Three-cylinder engine for Ford line-up

The 1.0-litre unit – shown in the Ford B-Max concept at May's Geneva motor show – is the smallest the Blue Oval has ever introduced, but comes with promises that its power and torque will match current four-cylinders.

"Our new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine will give consumers looking for hybrid-like fuel economy a new, more affordable choice," Ford vice president of global product development Derrick Kuzak announced on Friday.

The current Fiesta in Australia carries an 88kW/151Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder with fuel economy of 6.1L/100km, which means that any significant improvement by the new engine should see it at least matching the Suzuki Alto’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder with 4.7L/100km (manual).

Any improvement on that would make it yet another non-hybrid rival for the eco-worthiness of the Toyota Prius’ 3.9L/100km – at likely better than half the price.

The new three-cylinder Ford engine uses several cooling and fuel-saving technologies – such as an offset crankshaft, slipt cooling system and one-piece manifold/cylinder-head assembly that widens the rev band and saves weight. The engine also features the turbocharging, direct-injection and twin camshaft timing already seen in the rest of the Ecoboost line.

It will be available globally in the company’s small cars and will be built in several plants around the world. There was no information about which plants those would be, or indication of whether Australia had a chance of making the list.

Ford is also working on developing two new transmissions – an eight-speed automatic similar to the swift shifting ZF seen in the Audi and BMW ranges – and an electronic CVT to replace the Japan-sourced one currently used in the company’s hybrid vehicles in overseas markets.