2010 Ford EcoBoost - How It Works

Ford EcoBoost
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GIANT LEAPS, SMALL STEPS FURTHER FORD'S GLOBAL STRATEGY
2010 Highlights
EcoBoost™
technology combines turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to improve
fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions; the first 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6
engines are debuting on 2010 Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, Ford Taurus SHO and
Ford Flex this summer
Conventional powertrains continue to benefit from refinements such as
Advanced Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off and Cam Torque Actuated (CTA) Intake
Variable Cam Timing (iVCT)
Ford's hybrid vehicle lineup expanding to include the Ford Fusion and
Mercury Milan; all feature smaller, more powerful battery pack, enhanced
electronic throttle control and electric air-conditioning compressor to
reduce engine load
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For 2010, Ford is introducing powertrain advancements that range from
an entirely new line of powerful, efficient EcoBoost engines to minute
transmission tweaks that reduce friction. The challenges of improving fuel
economy and reducing emissions are affecting all levels of Ford engineering
throughout the 2010 lineup.
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The EcoBoost Revolution
EcoBoost
technology combines turbocharging and direct gasoline injection and is a
key part of Ford's overall strategy to improve fuel efficiency and lower
CO2 emissions company wide. The engines achieve better fuel economy and
lower CO2 emissions compared with larger-displacement naturally aspirated
engines without sacrificing power. Ford recently began series production of
its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, the first gasoline direct-injection
twin-turbocharged engine produced in North America. With the fuel economy
of a V-6, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine delivers 365 horsepower in the Ford
Taurus SHO and 355 horsepower in the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT and MKS, and a
responsive 350 ft.-lb. of torque across a broad rpm range. |
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The 3.5-liter engine is the first in a wave of EcoBoost engines coming
from Ford as part of a strategy to bring affordable fuel efficiency to
millions. By 2013 more than 90 percent of Ford's North American lineup will
be available with EcoBoost technology.
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Hybrid Powertrain Advances
Bolstering its reputation as a world leader in hybrid technology, Ford
introduced the new Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid for the 2010
model year, doubling its hybrid offerings and delivering the best full
economy of any midsize sedan. Along with Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid,
the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUVs use many of the
improvements engineered as a result of the hybrid car program.
All 2010 Ford Motor Company hybrids benefit from:
2.5-liter I-4 engine (156 horsepower/136 ft.-lb. of torque) running the
proven Atkinson cycle mated to an electronically controlled continuously
variable transmission or e-CVT.
Intake Variable Cam Timing (iVCT), which allows the vehicle to more
seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice versa. The spark
and cam timing are varied according to the engine load to optimize
efficiency and emissions.
Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid also feature:
Enhanced electronic throttle control that reduces airflow on shutdowns,
reducing fueling needs on restarts.
A new smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery has been optimized
to produce 20 percent more power. Improved chemistry allows the battery to
be run at a higher temperature and it is cooled using cabin air.
An added variable voltage converter boosts the voltage to the traction
battery to operate the motor and generator more efficiently.
Smarter climate control system monitors cabin temperature and only runs
the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin; it also includes an electric
air-conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.
The regenerative brake system captures the energy normally lost through
friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is
achieved by first delivering full regenerative braking followed by friction
brakes during city driving.
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Constant Improvement to Conventional Engines
Naturally aspirated non-hybrid powertrains continue to motivate the vast
majority of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, and it's within this domain
that engineers have faced their biggest challenges. But thanks to constant,
incremental improvements, mileage increases – some significant
– have been achieved on many Ford vehicle lines for 2010.
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Some of the innovations include:
Advanced Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off saves gas during
normal slowdowns by temporarily interrupting fuel flow while maintaining
optimal engine performance. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal
to slow down, the system temporarily turns off the fuel. The flow of fuel
seamlessly resumes when the vehicle reaches a set low speed or when the
driver accelerates again. Operation is automatic and requires no unusual
actions from the driver.
Electronic Throttle Control optimizes engine
performance and fuel efficiency by eliminating a direct connection from the
accelerator pedal to the throttle. Instead, an electronic actuator monitors
the accelerator pedal, relaying driver input to the electronic throttle
control system.
Intake Variable Cam Timing (iVCT) varies spark and cam
timing according to the engine load to optimize efficiency and emissions.
This year the Ford 3.0-liter DuratecŪ V-6 engine also debuts the industry's
first application of cam torque actuated (CTA) variable cam timing (VCT)
technology, allowing for a smaller-displacement oil pump, improved fuel
economy and increased performance.
Electric Power
Assist Steering (EPAS) reduces the load on the engine since a
belt-driven power steering pump is no longer required; reduced engine load
leads to lower fuel consumption.
Flex Fuel capability allows engines to run on
gasoline, E85 ethanol or any combination of the two. It is found on more
Ford vehicles than ever before, giving drivers more options at the
pump.
Transmissions Key to Improving Fuel Economy
Significant gains in transmission operating efficiency are delivering
tangible mileage improvements. Already working with a state-of-the-art 6F six-speed
automatic transmission featuring a wide 6.04:1 gear ratio to deliver
good fuel economy and performance, Ford engineers re-examined every aspect
of the unit to reduce parasitic losses.
Efficiency improvements for 2010 include:
Reduced fluid level for lighter weight and faster warm-up.
Higher transmission operating temperatures result in reduced fluid
viscosity; the fluid then requires less energy to move throughout the
transmission.
Mechanical and electronic calibration improvements adjust shift points
and lockup characteristics.
The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan I-4 also come standard with a
six-speed manual transmission instead of the previous five-speed manual.
The additional gear on the I-4 provides better drivability and performance
as well as fuel savings.
The first gear features a deeper ratio, which provides smoother
acceleration. At the top end a higher overdrive gear ratio allows the
engine to turn more slowly at highway speeds, aiding fuel economy, wear,
and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics.
Quest for Cleaner Emissions
One tangential benefit of Ford's drive toward better fuel efficiency is
reduced exhaust emissions; simply put, there's less exhaust when less fuel
is burned. Ford engineers continuously are improving active and passive
emission control equipment to reduce the amount of CO2 and other
pollutants.
Some of the latest advancements include:
Ford's popular non-EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6 uses a 10.3:1 compression
ratio and close-coupled catalysts to help it meet stringent
ultra-low-emission vehicle (ULEV) II regulations.
Hybrid models use a wide-band lambda (oxygen) sensor to analyze the
mixture and adjust the air-fuel ratio accordingly to minimize
emissions.