What is EcoBoost and How Does It Work?

If you are looking for a new car and some agencies tell you about the Ecoboost and you have no idea what it is. This article is truly for you. Let’s check out what does ecoboost mean, what does ecoboost do, and how does ecoboost work. 

What Is EcoBoost?

EcoBoost is a series of turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engines produced by Ford and originally co-developed by FEV Inc. EcoBoost engines are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with those of larger-displacement (cylinder volume), naturally aspirated engines, while achieving about 30% better fuel efficiency and 15% fewer greenhouse emissions. When you look at the phase “ecoboost”, it is clear that the ecoboost  consists of 2 parts, Eco and Boost. Most people wonder why is the ecoboost engine so powerful, the reason behind the component of the ecoboost. So now, before getting to know how does ecoboost work, let’s take a look at Eco and Boost.

Eco

So every year, new legislation is released. It is asking the car manufacturers to optimize their car engines as much as possible that burn more clearly and use less fuel to reduce the air pollution. As a result, the ecoboost engine was born. Starting with Ford, they produced smaller engines such as the 3 cylinder, 1.0 litre unit introduced to Focus in 2012 with direct fuel injection. By using direct fuel injection, the fuel measurements are more precise, and the engine can even use a lean burn mode. Together with the small, lightweight engine which demons mess fuel in the first place, so the car can save a lot.

Boost

Ford downsizes the engine so it comes at the expense of power. To compensate that, They add turbocharger to its EcoBoost range. Therefore, the turbo makes up for the reduced displacement by increasing the strength of each power stroke. 1.0 litre EcoBoost is able to produce similar power to a regular 1.6 litre petrol unit because of the combination of the small and direct injection engine and a turbo. The added turbo results in a better spread of torque than in the old 1.6 so it is more flexible on the open road and requires fewer gearchanges.

So what does ecoboost mean on a ford? It means that the car can run better and can have the fuel efficiency at the same time. To an EcoBoost engine, every drop of fuel is precious. So precious that it reduces fuel consumption and makes a serious reduction in CO2 emissions. A 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine can deliver an impressive performance up to 140PS, similar to an older, heavier 1.6 litre petrol engine.

How Does EcoBoost Work?

As we mention above, an ecoboost engine uses an extra turbo to help the engine handle. In general, how does ecoboost work? 

The EcoBoost engine takes advantage of direct injection, cutting out the typical fuel-injection process that uses the intake tract to inject fuel. The turbocharger also adds power without substantially decreasing gas mileage, which is where the ‘Eco’ in EcoBoost comes from. In practical terms, the car using Ecoboost will save so much more fuel than the usual. 

The EcoBoost system works through the smart application of a turbocharger and direct-injection system. The turbocharger forces more air into the engine than it would normally receive, and the added air and fuel makes the engine more powerful. This is where the ‘Boost’ in EcoBoost comes from and we already mentioned above. 

To better understand in detail, watch the video below which is provided in the Ford. The video explainin what separates the EcoBoost engine from the rest of the line up.

Which Cars Are Featured With The EcoBoost Engine?

As found by Ford, EcoBoost engines are available right across the Ford range in a whole host of sizes and power output. The car lines which are most popular with 1.0 litre are used in the Fiesta, B-Max, Mondeo, C-Max, Tourneo Connect which produce either 105 or 123hp. 

The Ecoboost doesn’t just work on 1.0L engines. The 1.5litre can be found in the Focus and other bigger family cars and can produce 150bhp. This same engine can also be found in the 2018 Fiesta ST but in this car, it can spit out a massive 200bhp. More recently, you can find a 2.3L EcoBoost engine in the Focus RS and the Ford Mustang.

The final 2-litre option in the EcoBoost family is the 2.7-litre twin turbo V6, introduced with the 2015 F-150. This engine was designed with truck-specific applications in mind, giving it excellent fuel economy under normal driving conditions or while hauling and towing.

Introduced in 2011, the biggest EcoBoost engine is the 3.5-litre V6, found on Ford’s SUV lineup. The engine is available on the 2015 F-150, 2015 Ford Taurus, 2015 Ford Explorer and Expedition, 2015 Ford Flex, as well as the 2015 Ford Transit.

Additional Benefit Of EcoBoost Engine

The ecoboost engine can be set further back under the bonnet, allowing for the better weight distribution and a sharper, more agile drive. The reason behind it is the downsized engine. The ecoboost engines are smaller and lighter than the similarly powered non turbo alternatives, the 1.0 litre engine block is really small which could fit on an A4 paper sheet. 

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What Are The Downsides To An EcoBoost Engine?

You already know what is the ecoboost, how does ecoboost work. So it is an amazing invention from Ford that makes a great echo in the automotive industry. Beside the advantages of it, is there any downside? The answer is YES. 

Like with most modern cars, the real-world economy figures for the EcoBoost engines won’t match the ones they got in the lab. In the lower-powered 1.0-litre models where the engine needs to be worked harder. The turbo is called into play more often, which can increase fuel consumption greatly. It’s also worth noting. Although it’s not an issue in the lighter Fiesta which the 1.0-litre fits to the likes of the Focus. The engine can feel lethargic before the turbo kicks in. But, rest-assured you will still get a better fuel economy than the equivalent bigger non-turbo engines.

In 2018, a couple of high profile recalls for EcoBoost cars may sound alarm bells, but the truth is the faults were not specifically related to the EcoBoost tech. A Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost recall referred to a nylon pipe potentially overheating in the cooling system. Meanwhile a potentially more serious fault in the cylinder head of 1.6-litre EcoBoost engines again isn’t directly related to EcoBoost tech.

Should You Consider An EcoBoost Engine Car?

We already introduced everything about the ecoboost engine, from what is it, how does ecoboost work to the downside of it. The final question that we got a lot from the readers is “is it worth to buy an ecoboost engine car”. The answer depends on you and your situation. Nowaday, nearly all Ford models now offer an ecoboost variant. But some only offer the system at the very top end of their model line. The Ford F-150, for example, uses ecoboost to replace its top-shelf V8 model. Though standard V6 versions retain more traditional technology.

The ecoboost engine helps to add power and lifts acceleration without many disadvantages to gas mileage. Also, it brings the driver the exciting power delivery of a turbocharged engine. The technology is an extra point too. A ecoboost engine car can run better and has fuel efficiency, that’s sound good enough to try. 

Sum Up

It is all about the ecoboost engine which Ford invented. You should check it carefully to deeply understand how does ecoboost work, what is it, what is the advantages, disadvantages and the last is should you buy a car with an ecoboost engine or not.

The final recommendation is checking your condition before buying an ecoboost engine car to avoid any regret! Don’t forget to follow car reviews to get updating about car.