Ford to expand use of 4-cylinders; most products will offer smaller engines by 2013

February 16, 12:07 PMDC Car ExaminerBrady Holt

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 The Mustang is among the Fords that will offer fuel-
 efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engines by 2013.

Within four years, consumers will be able to buy any Ford save the heaviest-duty trucks with a powerful but fuel-efficient "Ecoboost" engine, a company product planner told Automotive News.

Right now, the only Fords available with four-cylinders are the compact Focus and midsize Fusion passenger cars, the Escape small SUV, and the Ranger small pickup.

This new pledge would drastically expand the company's use of four-cylinder engines to include such products as the full-size Taurus sedan, the Mustang sporty 2-door, and upcoming redesigned Explorer midsize SUV.

Ford is even considering an available four-cylinder engine for its best-selling F-150 full-size pickup, Product Development Chief Derek Kuzak told Automotive News.

Ford's "Ecoboost" engines use turbochargers to provide the acceleration of a bigger, more powerful motor without the accompanying fuel losses, which will help the company follow the federal mandate towards increased gas mileage wihout chasing off lead-foot buyers.

General Motors is promising similar results from a small turbocharged engine in its upcoming Chevrolet Cruze compact car. 

Ford expects to sell 500,000 cars per year by 2013 with Ecoboost 4-cylinder engines, but it will continue also continue to offer most of the same engines available in its products today.