In what was hardly the best-kept secret in the automotive world, Ford officially confirmed on Tuesday that it will be bringing its EcoBoost technology to four-cylinder engines. Ford first hinted at the idea of an EcoBoost four-cylinder at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show with the Lincoln C Concept.
According to Edmunds, Ford confirmed the EcoBoost four-cylinder at an event earlier today in Dearborn. Although Ford officials didn’t reveal which vehicle will be the first to use the EcoBoost four-cylinder technology, it was revealed that the turbocharged mill will displace 2.0L and generate 230 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Early reports indicated the 2.0L will return better than 40 mpg.
Although vehicles like the Ford Focus and Fusion will undoubtedly receive the four-cylinder EcoBoost treatment in the future, the first vehicle to sport such a powerplant in the U.S. will likely be the Ford Escape . The turbo four could replace the Escape’s 3.0L V6.
Given that Ford plans to market the EcoBoost four as having the power of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder, pretty much any Ford vehicle with a naturally aspirated six-cylinder could be a candidate for the smaller powerplant. However, expect the EcoBoost four-cylinder to start in Ford’s smaller cars and work its way up the chain.
