Ford Motor Company’s new 1.0-L EcoBoost engine was named 2012 “International Engine of the Year”. This was based on votes cast by 76 journalists from 35 countries across the world. The small three-cylinder engine also grabbed two other awards – ‘Best New Engine’ and ‘Best Engine Under 1.0-L’. These awards were presented by Engine Technology International magazine. This is the first time Ford has won International Engine of the Year. The 1.0-L EcoBoost acquired the highest score in the history of awards. “We set the bar incredibly high when we set out to design this engine,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president, Global Powertrain. “We wanted to deliver eye-popping fuel economy, surprising performance, quietness and refinement – and all from a very small three-cylinder engine.”

The engine was designed at Ford’s technical centers in Dunton, U.K and Merkenich, Germany and built at Ford’s plants in Craiova, Romania and Cologne, Germany. The 1.0-L EcoBoost engine uses a low-inertia turbocharger to deliver power quickly when the throttle is opened from low rpm. The turbocharger delivers high powers at top speeds of 248,000 rpm. The 1.0-L made its debut in Europe and will be offered in C-MAX and B-MAX later this year. It will be made available in Ford models next year in the U.S, Asia Pacific and Africa. More than 4,700 customers ordered a Focus 1.0-L EcoBoost in the first month of sales across Europe. The orders accounted for nearly a quarter of all Focus cars ordered in Ford’s 19 traditional European markets.

The new Focus (98 hp) 1.0-L EcoBoost engine delivers fuel-efficiency of 4.8L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km. The 123 hp model returns 5.0L/100 km with CO2 emissions of 114 g/km. The judges criteria included driveability, performance, economy, refinement and the successful application of advanced engine technology. The 1.0-L EcoBoost received 28 percent more points than its closest rival and the highest points total of any engine in the history of its competition. “For a three-cylinder to power a vehicle like the Ford Focus with such ease proves the future is very, very bright for the internal combustion engine,” said Slavnich of Engine Technology International. “Power, response and very good real-world fuel consumption figures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this engine and what it offers drivers today. Well done, Ford!”