Ford confirms U.S. availibility of EcoBoost three-cylinder Fiesta?

[FiestaFaction-1]

Unofficial reports from Autoblog, via Automotive News, say yes.

Ford has unofficially confirmed that a 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder-engined Fiesta will eventually be available in the U.S.

Report: Ford confirms U.S. availibility of EcoBoost three-cylinder Fiesta — Autoblog Green

Ford says the 1.0-liter, inline-three will be the smallest engine in automaker's lineup. Though no specific output or fuel economy figures have been revealed, Joe Bakaj, Ford's vice-president of global powertrain engineering, says the 1.0-liter EcoBoost will nearly match the performance of the automaker's 120-horsepower, 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, while boosting fuel economy. At this time, there's no specific date for the arrival of the three-cylinder Fiesta.

[wmussatto]

Note: "Will nearly meet the performance..."

If they are smart, when gas gets steady at $4.50/gal since its primary advantage would be better fuel economy. If it could do 50 MPG it would challenge the current Prius at a lower cost. I suspect it would be more expensive than the current engine since they have to have bunch of other stuff on it.

[3Mach1]

Note: "Will nearly meet the performance..."

Thats the part that worries me. Unless they find some weight savings it doesnt need to be any weaker. Wonder what kind of premium the turbo will add? Im the kind of guy that has to make a business case for point A to B transportation. I have never figured out why anybody would buy a hybrid because of this.

One other thought I have. In the real world the turbo cruze is not getting the claimed mpg. People stay in the boost all the time I guess. This is a better alternative to hybrids I think from a cost perspective for sure.

[billnchristy]

Originally Posted by wmussatto

Note: "Will nearly meet the performance..."

If they are smart, when gas gets steady at $4.50/gal since its primary advantage would be better fuel economy. If it could do 50 MPG it would challenge the current Prius at a lower cost. I suspect it would be more expensive than the current engine since they have to have bunch of other stuff on it.

The problem is the Prius will still kill it in town. Hwy MPG is useless to me except on the weekends.

I don't even get EPA in the Prius because my commute isn't long enough to warm it up fully.

If it could get 40 city and 50 hwy AND still be under 20k then yeah...total contender.

I imagine it would need stop/start to do that and that adds money too though.

[wmussatto]

Thought Start/Stop was part of the package?

[grafxman]

Ford better be hoping that gas doesn't drop to $2.00 a gallon.

[former3g]

Being a boost junky, I may just trade mine in for one when they arrive. It is definitely tough to stay out of boost, so I doubt the gas mileage will be as advertised. Makes me happy to see all of the new turbos coming to the market.

[wmussatto]

If it gets to $2.00/gal expect to get great deals on Prius, Fiestas and start practicing dodging land barges (aka Large SUVs)

We got a great deal on the Prius because we bought when the speculators were dumping gas futures following the last > $4/gal run up. I was hoping gas would tank about a month before my Fiesta arrived and Ford would start trying to off load Fiesta.. no such luck.

[ECOmaniac]

3 cylinders...50 mpg...I want this Fiesta...I'll make it get 60 mpg with Grille Blocker 3.0.

[eRic]

ecoboost would be awesome in a Fiesta. hopefully they don't mask the "woosh" and "pop-pop-pop" sounds made by the turbo. they should use the outgoing Focus RS as a benchmark.