Engineering the EcoBoost

Fast tracking a new gasoline turbocharged direct-injection engine meant Ford engineering teams had to reduce development times while capitalizing on improvements in simulation and collaboration tools.

Akey element in Ford Motor Co.'s strategy for meeting short-term goals for fuel economy and emissions is its new EcoBoost concept for North American-market engine downsizing-boosting smaller displacement gasoline direct-injection engines with turbocharging. in January, the company said it expects the technology to deliver up to 20% better fuel economy for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles with four- and six-cylinder engine families.

“EcoBoost is meaningful because it can be applied across a wide variety of engine types in a range of vehicles, from small cars to large trucks-and it's affordable” compared with diesel and hybrid powertrains, said Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President of Global Product Development at Ford.