Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost motor has been voted 2017 International Engine of the Year “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre” for the sixth year in a row. The compact and powerful three-cylinder petrol engine remains undefeated in its category since it made its launch in 2012. Along with the title of the “Best Newcomer”, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost has now won 10 International Engine of the Year awards including overall winner a record three times. Moreover, judges praised the engine’s combination of performance, technology and fuel-efficiency.
Speaking on this, Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe, said “Our 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has been a game-changer, setting the benchmark for compact, fuel-efficient engines with sophisticated EcoBoost turbocharging, direct fuel injection and Twin-Independent Variable Camshaft Timing technologies. Even with 10 International Engine of the Year awards under our belt, we’re still finding ways to push back the boundaries of powertrain engineering, and deliver even more benefit to our customers from this acclaimed small engine.”
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost in India comes paired to Ford’s popular compact SUV, the EcoSport that cranks out 123bhp of top power with 170 Nm of peak torque, returning a fuel economy of 18.88 kmpl. Ford EcoBoost petrol engines are offered in capacities of up to 3.5-litres deliver power and fuel-efficiency to Ford vehicles around the world. Starting from the compact all-new Ford Fiesta to Transit vans, pick-up trucks, and Ford Performance models including the Focus RS and the Ford GT supercar.
A panel of 58 automotive journalists, from 31 countries adjudged the three cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost motor as “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre”. The engine first debuted in the Ford Focus in 2012, the innovative engine has continued to dominate its segment, faced with growing competition in a category popular with car buyers and important to carmakers. This year, the sub-1.0-litre award category featured 35 engines, nine more than in the 1.0-litre EcoBoost’s debut year.
Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the 19th International Engine of the Year awards that were held in Stuttgart, Germany, and editor-in-chief of Engine Technology International magazine, said, “The baby Ford EcoBoost engine is still the best 1.0-litre, three-cylinder design around, despite newer powertrains arriving on the scene. Even more impressive is that it is the first-ever powertrain to secure its class title every year it has been nominated.”
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine featuring cylinder deactivation technology will from 2018 deliver reduced running costs for customers by automatically stopping one of the engine’s cylinders when full capacity is not needed, such as when coasting or cruising with light demand on the engine.