Ford is working on a new engine management approach that could be a key to help enhance the fuel efficiency of its famed 1-litre, EcoBoost engine. The carmaker is currently running tests on the turbocharged three cylinder unit with a working prototype.
Through road testing of the prototype, Ford has revealed that it has witnessed improvements in fuel efficiency by up to 6 per cent after conducting an experiment relating to cylinder deactivation technology.
To enable cylinder deactivation to take place at a wider range of engine loads and speeds, Ford has developed a new dual mass flywheel which also minimises noise, vibration and harshness levels. Cylinder deactivation is among a number of fuel efficiency solutions Ford is investigating for the 1-litre EcoBoost, at the European Research and Innovation Centre in Germany.
Ford’s 1-litre EcoBoost engine last year became the first engine ever to be named International Engine of the Year three times in a row. The popular unit is available with automatic as well as 5-speed and 6-speed manual transmissions, and across 10 different models – from Fiesta to the new Mondeo. Here in India, the EcoBoost engine made its debut in the EcoSport compact crossover.