Catching up on all sorts of EcoBoost news and opinion....

While MyFordDreams has been concentrating on other things, the blogsphere doesn't stand still, so I've been catching up at AutoBlog on the latest EcoBoost news, opinion and speculation.

Interesting that Australia will be the first place an EcoBoost I-4 will appear in a rear wheel drive platform. And not just in the upcoming Global T-6 Ranger, but in the Falcon. I still believe that ultimately the base Mustang will replace it's aging V-6 for an EcoBoost I-4, but there are doubts out in the Net.

Furthermore, folks want to know when the EcoBoost I-4 will be seen in the Edge and other North American mid-size CUVs and Cars. Although fuel prices haven't peaked at last year's record numbers, this is further proof that Ford's EcoBoost is an anticipated technology upgrade.

6 cyl power with 4 cyl economy makes too much sense for consumers and the manufacturers alike. Some have forecast resistance from consumers based on past history of turbo charged powerplants in the past and the perception that Uncle Sam is trying to force us all into underpowered eco-boxes. But if you've got over 200 hp and still achieve 25-30 mpg how are you being forced into an eco-box?

I personally would love it if my new Mariner (soon to be ) was packing a 2.0 EcoBoost. The current 2.5's 171 hp is fine, as is the 25 mpg on the highway, but if I could realistically expect 200 hp and 27 mpg ( it is 4wd after all) I'd be tickled pink.

EcoBoost will be a win win for many enthusiasts and green minded folks as well.

Minimally it will maintain ( more than likely improve) performance, while also lowering our carbon footprint and lessening our dependance on foreign petrolium.

EcoBoost to spread across FoMoCo lines in coming years, maybe even Mustang

When I went to the recent Lincoln event and drove the MKT and MKZ there was much EcoBoost talk. I even got to talk with Dan, one of the project heads and ask him about the migration of this technology across the FoMoCo line. Currently available in the Lincoln MKS and MKT flagships and the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO, the EcoBoost in 3.5 V6 355 hp glory will next be seen in the F-150 range as well. But there's a lot more to this story than that. While it's true that you can achieve V6 economy and V8 power in the larger vehicles, it's also going to be applied to I-4 engines to give superior economy with V6 power. We're going to see EcoBoost 2.0L engines with 200+ hp and even smaller engines with EcoBoost.

Not knowing if I'd ever get a chance like this again, I popped the question. No I didn't ask Dan for his hand in marriage, I asked him if we could expect to see EcoBoost in the Mustang. At first he assumed I meant the 355 hp V6 in the Mustang GT and told me that it was unlikely since Ford had new V8s which will offer superior performance and better economy. I acknowledged that and corrected myself by asking if we could possibly see an EcoBoost I4 in the "Base" Mustang? And being the smart guy he is, I'm unable to say "Yes" but there's enough wiggle room in what he said to guess that it's a distinct possability. And before the old guard Mustang guys start spitting nails let's see what's possible.

I doubt they would revive the SVT or SVO label for a Turbo 4 Mustang, not with the Shelby GTs.

It wouldn't be some pricey option, but a replacement for the V6 that makes 210 hp and achieves poor fuel economy. In Reality an EcoBoost 4 could produce more power and boost FoMoCo's CAFE ratings. And you're wondering where Ford would get such an engine?

Did you forget the Ford Explorer America Concept that was shown last year?

That has 275hp EcoBoost 2.0L 4 cylinder power.

So, while Dan didn't say it was going to happen, he didn't say no either.

Ford is going to spread EcoBoost across the model lineup, maybe just maybe in the next generation Mustang we'll see better power and fuel economy and an IRS?

Dan didn't mention anything about the IRS, that's just a matter for common sense.

Pickup Trucks.Com has story on EcoBoost +! Bobcat?

So, I'm looking at Twitter and I see a post from PickupTrucks.com, when I see Ford and Bobcat in the same sentence. You know my mind went into all sorts of spasms. My love of all things FoMoCo, small and quirky was pumping adrenaline and causing a blood sugar crash.
And while I ( and probably only I ) would love to see the resurection of the Bobcat, it was actually better news.

More FoMoCo "green" initiatives. There's been so much to salivate coming from FoMoCo lately that it's easy to forget that crosstown rivals are slashing and burning their way through bankruptcy. Hybrid Fusions, Fiesta Movement, new Focus and possible new Ranger, what more could be coming? We're hearing names like EcoBoost, Coyote V-8 and Scorpion Diesel, it's like overload.

Anyone could tell that I think the EcoBoost program is a winner. Smaller more fuel efficient engines with big engine power! But how do you improve on this? They call it Bobcat, I think of it as EcoBoost + or maybe even EcoBoost for the big boys.

Pickup Trucks . Com has a very thorough explination of the entire thing, linked in title, but basically it's an old racer's trick updated and made green. Ethanol injection added to the EcoBoost system. Well, not pure Ethanol, the more elusive E-85. I've been a critic of the whole Flex Fuel E-85 thing for a while. It's nice to have a Flex Fuel badge on your car or truck, but since the fuel isn't available everywhere it seemed to be more of a public relations and EPA loophole thing than something the average consumer could appreciate.

But, E-85 is going to become more available and FoMoCo is developing this system for the larger end of their lineup, full size trucks and SUVs. It will be cleaner than Diesel and with the E-85 injection have comparable power ( torque ). Click on over to PickupTrucks.com and read it for yourself. I'm going to do a little dance here.

Thinking about the CAFE standards and the Mustang..

You know, most of the news about the Mustang has been good lately. New powertrains promissed and great styling. But with the anouncement of new Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards it got me thinking. What would be a really great idea?

How about this, a 2.0 EcoBoost powered Mustang! How about that 275 hp Explorer America concept's twin turbo 2.0? Now, here me out here folks. I know the 5.0 will be dishing out 400 hp and that's a great thing for the GT. But how about the turbo 4 for the Pony Mustang? Isn't the rumored Ranger replacement coming with a 1.8 l EcoBoost ? And that will ahve 175 hp 180 lb ft of torque. So, sine they'll be doing the work to fit an EcoBoost in a rear wheel drive vehicle already, how hard could it be to do it in a Mustang? You could have 3 levels of Mustang, the Base with the EcoBoost I-4, a mid level with the EocBoost V-6 and the GT with the Coyote V-8.

Just a middle of the night thought. Well maybe a dream really, but isn't that what I do.

Ford Eco Boost, Explorer America & Edge

The Ford Edge is a nice vehicle. It's not perfect, but what is. I see a lot of these on the road these days, so I'll give Ford credit for coming up with something people want. But I can't help thinking they could benefit from better fuel economy, not that they're gas guzzlers, but what about a new Eco Boost powerplant. Not the twin turbo 3.5 V-6 from the Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS and MKT, but the 2.0 Eco Boost I-4 from the Explorer America concept.

At the 2008 New York Auto Show, I saw this on the turntable, the Explorer America concept.

And the spokesperson was saying it was going to be car based and powered by an Eco Boost 2.0 I-4 producing about 200 hp. And with the recent article over at PickupTrucks.com about a possible Eco Boost powered Ranger replacement ( 1.8 L making 175 hp ) it had me thinking how this Explorer America or the Edge would do with a 2.0 Eco Boost. I guess we could just look at the VW Tiguan, since it's a cute ute with a 2.0 Turbo 4 from the GTI.

Just wondering on a lazy Saturday. Eco Boost technology is supposed to spread across much of the FoMoCo lineup over the coming years. It makes sense, scales of economy for the turbo systems, a lowering of the CAFE for the brand all without loosing usable power and lowering emissions. I realize the EcoBoost will filter down from the pricer models down to the rest of the lineup, and I look forward to seeing how long that will take. Turbo Charging combined with Direct Gasoline Injection is no longer new technology, Audi, Mazda, VW and GM have had it on the market for a short while and GM's Chevy Cruze is suposedly coming to the US with a turbo direct injected 1.4L.

This is the best thing I've heard about Ford in I don't know how long

Read the Autoblog post linked in the title, about Ford's intention to finally bring out Turbo Direct Injection Gasoline engines. The biggest surprise for me was mention of a 2.0 I4 making 275 hp that would be the new base engine for a future Explorer. And you can see where my mind went when I read that. While I think it's going to be great for an Explorer replacement, wouldn't it be great to see in a new Mustang?

Just dreaming, but isn't that better than MyFordNightmares???