Ford Unveils World’s Cleanest Internal Combustion Engine

SHANGHAI, China, Oct. 13, 2004 -- The world’s cleanest internal combustion engine was unveiled today in China at the 2004 Challenge Bibendum.

“We’re excited about participating in this environmental challenge which is taking place for the first time in Asia -- a market that is exceedingly important to Ford," said Sue Cischke, vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering.

The new 2.3 liter hydrogen engine with Lean NOx Trap (LNT) aftertreatment, meets the stringent SULEV-Bin 2 emissions standards. Ford engineers are in the process of optimizing its calibration to obtain performance similar to a gasoline-powered engine. According to Cischke, production for real-world use could come within 12 months to 24 months.

Ford’s first test of the new hydrogen engine with LNT aftertreatment produced nitrogen oxide results below the SULEV or Tier 2-Bin 2 standard, which is the world’s cleanest standard. Subsequent tests have been just as promising. Ford's target is to meet these challenging emissions requirements, produce virtually no CO2 and deliver gasoline-like performance.

"This is exciting news because no company has ever demonstrated a hydrogen internal combustion engine that can meet these standards and have near zero carbon dioxide emissions -- another important chapter in environmental history has been written,” said Cischke.

The Michelin Challenge Bibendum was created in 1998 to promote sustainable mobility by confronting the challenges of emissions and congestion. The only event of its kind, its goal is to bring together the world’s automakers, policy makers, media and others to compare the results of vehicles powered by conventional and alternative energy and propulsion systems.

In addition to unveiling the new hydrogen engine, Ford Motor Company also is displaying an array of products at the Bibendum. The products include the Escape Hybrid sport utility, now on sale in North America. The Escape Hybrid is the industry’s first full hybrid that provides a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy over a conventional Escape with a V-6 engine. In addition, the Hydrogen Hybrid Research Vehicle (H2RV), a technology that could be on sale today if the hydrogen fueling infrastructure were widely available is on display. The H2RV combines a 2.3-liter internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen and boosted by a supercharger, with a patented Modular Hybrid Transmission System. The most advanced environmental vehicle Ford has ever produced, the Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) also is on display at the Bibendum. The Focus FCV uses a Ballard fuel cell engine that converts the chemical energy into electricity using hydrogen and oxygen.

The company also is showing the Mondeo with a new 1.8-liter Direct Injection Duratec Smart Charge Injection system (Sci) engine for the first time in Asia. The engine reduces fuel consumption 6 percent to 8 percent in real-world driving and lower emissions.

“It’s an exciting and very promising display of vehicles,” said Cischke. “It’s exciting because we are not showing something that might happen or could happen at some distant point in the future. This technology is real, it works, it delivers on its promise.”

Event organizers anticipate that the world’s auto manufacturers will display 143 vehicles. In addition, there are 57 learning centers -- including a Ford Motor Company Learning Center entitled “Ford: Concept to Reality” -- open during the event.

Organizers say the Challenge Biebendum does not set out to provide solutions, but rather demonstrate the most significant advances and latest technology in various technological fields.

Vehicles are evaluated in real driving conditions, using precisely defined criteria with performance analyzed by means of technical tests, defined by an International Technical Committee.

The Challenge Bibendum, established in 1998 to mark the centenary of Bibendum (the world-famous "Michelin Man"), has alternated between the United States, Europe, and now Asia. The event runs from Oct. 12-14 in Shanghai.