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Ford’s 1.0-Liter Three-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine Wins SMMT Award For Automotive Innovation 2013

Having earned the International Engine of the Year awards in 2012 and 2013, Ford’s 1.0 liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine was recently decorated with another major award: the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Award for Automotive Innovation 2013.

Ford’s boosted three-banger beat out the new McLaren P1 supercar, among other contenders, for the award, which highlights advanced R&D and innovation in the UK automotive industry, included the new McLaren P1 supercar.

No bigger than a sheet of A4 paper, the boosted three-cylinder was designed at Ford’s research and development facilities in Dunton and Dagenham in the UK. It makes an impressive 125PS (metric horsepower) and achieves 65.7 MPG in a Ford Fiesta, with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

“I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of the 1,000-plus highly-skilled Ford powertrain engineers involved in the 1.0-litre EcoBoost programme,” said Ford’s Director of Global Vehicle Evaluation and Verification, Graham Hoare “In 2007, the engineering teams at Dunton and Dagenham took on the challenge to produce a cutting-edge three-cylinder petrol engine – exciting, durable and efficient enough for both cars and commercial vehicles. Six years on, and with over 300,000 global sales, two back-to-back International Engine of the Year titles, and now this major Innovation award, we couldn’t be more proud.”

The 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is currently available in the Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford B-MAX, and Ford C-MAX, Ford Tourneo Connect, and Ford Transit Connect models. It will also be available in the upcoming Ford EcoSport subcompact CUV and the next-generation Ford Mondeo midsize range. Enthusiasts might also be familiar with the fact that the engine also powers the Formula Ford Formula Ford-based road car, which is simply a blast to drive and has registered the 11th fastest time ever on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. That kind of performance puts it ahead of a range of supercars such as the 600+ horsepower Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari Enzo, and Pagani Zonda.

The 1.0 liter EcoBoost mill is so good that Ford CEO Alan Mulally gives it a smooch

The 1.0 liter EcoBoost mill is so good that Ford CEO Alan Mulally gives it a smooch

The panel judging entrants for the SMMT award was comprised of industry and engineering leaders, including:

  • Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT
  • Dave Salt, Chief Engineer, GKN Driveline
  • Robert Lea, Industrial Editor, The Times
  • Jim Higginbotham, Managing Director, Large Corporate and Special Asset Finance, Lombard
  • John Laughlin, Programme Manager – Low Carbon Vehicles, Technology Strategy Board

The Motrolix Take

Whoever said that great engineering no longer matters clearly didn’t fully think things through. Well done, Ford.

Motrolix Founder with a passion for global automotive business strategy.

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