Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines: Ford EcoBoost® Explained

Is it possible to have a car that offers you power when you want it, and efficiency when you need it? It is with Ford’s EcoBoost® line of engines.

Ford’s innovative EcoBoost range is capable of powering nimble sporty rides like the Focus and Focus ST, city utility vehicles like Ford Escape and Edge, muscle cars like Ford Mustang, performance vehicles like the Ford F-150 Raptor, and even Le Mans-winning racing cars, like the new Ford GT.

Ford’s EcoBoost engine technology is so innovative that the company has secured 275 US patents and has 200 more pending – more than any other manufacturer when it comes to gasoline turbocharged direct-injection technology.

So, how does it work? EcoBoost engines use three key technologies controlled by unique Ford software that’s designed to optimise the engine for any driving situation.

The first technology is direct injection. By injecting precise amounts of fuel directly into the cylinder at high pressure, EcoBoost engines deliver optimum performance without wasting a drop.

The second is a turbocharger. Just as a shot of espresso perks up your energy level, the turbocharger gives the engine a boost of power when needed.

A single turbocharger uses otherwise wasted energy from the engine’s exhaust to rotate a turbine wheel, which in turn is mated to a compressor that pressurises air coming into the engine. That pressurised air creates “boost” and allows the engine to breathe in more air than a naturally-aspirated engine. The more air an engine breathes in, the more power it generates.

The third technology is variable cam shaft timing. Like healthy lungs and circulation, it ensures your EcoBoost engine always has the right amount of air to avoid wasting fuel and to deliver peak performance.

Compared to engines of the past, the EcoBoost is contained in a light and compact structure. This means you don’t waste fuel carrying around more weight than you have to. Perfect for economical cruising.

As an example, strong materials such as compacted graphite iron (CGI) are used where needed, and lightweight materials such as aluminium are employed when possible to reduce weight. The combination of materials contributes to an overall strong, compact, and lightweight design.

EcoBoost technologies allow Ford to get a great deal of horsepower and torque from an engine that weighs less than traditional engines; the less your high-performance engine weighs, the greater your power-to-weight ratio is.

And when you’re cruising on the highway, Ford EcoBoost engines will give you the power you seek. The EcoBoost is designed for any kind of driving situation – mileage you need, power you want. Ford EcoBoost engines make it possible.