When you think of a powerful vehicle, perhaps you assume it provides more power at the cost of creating more emissions. Indeed, this used to be the case. However, with Ford's advanced EcoBoost engine technology, vehicles equipped with this incredible engine provide impressively powerful performance, better fuel efficiency, and even cleaner emissions. But how is this possible?
Today, we'll take an in-depth look at Ford's EcoBoost engine, from its benefits to exactly how it works compared to an alternative option such as a normally aspirated engine. Our team at All American Ford wants to help you learn everything there is to know about the EcoBoost engine. Read on to discover where you can find the perfect engine to suit your performance needs and your love of the environment.
Benefits of the EcoBoost Engine
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Before we dive into the nitty gritty of how an EcoBoost engine works, let's investigate why you'd want an EcoBoost engine in your vehicle in the first place. First invented in 2009, Ford's EcoBoost engine is intended to provide two things you can probably guess based on the name alone: better fuel economy and more powerful performance. By preventing the issue of losing exhaust, a problem that conventional engines are known to have, the EcoBoost engine can avoid wasting energy and cleanly optimize its performance simultaneously.
You can find the EcoBoost in a variety of Ford models, many of which will likely be familiar to you. These models include the Expedition, the F-150, the Explorer, the Escape, and the Bronco Sport.
Naturally Aspirated vs. EcoBoost Engines
Before we investigate how the EcoBoost engine works, we must first look at the alternative. Naturally (or normally) aspirated engines used to be the most common on the market before they began to be overtaken by more powerful turbocharged engines. Naturally aspirated engines use atmospheric air pressure rather than forced injection when taking in the air they need to run. Unfortunately, these types of engines tend to have poorer fuel economy than their turbocharged counterparts, and they're also less powerful and worse for the environment. Enter the Ford EcoBoost engine.
What's the EcoBoost Engine?
As mentioned previously, Ford's EcoBoost engine provides better fuel efficiency and greater power. It does so by using three distinct kinds of technology: turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and variable camshaft timing.
Turbocharging
Unlike a naturally aspirated engine, a turbocharged engine forces compressed air, recycled from your exhaust, into the engine. Thanks to this forced induction, the engine can achieve a more efficient fuel-air ratio than a naturally aspirated engine, using less fuel to gain more horsepower. Not only that, but recycling your exhaust fumes helps to reduce emissions, as well, and because it doesn't need as many parts, it's lightweight and helps to improve your fuel economy.
Direct Fuel Injection
Fuel injection is widespread in modern engines. However, fuel is injected directly into the engine's cylinders with high-pressure injectors in Ford EcoBoost engines. Thanks to this technology, the engine avoids the need to include the intermediary, the port injector, a part that sends the fuel into the cylinders. Instead, it sends fuel into the cylinders directly. This improves the engine's fuel efficiency and allows the engine to produce more power.
Variable Camshaft Timing
Camshaft timing in conventional engines works to optimize an engine's performance by timing the openings and closings of its intake and exhaust valves to match the movements of the pistons. So what's different about the EcoBoost engine? Ford's models use twin independent variable camshaft timing, which allows the engine's computer to switch back and forth in a way that optimizes the engine's power and longevity.
Ford's EcoBoost Engine Lineup
In total, there are seven different varieties of EcoBoost engines used in a variety of Ford models, ranging from 1.0-liter to 3.5-liter. The complete list of the EcoBoost engine lineup is as follows:
- Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engine: This 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine provides 123 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. Ford used this engine in older versions of the EcoSport SUV.
- Ford 1.5 EcoBoost engine: This is a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that delivers 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. You'll find this version in various Bronco Sport and Escape trim levels.
- Ford 2.0 EcoBoost engine: This 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides up to 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. You'll find it in the newer Maverick, EcoSport, Edge, Escape, and Bronco Sport models.
- Ford 2.3 EcoBoost engine: This is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces up to 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. You can find it in the Bronco, the Mustang EcoBoost, the Ranger, and a few of the Explorer trim levels.
- Ford 2.7 EcoBoost engine: This 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine creates up to 335 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque and features in the Edge ST and a few versions of the Bronco SUV and F-150 trucks.
- Ford 3.0 EcoBoost engine: This 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine provides up to 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. Ford uses it in the Explorer ST and the yet-to-be-released Bronco Raptor.
- Ford 3.5 EcoBoost engine: The most powerful of the EcoBoost lineup, this 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine makes up to 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, depending on its variant. It's in the Expedition and Expedition Timberline, as well as a few of the F-150's trim levels.
Experience the EcoBoost Engine for Yourself at All American Ford
Overall, Ford's EcoBoost engine proves to be an impactful piece of technology, not just improving its vehicles' performances but also providing you with better fuel economy and cleaner emissions. If you're interested in learning more about the EcoBoost engine or taking one of the EcoBoost models for a spin, don't hesitate to visit us here at All American Ford. Located in Springville, Alabama, we offer a range of products and services from our vast used inventory to our convenient on-site service center. We can't wait to introduce you to our lineup and help you find your dream vehicle.