Comments on: Ford unveils fuel-saving plans

By: Fletch

Fletch — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:45:58 +0000

Unless folks overboost with crappy fuel, the blocks should be fine for as long as NA blocks. A factory turbo is more likey to fail with time, but they can be had for hundreds of dollars in the used market.

By: DeansterTJ

DeansterTJ — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:24:45 +0000

How about a design that doesn’t make people vomit

By: Brendino

Brendino — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:11:11 +0000

GM showed us that tweaking some panels and tires gets you the XFE Cobalt. I remember a year or two back Ford did some tweaks to the Focus to do the same thing. Don’t forget about the smaller changes while you’re draining your R&D on the big stuff.

By: global_lightning

global_lightning — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:31:20 +0000

Ok, they’re working on the engine and the transmission. Now how about a lighter chassis?

By: DrFill

DrFill — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:27:58 +0000

As a former Ford employee, I know how far they have to go, just to be competitive.
The engine sounds good, but it is just one engine, and one tranny
Sounds light years ahead of the 4.0 tractor in Mustang, which they should be ashamed to still sell in a new vehicle.
The Verve/Fiesta should be here when the new Mazda3 arrives. No later. Another error.
Introduce a world-class four-banger, when the world really needs one. Toyota and Honda are tried and true, but vulnerable here.
That should be Job 1 .
Did I say I was a FORMER Ford employee…….
DrFill

By: ktulu

ktulu — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:16:26 +0000

just drive less.
The countor was not bed, ut was just not appropri8 4 america

By: olds307

olds307 — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:39:08 +0000

Euro-ford suck. Anyone remember the Ford Contour? Lincoln LS? ugh.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:02:45 +0000

I want a 2011 Fiesta with a 1.6 liter that produces 350hp and 340 lbs/ft of torque.

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:01:46 +0000

neptronix: I agree!

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:25:24 +0000

brassmonkey- We don’t know the longevity of these engines, there’s no way to say they won’t have the longevity of a NA motor. Although there’s more major complications added to the engine, some are also taken away. It sounds like their doing very extensive testing on this motor, and so far all the suppliers mentioned have built great parts in the past.

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:22:49 +0000

Call me sheltered… but who is David E. Davis and why should I care?

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:20:07 +0000

DO NOT use the word “heck” unless you wish to be mistaken for David E. Davis.

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:16:09 +0000

Modern turbo engines will run just fine for years. Heck… the turbo 2.5L in my 89 dodge is still ticking after 20 years and 130,000+ miles. Still boosts fine and pulls well considering its measley 150hp factory rating… gets 20MPG too.

By: brassmonkey

brassmonkey — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:19:17 +0000

Ford is willing to trade long term buyers for short term gains. The little boosted 4 bangers will not have the longevity of a NA motor. And to plan to go 90% boosted? Not smart.

By: F3INT))AP3X

F3INT))AP3X — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:07:11 +0000

How can it not honestly?

By: Jordan

Jordan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:06:34 +0000

yeah. ford would be stupid not to twin turbo their four cylinders as an option. oh wait, they’re stupid a lot of the time. i hope it happens anyway.

By: neptronix

neptronix — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:42:06 +0000

oh you know damn well it will hit the 4 bangers.

By: cookie4me

cookie4me — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:39:43 +0000

Neptronix, that would be ok except I haven’t seen or heard of an “Eco-Boost” 4 cylinder application, I have only seen articles relating to V-6 applications.

By: neptronix

neptronix — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:31:35 +0000

dude, that’s wrong. I am no ford fan but they are making the right moves right now.. their euro models are superior and if we are really getting them, that would be killer. I wonder of this magic ‘flat torque curve from 1500rpm’ applies to their 4 cylinders as well. I hope that the focus recieves this treatment, a turbo 1.4l-1.6l engine would make the focus almost an instant civic/corolla eater – but who is making the engines? mazda i hope.

By: 04focus

04focus — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:30:56 +0000

i hope the other 2 percent are six-speed manuals.