Ford debuts its new powerful Ecoboost V-6

Romeo -- Ford Motor Co. finally finished talking about its Ecoboost powertrain and let journalists drive it
Thursday at the automaker's Michigan Proving Grounds here.
"I've been talking about Ecoboost for two years," said Barb Samardzich, Ford's vice president of powertrain
engineering. "All of the talking is over."
The 3.5-liter twin turbocharged direct injection V-6 rocket of an engine is Ford's answer to the V-8. It's
smaller, more efficient and, in many cases, more powerful than many of the V-8s it will compete against.
It debuts in four models this year: the all-new 2010 Lincoln MKT large crossover; the 2010 MKS large
sedan; the 2010 Ford Flex; and the 2010 Ford Taurus.
The engine roll-out marks the next step in Ford's sustainability plan, as the automaker upgrades its lineup
with better engines and more sophisticated transmissions.
By 2013, Ford will offer an Ecoboost engine in 90 percent of its nameplates and six-speed transmissions in
100 percent of its vehicles, Samardzich said.
"Friendly to the environment and uncompromising power can go hand in hand," said Kate Pearce, the MKT
marketing manager. "You can now get V-8 performance with V-6 fuel economy."
Indeed. When testing the MKT, I averaged 21.2 miles per gallon in a five-mile loop at 70 mph. In the MKS,
on the same loop, I averaged 25.6 mpg.
Ford expects to hit at least 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on highway when the EPA certifies the vehicle.
The lighter MKS sedan will perform even better, Ford officials said, hitting at least 17 mpg in the city and 24
mpg on the highway.
Brett Hinds, Ford's advance engineering design and development manager, said that the new V-6
improves gas mileage by 10 percent to 20 percent.
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For the size of those vehicles, the numbers are very impressive. But fuel economy and reduced emissions
are only half of the story. This engine ripples with performance power.
It produces 350 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. This is belly-squeezing kind of power when you mash
the accelerator. It helps the MKS glide along the track at 120 mph without the slightest hint of strain. It
launches with a fury and provides excellent 40 mph to 70 mph acceleration in both the MKT and MKS in a
matter of a few ticks of the stop watch.
The Ecoboost-equipped Lincolns matched or out performed V-8 equipped models of the Audi Q7 and
Cadillac STS on the same test tracks.
The Lincolns felt quicker and more nimble on the fast track and road course, where both models took
corners at much faster speeds than their competition.
Additionally, the enhanced six-speed transmission, which had to be strengthened to handle the extra
power, was extremely smooth shifting through the gears, whether automatically or by the paddle shifters
mounted on the steering wheel.
As the new models roll out later this year with the all-new power train, the difference will be noticeable for
any driver. The only thing missing is that deep-throated rumble of the V-8. But the better gas mileage, and
the fact that this turbocharged engine can run on regular 87 octane gasoline instead of premium, could
make a difference for customers.
When it comes to driving, talk is cheap and Ecoboost's performance speaks for itself.
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