Ford is hoping its new Ecoboost technology will “revive” fleet’s appetite for petrol engines, with the new engine developments set to cut emissions and economy levels by 20%.
The technology, set to appear first in the new C-max mini-MPV coming in autumn 2010, uses turbo charging and direct-injection technology to boost the power output from smaller capacity engines. There will be a range of units coming, including a 180PS 1.6-litre version, capable of a claimed 125g/km, that was shown in the concept for the new C-max earlier this year.
“It will certainly revive people’s appetite in the business world for petrol and reduce the number of people in diesels,” said a Ford spokesman.
Meanwhile, the new 99g/km Ford Econetic, coming early next year, isn’t expected to have a massive impact in sales terms. The car arrives alongside a new 104g/km not equipped with the stop-start system that takes its sibling below 100g/km.
“We’re not intending to sell huge quantities of the 99g/km version next year. It will be very low volume, but we expect to sell lots of the 104g/km version,” said Ford GB boss Nigel Sharp. “There will be some fleets that want to demonstrate they are green, but for the vast majority, the 104g/km car will be a better business vehicle.”
Sharp said the trim and equipment levels will be the same on both vehicles, though there’s no indication yet on how the pricing will differ.
