A tiny 3-cyl petrol engine, which drivers across the world have taken to their hearts for its excellent fuel-efficiency and impressive performance, has received an 8th award in 4 years at the 2015 International Engine of the Year Awards.
For the 4th consecutive year, the Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost was named “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre.” It was judged the class winner – based on driveability, performance, economy, refinement and technology – by a panel of 87 automotive journalists, from 35 countries.
Last year, the 1.0 litre EcoBoost became the first engine to be named overall International Engine of the Year three times in a row, and was in 2012 named “Best New Engine.”
“The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine changed the game for small petrol engines and we’re proud it remains best in class despite a growing number of competitors,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe.
“The spirit of innovation that helped us create this engine is alive and well and we continue to develop new engines,” he added.
Ford is working with engineering partners at the Schaeffler Group to test a new dual mass flywheel that enables cylinder deactivation to take place at a wider range of engine loads and speeds, and help minimise noise, vibration and harshness levels. On-road tests using a working prototype at the European Research and Innovation Centre in Aachen, Germany, showed further fuel efficiency improvements of up to 6%.
“Even for an aggressively downsized engine such as the 1.0-litre EcoBoost, a significant improvement in vehicle fuel economy could be found by exploiting cylinder deactivation,” said Carsten Weber, advanced powertrain manager, Ford of Europe. “The highest priority in the development of new combustion engines for automotive applications is the ongoing reduction of fuel consumption.”
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost is produced in Cologne, Germany, Craiova, Romania and Chongqing, China, and is now available in 72 countries worldwide. Since its introduction, the engine has also been awarded the International Paul Pietsch Award 2013 for technological innovation in Germany; the Royal Academy of Engineering Colin Campbell Mitchell Award; the Dewar Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club in Great Britain; and in the U.S., the Breakthrough Award from Popular Mechanics magazine. Ford is the first automaker to win a Ward’s 10 Best Engines trophy for a three-cylinder engine.
In Malaysia, EcoBoost engines are available in several nameplates across the lineup. These include the Fiesta with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost, the Fiesta ST and Kuga with a 1.6-litre EcoBoost, and the Focus ST, Mondeo and S-Max with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost.
“Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost remains one of the finest examples of engine downsizing,” said Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the 17th International Engine of the Year awards that were held in Stuttgart, Germany, and editor of Engine Technology International magazine. “This fantastic three-cylinder shows there is still a way to go for the internal combustion engine,” he added.
