Should help boost fuel economy
Ford will offer its new 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with cylinder deactivation technology in the U.S., reports Automotive News, speaking with Ford powertrain chief David Filipe.
The 1.5-liter three-cylinder headed stateside is able to turn off one of its cylinders in certain conditions to boost fuel economy. According to Filipe, it will also replace Ford’s current 1.5-liter four-cylinder. The four-cylinder is offered on the Escape and Fusion in the U.S.
Although signs seem to point to the Escape and Fusion, Filipe didn’t disclose exactly which vehicles would get the 1.5-liter three-cylinder. But we know this specific engine is coming to the new global Focus that debuted earlier this month. In the Euro-spec Focus, the 1.5-liter makes between 140 hp and 180 hp depending on the configuration. Also joining the three-cylinder party, the Focus ST will reportedly receive a 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder good for 275 hp. This engine should outperform the old 2.0-liter four in both horsepower and fuel economy.
Ford hasn’t offered powertrain specs for the new U.S.-bound Focus. We can expect to see the small car arrive here in 2019.
Cylinder deactivation is nothing new, but it will be interesting to see how the unit performs on just two cylinders. The last Ford car in the U.S. that operated on two cylinders was the 1906 Model F, AN notes.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)