After announcing earlier this year that the European version of the Ford C-MAX would be made available with a 1.6litre EcoBoost engine, Ford has now announced that it will offer the same engine in North America.
The engine features twin independent variable camshaft timing, turbocharging and direct petrol injection that delivers up to 168hp and 235Nm of sustained torque. The maximum torque can be achieved at relatively low speeds – from 1,500rpm to 4,500rpm.
Thanks to the advanced turbocharger, the engine has virtually lag-free operation at all engine speeds and is designed for a lifecycle of 150,000miles or 10 years. Its combustion system has been redesigned with the cam-driven high pressure mechanical fuel pump operating at up to 2,200psi, which is more than 50 times the normal of a conventional I-4 engine.
Also included are centrally mounted six-hole fuel injectors that are located by the spark plug at the top of the combustion chamber.
According to Ford, the Ti-VCT allows for precise, variable timing control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts and with a broadened torque curve, instant power is delivered on low speeds. With higher airflows available, the result is around a 10 per cent improvement in power while the varied overlap between the intake and exhaust valves means a three-four per cent improvement in fuel economy. Fuel economy is further aided by minimising weight throughout then engine.
