Ford’s fuel-economy gains pave the way for greener USA

Ford has recorded a large fleet-wide gain in fuel economy in the past five years. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ford’s combined car and truck fuel economy has improved nearly 20 percent since 2004. Meanwhile, Ford’s tailpipe CO2 emissions are declining with 2009 fleet-wide average being approximately 9 percent less than emissions from 2008.

The brand with blue oval will introduce nine new or upgraded engines and six new transmissions in North America in 2010. This is part of a five-year effort to overhaul the entire global powertrain portfolio.

The push began in 2008 and continues through 2013 and includes 60 new or significantly upgraded engines, transmissions and transaxles globally over the five year period.

In 2010, Ford will launch new engines and transmissions in Fiesta, Mustang, Super Duty and F-150. Fiesta’s Ti-VCT 1.6-liter engine and PowerShift dual clutch transmission will deliver an estimated 40 mpg on the highway.

Mustang’s new Ti-VCT 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic will deliver at least 30 mpg on the highway.

Mustang GT gets a new 5.0-liter V-8 that cranks out a 412 total horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque yet delivers at least 25 mpg on the highway.Both versions of the Mustang get all new fuel-saving manual and automatic six-speed transmissions.

Spring also marks the arrival of an all-new Ford-designed-and-built Super Duty diesel truck engine. The 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 turbocharged diesel powerhouse is expected to lead the class in fuel economy towing, hauling, horsepower and torque. With its advanced emissions systems, the new 6.7-liter diesel engine also will run cleaner than the outgoing model. The 2011 Super Duty also gets a new 6.2-liter gasoline engine.

Other new Ford powertrains coming in 2010 include an EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6 for the F-150. The EcoBoost 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine delivers the thrust and performance feel of a V-8, with the fuel efficiency of a V-6. Current EcoBoost-equipped models are delivering up to a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy and a 15 percent reduction in CO2 emissions versus larger-displacement engines.

By 2013, Ford plans to offer EcoBoost engines on 90 percent of its product lineup with annual volume of vehicles with EcoBoost at 1.3 million globally.

Toward the end of the year, a new 2.0-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder for the next-generation Focus will mark the first introduction of a normally aspirated direct injection engine to the Ford powertrain lineup. The all new engine will launch on the 2012 Focus in North America.