Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost rolls out from Saarlouis

Ford today officially began rolling out a new variant of the Focus powered by the 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine from its plant in Saarlouis, Germany. Just like existing members of the EcoBoost engine family, the new three pot features turbocharging and direct injection to help it achieve an impressive combination of performance and fuel economy.

The new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is produced at Ford’s engine plant in Cologne, Germany, off a new €134 million ($200 million) to high-tech line specially developed to build the engine. Production of the engine will begin in Craiova, Romania at the end of this year, leading to a potential European production capacity of 700,000 engines per year.

Development of the engine was undertaken by Ford’s European arm, spearheaded by engineers at Ford’s European Research and Advanced Engineering Centre in Aachen, Germany, and the Dunton Technical Centre, UK.

“Production of the first Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost is an important milestone for Ford,” said Ford of Europe Chairman and CEO Stephen Odell.

“Developing an engine this small and fuel efficient that still delivers good power and driving fun in a Focus-sized car would have seemed impossible just a few years ago,” Odell added.

Two versions of the engine are currently available, rated at 99hp and 123hp respectively, the latter having access to 170Nm of torque available from 1,400 to 4,500rpm. The lower-powered variant consumes a measly 4.8 litres per 100km emitting 109g of CO₂ per km traveled, while the 123hp model is quoted at an equally impressive 5.0 l/100km and 114 g/km.

KON

Pictures: Official Ford release.

See also: Ford announces 1.0-litre 3-pot EcoBoost and all-new 8 A/T