Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost wins engine of the year

This is the first time Ford has taken the award, but it’s not the first glory for the engine itself, which propelled a European-spec Ford Focus to 16 world speed records last week at the XERAM test circuit in France.

The 1.0-litre also nabbed the “Best New Engine” and “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre.” Awards, where were presented by Engine Technology International magazine. The Focus is first car to be equipped with three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which will roll out to Ford’s C-MAX and B-MAX in Europe later this year.

However we won’t see the engine in Australia until it arrives in the Fiesta-based ultra-compact EcoSport SUV, due here around mid-2013. The Ecoboost 1.0-litre is small enough to fit on an A4 sheet of paper.

However it compensates for its diminutive size and capacity with a combination of turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust. Ford says this allows it to deliver the power of a larger unit while retaining the economy of a small one – officially posted at 4.8 l/100km, with CO2 emissions of 109 g/km. 

“International Engine of the Year” is judged by a panel of 76 automotive journalists from 35 countries around the world, who mark on drivability, performance, economy, refinement and application of technology. Ford’s statement says the 1.0-litre EcoBoost received 28 per cent more points than the next rival and the highest total in the competition’s history. 

“For a three-cylinder to power a vehicle like the Ford Focus with such ease proves that the future is very, very bright for the internal combustion engine,” said Slavnich of Engine Technology International. “Power, response and very good real-world fuel consumption figures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this engine and what it offers drivers today.”