Ford EcoBlue Diesel Promises Huge Fuel Savings

Ford’s meticulously engineered EcoBoost gasoline engines have found favor in everything from Fiesta hatchbacks to the powerful Mustang, but the fuel-saving technology is yet to arrive in the brand’s diesel engines. That is because the American automaker has unveiled a new EcoBlue diesel engine that promises a 13 percent boost in fuel economy to go with its enhanced refinement and performance.

Like what it has done in the EcoBoost motors, Ford has tried to reduce friction in its 2.0L EcoBlue diesel. There is a 10mm offset crank aimed at reducing piston side-load and minimizing rubbing against the walls of the cylinder block, while an enhanced valvetrain and single piece camshaft module also contribute to EcoBlue’s enhanced fuel efficiency.

Moreover, Ford has launched a new mirror-image porting design in the inlet manifold. Designed to create uniform fuel/air mixtures in all four cylinders, the system utilizes clockwise airflow to feed cylinder one and two, prior to reversing it for cylinders three and four.

Dr. Werner Willems, combustion systems specialist, explains that this makes turning fuel into energy more effective than any diesel engine Ford has ever built.

New fuel injectors, which are capable of delivering six 0.8 mg injections of diesel per combustion event, work with the new inlet manifold design. The fuel is injected through eight conical holes that measure just 120 microns in diameter.

According to Ford, the injectors minimize unwanted noise, reduce energy wastage from the fuel pump, as well as enables for more refined auto stop-start systems and real-time recalibration for ideal fuel efficiency. This is, in part, due to their piezoelectric design.

As useful as these efficiency enhancements are, motorists have more tendency to worry about how the performance of the engine. After getting feedback from people who got behind the wheel of the 2.2L TDCi Transit, Ford’s engineers have liberated 20 percent more torque from the new EcoBlue engine at low revolutions. This implies that there is 340 Nm on tap from just 1,250 rpm, which must make for effortless creeping in traffic or forceful high-gear overtaking on the highway.

A redesigned turbocharger using an Inconnel turbine wheel that is capable of spinning at 240,000 rpm for sharp pickup, is claimed as the key to this improvement. The turbo turbine has also been milled from solid, cutting down tolerances to three microns from enhanced durability, smoother response and less noise.

Apart from performance, the other characteristics drivers may care about is refinement. After all, sitting in traffic makes up a huge percentage of motorists’ time, so a rattly idle and vibrations can be a huge nuisance.

Ford’s engineers explain that the new EcoBlue engine utilizes a stiff ladder frame, noise-enhanced cylinder head, and the oil pan to isolate vibrations from the cabin. All throughout the engine are tight seals that ensure no noise can sneak out and ruin the refinement. Apparently, the motor is smooth although it is designed for use in commercial vehicles. Plus, it meets the strict noise, vibration and harshness standards for Ford’s passenger cars.

Ford’s powerful motor will initially be offered in 77 kW (104 hp), 96 kW (128 hp) and 125 kW (168 hp) variants for Transit buyers, but it is fully capable to attain over 149 kW (200 hp). Moreover, there will be 1.5L version to do service in passenger cars.