Ford Start Concept Previews New 1.0 Litre 3-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine

THIS WEEK'S Beijing Motor Show has seen Ford unveil its first new concept in more than three years, dubbed 'Ford Start'.

Officially, the Start is little more than a design study, exploring ways to create stylish, affordable cars of the future while using fewer raw materials and achieving ultra-efficient running.

Beneath the bonnet however is a brand-new addition to Ford's EcoBoost engine line-up: a 1.0 litre, three-cylinder, turbo-charged aluminium-block petrol engine.

According to Ford, the tiny engine, already scheduled for mass production in the near future, will offer power comparable to a 1.6 litre four-cylinder, while releasing no more than 100g/km of CO2.

By comparison, the Toyota Prius lists a CO2 rating of 89g/km, through its combination 1.8 litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor hybrid system.

Ford has yet to reveal estimates for the engine's fuel consumption.

In Australia, Ford is set to launch a four-cylinder version of the Falcon next year, powered by the new 2.0 litre turbo-charged EcoBoost global engine. 

With high compression and direct-injection, Ford claims the high-tech four-cylinder will deliver more low-down torque than a 3.0 litre V6 of comparable output.