Naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder crate engine from Ford

Naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder crate engine from Ford

Part of the expanded crate engine lineup that Ford Racing Performance Parts has announced for 2012 includes a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder "Crate Engine Concept."

The engine serves as a precursor for a range of new four-cylinder offerings in the works, and the good news is that most of these will be transferable to several of Ford’s production cars such as the Fiesta and Focus compacts.

The ‘blank canvas’ engine doesn’t get Ford’s trick EcoBoost turbocharging technology but it does come with direct fuel injection and independent variable valve timing, which help it to deliver between 160 and 175 horsepower and up to 155 pound-feet of torque. Turbocharging will be made available after the initial launch.

The range of applications is enormous, according to Ford, with everything from race cars to street rods, kit cars to off-road buggies and even marine installations possible. In fact, the four-cylinder lineup will form the widest range of production-based crate engines since the debut of Ford Racing Performance Parts’ successful 5.0 V-8 crate engine program.

Importantly, all of the four-cylinder engines, including this initial concept engine, will be available as "plug and play" kits that include the necessary interface components for proper installation.

The first of the new 2.0-liter crate engines will be available next spring.