Ford's B-Max Concept featured the 1.0-liter EcoBoost Engine. Image: Ford Motor Company

Ford's B-Max Concept featured the 1.0-liter EcoBoost Engine. Image: Ford Motor Company

Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 proved one point to truck and sedan buyers; thanks to technology like gasoline direct injection and twin-turbocharging, it was indeed possible to squeeze V-8 power and drivability out of a V-6. Their 2.0-liter EcoBoost four looks to prove that V-6 power is possible from a four-cylinder, too.

So what do you do to continue the product line if you’re Ford? Build a three-cylinder that has the power of an in-line four, that’s what. 

Announced today, Ford’s latest EcoBoost variant is a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine designed to perform comparably to a 1.6-liter, in-line four while yielding significantly better fuel economy. In addition to the EcoBoost standard features--turbocharging, direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing--the 1.0-liter engine comes with numerous innovative features to improve both output and fuel economy while reducing emissions. The crankshaft is offset, which Ford claims will boost fuel efficiency, and Ford’s created a split cooling system designed to speed warm-up by improve pumping efficiency during cold starts. Just as Chevy did with the 2012 Camaro’s V-6, Ford is casting the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head to reduce weight and lower exhaust gas temperatures.

Per Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will yield “hybrid-like” fuel economy while remaining a “more affordable” option. Ford plans to roll out the new engine globally across their small car lineup, with further details on applications and technical specifications to be released at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.