So yeah, we called this one. Ford has announced plans to introduce its 1.0-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine to the US market, starting with the 2014 Fiesta. The engine, so small it fits in a carry-on bag, should deliver 123 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. That’s three more...
The problem with the Lincoln MKS is this. It is essentially a Ford Taurus SHO. This is a good thing, as we like the SHO a great deal. It’s a big, comfortable, fast, well-equipped sedan, and is a sportier, cooler alternative to the blingtastic Chrysler 300C. The MKS, meanwhile, seems rather supp...
So yes, the paper argument for the 1.6 EcoBoost is extremely compelling. But what’s it like on the road? Well, quite good, actually. The charm of Ford’s EcoBoost engines is how they perform at the low end of the spectrum, where most drivers spend most of their time. With a torque peak of just...
Why are we talking about an engine that’s only sold in Europe, though? Well, because it won’t be European-only for long. Ford has stated that the 1.0-liter EcoBoost will be sold in North America (and Asia, Oceania, and Africa) in 2013. The Dearborn-based OEM hasn’t mentioned what vehicles it’ll...
The power the 2.0T developed wasn’t the story here, though. Neither was the impressive 32-mile-per-gallon highway rating (although it’s certainly worth mentioning). Where the EcoBoost seems most impressive is when the 2.0-liter and 3.5-liter are driven back-to-back.
Really, it's better than the V-6 model. Low- and mid-range torque is quite good, and the six-speed automatic keeps up nicely. We'd like a manual mode, and perhaps the addition of all-wheel drive.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with minivans or other family friendly vehicles, per se. We like the versatility afforded by minivans just fine. We can’t deny that with the exception of a few, though, six- and seven-passenger vehicles aren’t exactly fun to drive. Unless you buy a Ford Flex with the...
Social and political pressures may be pushing car manufacturers to create ever smaller and ever cleaner vehicles and engines, but it's usually from under the highest pressure that the best ideas come.
“X-cylinder power, Y-cylinder efficiency.” It’s a mantra we’ve been hearing for decades now, as manufacturers struggle to squeeze as many miles out of a gallon of gas, without impacting outright performance. More often than not though, power is sacrificed for economy, or vice versa. Like a set...
This is not your granddaddy’s pick-up truck. It’s powered by a biturbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. It has an interior that wouldn’t look out of place at your local IKEA. The gear selector sits on the floor. It has air-conditioned seats for crying out loud! And navigation! Blasphemy?