Automakers are constantly battling tightening fuel economy mandates and public perceptions of a less-than-green image for the industry. With this in mind, Ford has announced that by 2013 every passenger car and crossover in its range will be available with the option of four-cylinder motivation.
Before you throw your hands in the air at the idea at the idea of a hefty vehicle like the Falcon struggling along with an underdone four under the hood (an engine the size of a soft drink bottle), spare a thought for Ford’s new line of EcoBoost engines.
The turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost range offers punch comparable to a naturally-aspirated six, while delivering improved figures for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Ford expects it will be producing around 750,000 EcoBoost engines per year by 2013, with two thirds of that production being the four-cylinder version.
Ford’s future sees V8s dedicated to a role in large pick-up trucks and SUVs as well as the Mustang. However, Product Development chief Derek Kuzak also sees a possible place for the boosted fours in the F-150 (yeah right, you can see all those Texas good ol’ boys lining up for an F-150 ‘four’… not).
Above: The US-market Ford Fusion will receive a 2.0 litre EcoBoost engine in 2010.
Nothing has been said yet about the role of the EcoBoost engines in either four or six-cylinder guise for the Aussie Ford Falcon, but with a platfom-shared future tipped for the big Ford then this kind of engine line-up can’t be too far away.
If you had the chance, would you be likely to put a Falcon XR4 Turbo on your shopping list in the future?
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No way to an XR4 Turbo Falcon, but a 4cylinder TDi ala Passat/Mondeo is a different story
2.0 TDCi in the Mondeo is simply not enough engine for that vehicle - brillinat in the Focus but with the Mondeos bulk, it feels a bit small.
But something a bit bigger like a 2.5 would still be good. Think BMW 5 series style.
Anyway I’d still rather a six or even tdi6
I would definitely drive a four cylinder Falcon if it gets me decent driveability and great fuel economy. I don’t use all the power that a large 6 cylinder engine has. If I did I would get thrown in jail or have my car impounded.
With increasing pressure to develop ‘global products’, a four cylinder Falcon and Territory may be a case of do or die for Ford Australia.
Having said that, a turbo 4cyl in a Falcon isn’t an altogether ridiculous idea. Audi uses a 2.0L petrol powered turbo 4cyl to propel its one and a half tonne A6.