- Ford's Start concept debuts at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show with a three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine.
- The direct-injection turbocharged engine is likely to produce 120 horsepower.
- New EcoBoost is expected to power the 2011 Ford Fiesta in the U.S., and more.
BEIJING — Ford dropped a major bombshell at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show on Thursday with the announcement that it has tucked a bound-for-production three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine under the hood of the Ford Start Concept.
More surprising is that the little motor will make it to North America around 2012 or '13, according to our Ford source. The smallest addition to Ford's fuel-saving EcoBoost lineup, which will make its production debut in Europe, would likely power the Fiesta subcompact in the United States and multiple applications in other worldwide markets.
Ford hasn't released full specifications on the 1.0-liter, direct-injection turbocharged engine, but we're told to expect around 120 hp. Not coincidentally, that's the same power put out by the 1.6-liter inline-4 that powers the 2011 Fiesta subcompact. Ford is looking to replace the naturally aspirated four with the smaller EcoBoost, in North America and abroad. To justify replacing the current motor, the three-banger turbo would presumably improve on the 1.6-liter's 29 city/38 highway fuel economy (with a five-speed manual). The 1.0-liter EcoBoost will use an iron block, an aluminum head and aluminum sump and use a 10.0:1 compression ratio.
While the Start Concept's primary purpose is to showcase the new motor, the styling is not insignificant. Ford Design Director Freeman Thomas said: "The Ford Start isn't destined for production." But according to our Ford contact, the Start's styling is a dry run at the look the next-generation Ford Ka subcompact will take.
Less likely to make it to production are the Start's exterior body panels that are made from deformable, pre-colored recyclable composites and include a composite roof panel designed to snap-fit on the vehicle. Other touches include see-through C-pillars, a wraparound rear window and flush, stamped aluminum wheels.
Inside Line says: With this tiny, three-cylinder turbo mill, Ford will soon be delivering on the "Eco" portion of the "EcoBoost" line of engines — even in North America. — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit and Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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k55 says:
09:36 AM, 09/07/2010
build it and they will come Ford. Just as is...........This is even cooler than a MINI.
ford_flexer says:
10:55 AM, 07/25/2010
when ford goes futuristic they really go futuristic and they sure know how to blow the asians out the water!!!...
charlesb says:
11:22 AM, 04/26/2010
It looks amazing and yet somehow I know any production version will be so watered down and cheap looking that it probably isn't worth building.
cpmanx says:
09:58 PM, 04/22/2010
Very clever design--an avante-garde take on the current Ford styling themes. It's also easy to see how much of the overall form and layout could translate into a production vehicle. I hope the next-gen Ka really looks this slick, and this modern. The current one has, sadly, lost a lot of its original charm.
It's far too early to know what kind of mileage to expect out of the 1.0 liter EcoBoost, but based on Ford's claims of the projected improvements I'd say that 46-48mpg on the highway is a good bet.
kingkhalas says:
01:48 PM, 04/22/2010
Needs to get much better gas mileage to be worthy of consideration.
mrbacon says:
11:08 AM, 04/22/2010
3-bangers sound awesome. I'm looking forward to this.
windsor5 says:
10:47 AM, 04/22/2010
Ford Make this car. It looks damn good. Just fantastic design standards.
bkj216 says:
10:08 AM, 04/22/2010
Now that's a sub-compact I wouldn't be embarrassed to drive
felonious says:
09:37 AM, 04/22/2010
^^ "somEday"
felonious says:
09:37 AM, 04/22/2010
If you water it and give it lots of sun, somday it will grow up into the next CX-7/9.