Ford Adds New Efficient 1.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine With Eight-Speed Transmission To Lineup

Today, Ford released details on its new fuel saving 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine and eight-speed automatic transmission to its powertrain lineup. The engine will have three cylinders and deliver performance expected from a larger four-cylinder while getting better fuel economy and achieving lower emissions.

The new three-cylinder engine will be available globally in the company’s smaller cars. The company is hoping this engine will play an important role in North America.

“Consumers are telling us they want to buy affordable vehicles that get many more miles per gallon,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “Our new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will give consumers looking for hybrid-like fuel economy a new, more affordable choice.”

The all-new 1.0-liter engine will feature an offset crankshaft to improve fuel economy, an advanced split cooling system allowing for faster cylinder block warm ups, saving fuel and an exhaust manifold cast into the cylinder head for a wider rpm band for optimal fuel-to-air ratio.

The all new eight-speed automatic transmission will feature Ford’s next-generation clutch controls, an input sensor, which enables faster selection of the proper gear, reducing hunting and helps for smoother shifts. As well, actuators will be built into the case for tighter, more precise control of hydrolic pressure and a closed-loop control.

“With our global family of EcoBoost engines, we’ve replaced V8s with V6s and V6s with four-cylinders – with no loss of performance and with impressive fuel economy improvements,” Kuzak said. “The new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will come in at the lower end of the global range and will take the place of a four-cylinder engine, again with no loss of performance or refinement. Above all, drivers win because this new engine is specifically designed and engineered for terrific fuel economy.”

This latest 1.0-liter engine as well as the eight-speed automatic transmission has further strengthened the company’s lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford now has four vehicles that exceed the 40 mpg mark.

“In the last five years, we have made a record investment in new powertrains and fuel-saving technologies,” said Kuzak. “Today, we have the freshest powertrain lineup in the industry. And there is plenty more coming.”