From the global launch date of Ford’s revolutionary 1-liter EcoBoost engine we have been reading a lot of articles about its awards in engineering and fuel efficiency. Now we have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the all new Fiesta powered by this multiple award winning engine.
The engine is a 999cc 3-cylinder turbocharged unit that produces 123hp and 170Nm, which is 13hp and 30Nm more than Ford’s 1.5-liter engine that also powers the Fiesta range.
The 1-liter EcoBoost engine uses turbocharging and direct injection to extract the additional figures mentioned from a smaller lighter engine.
Besides the engine’s ability to churn out impressive amount of power despite its size, what makes the EcoBoost engine impressive is the amount of innovations that have gone into it, such as the ever-lasting lubricated timing belt, the deliberately unbalanced pulley and flywheel that reduces vibration and increase fuel efficiency, the super-small, high-speed turbocharger that revs up to 248,000rpm and delivers instantaneous boost at every gearchange, an energy saving variable oil pump, and a ‘split-cooling’ system that warms up the engine faster while reducing emissions. And then, we have the integrated exhaust manifold that saves weight and optimises the fuel-to-air mixture, and optimised engine mounts that insulate the car’s frame from vibration. Basically, what all these things do is that they deliver a very smooth and refined driving experience, good fuel economy, and low emissions without compromising on performance on the road.
Start up the 3-cylinder engine and it is quiet and vibration free. The 3 cylinders work silently and it is very smooth at idle. Accelerate the Fiesta and it is amazing how quiet and smooth the car remains. Even when we were driving along the country roads, the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) level are impressively low. The 6-speed auto gearbox works well with this 3-cylinder engine and shifts from gear to gear are smooth on normal to spirited driving. Push this Fiesta harder along and the engine works without breaking a sweat. The turbocharger whine cannot be heard, the gearbox continues its progress without a hitch and there is negligible engine noise intruding the cabin. Impressive for a 3-cylinder engine to produce smoothness like this and even more impressive to have an engine that pushes out good torque without any hesitation.
Fuel consumption is class leading as the quiet and smooth-running engine delivers power and performance that rivals a traditional 1.6L petrol engine, but uses 21 per cent less fuel with a claimed figure of 4.3L/100km in mixed driving cycle. The Fiesta 1.5-liter delivers fuel economy of 5.8 L/100km in mixed driving cycle.
The Fiesta EcoBoost cabin is the same as the 1.5-liter Fiesta cabin, it is well built and cosy. It provides a cocoon-like atmosphere courtesy of the body-hugging seats and controls within easy reach. Interior build is pretty good with soft touch materials on the dash as well as leather trim on the steering and hand brake and there is also ample storage bins under the front seats and on the centre console as well. The dashboard configuration is simple and effective as before.
Ford Malaysia, this variant will be making its local debut in the first quarter of 2014 with a tentative price between RM96,000 and RM98,000.
Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine won the International Engine of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and has recently won yet another prestigious prize, this time from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Award for Automotive Innovation and also from United Kingdom, an award from the annual Car Dealer Power awards in London. More awards are sure to come in 2014.
Ford Fiesta EcoBoost Specifications
Engine: Inline-3cylinder, Turbocharged
Capacity: 999cc
Max power: 123hp at 6,000rpm
Max torque: 170Nm at 1,400 – 4,500rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed Dual Clutch
Top Speed: NA
0-100km/h: 9.4secs
Price (estimated): RM96,000 – RM99,000
