New EcoBoost engine to debut on Ford Fusion in 2013

The new 1.5-liter engine debut in North America on the Dearborn-based automaker’s Fusion later this year, adding a fourth four-cylinder model option for the popular mid-size sedan.

DEARBORN- Ford Motor Co. is expanding its popular EcoBoost lineup with the addition of a new four-cylinder engine.

The new 1.5-liter engine debut in North America on the Dearborn-based automaker’s Fusion later this year, adding a fourth four-cylinder model option for the popular mid-size sedan.

“The new 1.5-liter unit further extends our EcoBoost promise of economical driving in terms of both fuel efficiency and – in some markets – tax savings,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of powertrain engineering, in a statement.

Production of engine will begin initially at Ford’s facility in Craiova, Romania, later this month. Ford said other manufacturing locations will be announced in the future. The new engine will be first introduced in China in the all-new Ford Mondeo, making its public debut later this month at Auto Shanghai 2013, with applications following in the Fusion sedan in North America this year, and later the new Mondeo in Europe.

With the launch of the new aluminum-block, twin-cam 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, Ford now has capacity to build 1.6 million on its five EcoBoost engines annually. By the end of this year, six plants across Europe, Asia and North America will be producing EcoBoost engines, triple the number that were doing so in 2010.

Ford's new 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine Ford

 Ford has sold more than 600,000 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles globally since the range was launched with the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost in 2009. Ford added the 2.0-liter EcoBoost in 2010, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost followed in 2011, and last year the 1.0-liter EcoBoost was launched.

“Ford EcoBoost technology has changed the way people look at gas engines and has enjoyed huge success with customers,” Bakaj said.

Ford says by the end of 2013, nearly 80 percent of the company’s global nameplates will be available with fuel-saving EcoBoost technology, which features turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing to achieve better fuel economy.