Ford hopes to increase fuel economy across its range by introducing what it calls “twin-force” technology on four, six- and eight-cylinder models. As the name implies, the technology involves the use of twin turbochargers.
Product development VP Derrick Kuzak told trade publication Automotive News the twin-turbo technology will deliver diesel-like mileage, which translates to roughly 30 percent better fuel economy than naturally aspirated engines.
As previously announced, the Lincoln MKS sedan will make use of a twin-turbo V6, making it the first Ford vehicle to use the technology. But Kuzak’s comments make it clear the MKS is just the tip of the iceberg.
Kuzak also said Ford plans to introduce variable-displacement V8 engines, which would likely feature cylinder deactivation for increased economy.
07/02, 10:54 AM
posted by:
Htay5500
oh? DOD is more of a problem to fix…
07/02, 10:57 AM
posted by:
2008PowerStrokeF450Lariat
smart move
07/02, 11:48 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
Isn’t the Mosler M600 using a twin turbo Ford 3.5L V6 to get 415 HP? I could imagine a nice, boring, Mercury Milan sedan with one of these and AWD…
07/02, 1:16 PM
posted by:
Veda
well ok if it’s similar to diesel’s mpg then it’s all good even from Ford.
07/02, 1:49 PM
posted by:
jbird97
wonder if they’ll make cheap kits to retrofit to past ford models to “increase fuel economy”, wouldnt mind having a couple turbos on my 4 valve
07/02, 3:11 PM
posted by:
LP640
lame ford need more than improved fuel economy to save them
07/02, 3:15 PM
posted by:
Adrio
I”m a ford fan but I have to admit…..The first generation will probably have SO MANY PROBLEMS. I wish I could have confidence in ford to bust out new tech, but I don’t. They’re probably gonna rush it and end up with a bad reliability rating.
07/02, 4:20 PM
posted by:
0GSharK6
I’m interested in the use of forced induction to increase gas mileage. Maybe they can teach me how to twin-turbo my Tiburon so I can get 28mpg!
07/02, 5:54 PM
posted by:
S-60-driver
The turbo in my Volvo helps a lot with gas mileage! 21/30 MPG. I average under 21.5 mpg (lot of city driving).
It should really help with Ford/Mercury/Lincoln/(maybe)Mazda cars and crossovers!
All the reason to get closer to the LAME 32 MPG required for the year 2020 or whenever….
07/02, 6:50 PM
posted by:
Brendino
Adrio – I dunno. They really took the time to make sure the Edge got off without a hitch, and the Fusion has been rock solid. Maybe they’re making a real effort at reliability now.
LP640 – Dang.Tough crowd.
Ford’s been doing little things here and there. They quietly have been assembling a sound portfolio…I think that all they really need to do is learn how to market their product. I hope they get it right with the upcoming Taurus.
07/02, 8:47 PM
posted by:
autonutt
The only way to improve fuel economy with turbochargers is to decrease the engine displacement – slapping twin turbos on an existing Tiburon or Milan motor will only yield more power, not improve gas mileage. Ford’s plan is to offer smaller-displacement engines with twin turbos in place of larger existing motors, matching the current engine’s power but substantially improving the economy. I understand and encourage this strategy on cars like the Focus, Fusion and Taurus, but saddling a supposed “prestige” model like the MKS with only a turbo V6 when all of its competition offers more prestigious V8s seems like a bad strategic move.
07/02, 8:59 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Good, good. It appears someone at Ford has finally woken up and decided to call some sane shots.
07/02, 10:30 PM
posted by:
GMCsyclone#478
autonutt answered my question just as I was preparing to type it. i couldnt figure out how ford planned to improve fuel economy by adding turbos. more air requires more fuel. but autonutt hit it on the nose: use smaller-but turbocharged engines to produce competitive levels of power.
thanks autonutt.
does anyone know if the turbos are different sizes to prevent lag, or equally sized for maximum power?
07/02, 10:35 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
I’d rather enjoy driving a good twin turbo V6 over a V8, unless it’s a Corvette LS7 or Ferrari V8.
Let’s see Ford put a twin turbo V6/V8 in the Mustang, too.
07/02, 10:44 PM
posted by:
jbird97
GMCsyclone they’re probly two equally sized small turbos that spool up quick, yet combined push enough air to give a decent powerband
07/03, 10:14 AM
posted by:
kosai03
If they go with a parallel system, they could get out of a lot of the complexity of a sequential system (though that would depend on the type of sequential setup). A well set up sequential system ‘may’ be able to give better characteristics though. It’s also kind of a misconception that sequential turbo setups involve two differently sized turbos. It’s actually pretty common to feature two of the same size.
07/03, 6:57 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Let’s skip the twin-turbo Focus and bring back the taurus SHO
07/03, 9:35 PM
posted by:
GMCsyclone#478
thanks jbird/kosai.
kosai, i’ve only heard of differently sized sequential turbos. can you clarify the difference between a parallel and sequential setup for me (if not by size)? i appreciate your input.
on the subject of twin turbos, was it the stealth r/t tt and 3000 gt/vr4 that had sequential turbos? whichever car it was, i remember reading that lag was almost non-existent and boost was consistent. mmmmmmm boost.