Ford Edge Will Get First I4 EcoBoost Engine

What you see is the 2010 Ford Edge. At the 2010 Chicago Auto Show a refreshed 2011 Edge will make its debut and feature an all new engine.

Ford’s EcoBoost engine technology, introduced last summer in the Lincoln MKS, Ford Taurus, and Lincoln MKT, will soon get expanded to other vehicle lines. That original 3.5L V6 represents the first of a family of direct injection, turbocharged engines, with a 2.0L I4 up next. The smaller engine will find its way under the hood of the Ford Edge, a medium sized crossover model.

The Importance of EcoBoost

EcoBoost is important for a number of reasons. First of all, the technology squeezes more horsepower and torque out of a smaller engine, giving it the ability to work as efficiently as a larger motor. Secondly, the engine burns cleaner, resulting in fewer harmful emissions. Thirdly, EcoBoost is more fuel efficient, allowing drivers to enjoy the mileage benefits of a smaller engine, while receiving the power of a larger one.

The 2011 Ford Edge will make its bow at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. According to The Detroit News, this model will also be the first to feature the automaker’s MyFord Touch system, an arrangement which replaces most of the standard gauges, switches and knobs with full-color computer screens and sensitive to the touch buttons.

Mid-Cycle Refresh and More

The changes made for the Ford Edge represents a mid-cycle refresh, with the nose, hood, and windshield tweaked accordingly. But underneath the hood, the base 3.0L V6 will be replaced by the 2.0L I4 EcoBoost, offering similar power levels as the engine it replaces but with improved fuel economy. The optional 3.5L V6 remains; but engines will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Last month, Ford unveiled its refreshed Lincoln MKX, the luxury version of the Ford Edge. It, too, is receiving a significant mid-cycle upgrade, but Ford has not announced whether an EcoBoost engine will be made available for that model when it goes on sale later this year.

Both the Ford and the Lincoln are built at the company’s Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, with the Edge ranked as the top selling midsize crossover model.

Other Ford Motor News

In other news, Ford’s January 2010 US car sales increased by 25 percent over January 2009, on the strength of fleet sales. Retail sales were actually down for the month, but the fleet sales helped Ford record the best month over month improvement among the Big Six automakers. Ford also replaced Toyota as the second best selling brand in the US as the Japanese automaker saw its sales decline in the face of a recall and sales halt.

Five New Engines Power Ward’s List

Let’s put aside for a moment all of the “car of the year” awards rolling out lately. When it comes to what really counts, isn’t what can be found underneath the hood most important to many consumers? After all, the engine can’t get it done, you’re going nowhere.

Ward’s 10 Best Engines

Ward’s Auto has been running an annual list for some time which recognizes the best engines on the market — Ward’s 10 Best Engines list. The 2010 list is out and the list has five newcomers as well as five veterans. While three of the engines are produced by domestic automakers, the lone V8 engine comes courtesy of Hyundai.

34 vehicles from 13 car manufacturers were put through the paces in the Detroit area to determine this year’s winners. According to Ward’s Auto, each engine was scored based on horsepower, torque, refinement, technical relevance and comparative data. Each engine was evaluated because it was all-new, offered significant technology upgrades or was a returning winner from last year.

This year’s winners and the applications tested:

• 2.0L TFSI Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A4)
• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
• 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (BMW 335d)
• 2.5L DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Ford Fusion Hybrid)
• 3.5L EcoBoost Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Ford Taurus SHO)
• 2.4L Ecotec DOHC I-4 (Chevrolet Equinox)
• 4.6L Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
• 2.5L Turbocharged DOHC H-4 (Subaru Legacy 2.5GT)
• 1.8L DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Toyota Prius)
• 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI)

What Buyers Want

Ward’s noted that the winners underscore what consumers want from what’s under the hood: improved fuel economy, fewer emissions emitted, and performance. New technologies such as the Ford EcoBoost line makes all this possible although in some cases the more efficient engines are costlier to consumers.

Two of the engines chosen power a pair of hybrid models – Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Prius – while two other engines are diesels and can be found in the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI and BMW 335d models. Of the six other gas engines, only the two powering the Chevy Equinox and Hyundai Genesis are not turbocharged, though both engine incorporate direct fuel injection to yield more power while using less fuel.

Pictured: Ecotec 2.4L I4 Engine courtesy GM Corp.

Source: Ward’s Auto