perhaps, is the Fiat connection to Chrysler – a company it saved from bankruptcy and which it is now slowly rebuilding back into a profitable automaker.

For decades, we’ve known Ford crate engines to be huge V8 powerplants packing plenty of cubic inches and power. But Ford has been quietly offering a 2.0L inline-four from its old Focus for midget racers but very few even paid attention to that option.

Now Ford has added their new-generation 2.0L Focus engine and looks to add an EcoBoost variant in the future. Ford announced a pair of new V8 crate motors for 2012, adding a 347 pushrod motor based on the historic Boss 302 block. With 363-cubic inches, it packs 500-hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The other new crate engine is a 427-cubic inch powerplant and is based on Ford’s Boss 351 engine block. With Ford Racing’s X-heads system, it makes 500-hp and 520 lb-ft of torque.

But the new addition of the 2.0L inline-four from the Focus is what’s making headlines, with its 160-hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated engine will be complemented by EcoBoost offerings which means turbocharged power for all. The 2.0L EcoBoost for example in the new Explorer makes 240-hp and 270 lb-ft of torque which suddenly becomes a very appealing engine for small race cars to mid-sized boats.

Unfortunately Ford hasn’t announced availability on the EcoBoost crate engines.

[Source: Automobile Mag]

Remember the Ford Mustang SVO with it’s turbocharged engine? The Blue Oval might just dust off that old badge for a new forced induction ‘Stang, but it won’t be a turbo 4-cylinder. In fact, with earlier confirmation that the Mustang will get an Ecoboost engine, it might not be a version of the SHO’s twin-turbo 3.5L V6 either.

Instead, there’s another option for Ford, with an announcement that the company’s Lima, Ohio, engine plant will build a small displacement V6. But an EcoBoost V6? Perhaps.

While Ford won’t confirm any details the new mill is expected to be in the 2.5L to 3.0L range, with power around 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. After all, output would have to sit somewhere between the EcoBoost 2.0L with 247-hp and 266 lb-ft and the 3.5L V6 with 365-hp and 420 lb-ft. Along with the Mustang, the new small EcoBoost V6 could replace all 3.5L and 3.7L V6 engines in everything from the Fusion to the Taurus, as well as the Edge, Explorer, F-150 and yes, even the Mustang.

[Source: Car&Driver]

The next generation Ford Escape is set to make its debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and the decade-old SUV is set to be replaced by a much more modern crossover with three new engines.

Styling-wise, the new Escape should mimic the Vertrek concept (above) that originally debuted at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in January, but the latest announcement comes regarding the new Escape’s powertrains.

Ford’s venerable 2.5L four cylinder will stay in the lineup, but a pair of Ecoboost four-cylinder engines, displacing 1.6L and 2.0L will also be on offer. We expect the Ecoboost motors to be the “premium” offerings, with the 2.0L, 237-horsepower engine being the performance offering of the range. Ford also said that the 1.6L example will beat the Escape Hybrid’s 31 mpg highway rating. Stay tuned to AutoGuide for live coverage of the Los Angeles Auto Show starting on November 16th.

Ford is giving racing enthusiasts a new Focus race car option with their ST-R that debuted at Frankfurt Motor Show. The Focus ST-R race car will feature a powerful 2.0L EcoBoost engine, FIA regulation roll cage, upgraded brakes and track-tuned suspension.

The race-tweaked, production-based ST-R was crafted by the engineers at Ford Racing and will be allowed to compete in a variety of racing series including Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and Canadian Touring Car Series. Ford also hopes that teams will pick up the ST-R and use it at notable race events such as the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.

Initially created for American and Canadian touring car racing, the ST-R is available for order from Ford dealers in North America for all race car enthusiasts from seasoned veterans to weekend amateurs.

Because the Focus ST-R is a production-based road race car, it features stock body panels and production parts where possible,” added Allison. “People who buy one will get will get a fully prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and the customer’s decals to go racing. We’ve already had significant interest in this vehicle from numerous established race teams.”

No pricing was announced from Ford’s official press release.

GALLERY: Ford Focus ST-R Race Car

If ever there was a vehicle that people seem to have completely forgotten about, it’s the Lincoln Navigator.

Once a popular SUV that battled head on with the likes of the Cadillac Escalade, the Navigator has failed to win the affections of many buyers who in the luxury SUV segment.

The Navigator is still around, and according to some rumors, an updated Navigator will bow for the 2013 model year, with some styling tweaks, and a rather big mechanical change.

Yes, like most of Ford‘s vehicles, the Navigator will also gain an EcoBoost engine, possibly the same one found in the F-150 pick-up truck.

It is not known if the motor will be tweaked for the big Lincoln, but it has already impressed many auto journalists and buyers with its fuel-economy and power (365 hp, 420 lb-ft of torque).

Expect the new Navigator to arrive in showroom’s by sometime next year.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Ford ventured into dangerous territory five years ago, when they considered switching out the traditional V8 for a V6 powerplant. The two biggest issues surrounding the change was whether the V6 would have enough power, and whether the engine would be durable enough to compete with big boy V8′s. Doug Scott, manager of Ford’s truck marketing group said, “We knew there’s no replacement for displacement. That’s a very popular saying among full-sized pickup customers, which just shows their love for the V8 engine. We knew we had a marketing challenge”.

The Ford leaders approved the plan in 2006 to begin developing an EcoBoost engine that would be suitable for the F-150. The Ford engineers were eager to build a V6 engine that could top a V8 in performance, durability and fuel economy. Ford’s chief engineer of the F-150 at the time was Eric Kuehn, who recals making many of the engine parts by hand. After months of trial and error testing, Ford put together a high-performance turbocharged EcoBoost V6 that had an immense amount of power, torque and would return very good fuel economy. The EcoBoost V6 produces 365-hp and 420 lb-ft of torque with a maximum payload of 3,060 lbs. The pickup also achieves 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

Ford had amazing initial success selling the F-150 EcoBoost and in May, June and July and the sales have only increased. The American automaker sold forty-one percent of its F-150′s with the EcoBoost engine and 15 percent of the trucks were sold with the base 3.7-liter V6, according to Ford.

Two things have helped Ford’s V6 gain ground this year, analysts say. One was the spoke this spring in fuel prices to $4 a gallon. The other was Ford’s success in building consumer recognition of the EcoBoost name, according to J.D Powers.

Martin Gubbels, owner of Big Sky Ford-Lincoln in Torrington, Wyoming stated that he has become a believer in the EcoBoost engine. “A redneck will buy an EcoBoost when they’re told by a knowledgeable salespoerson that this thing has more horesepower, torque and better fuel economy than a V8. They’ll buy it.”

[Source: Automotive News]

Ford recently announced that the four-cylinder Ecoboost powered Edge achieves  21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the Ecoboost option, an improvement over the 3.5-liter V6 which gets 19 mpg city and 27 highway.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder produces 240-hp and 270 lb-ft of torque,  down 45-hp from the V6 model, but up 17 lb-ft. The Ecoboost engine will be mated to a unique six-speed automatic transmission and the vehicle also features active grille shutters that close at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics. Pricing has not been finalized, but the EcoBoost costs $995 above the 3.5-liter V6 on the Explorer, and the same numbers are expected to carryover for Edge pricing.