Automotive News - July 14, 2008 - (Page 33)

JULY 14, 2008 • 33 FUTURE PRODUCT YSLER FORD Engines promise power plus fuel economy Richard Truett and Amy Wilson rtruett@crain.com Horbury: We’ll keep our vehicle designs fresh Rick Kranz rkranz@crain.com Fuel economy has vaulted to the top of consumers’ priorities. No surprise there, with a gallon of gasoline selling for more than $4. Also, automakers’ fleets must achieve 35 mpg by 2020, under a new federal law. Here’s a look at Ford Motor Co.’s powertrain plans, say Ford, supplier and other industry sources. Gasoline engines: Ford’s likely fuel economy star, the Fiesta small car, arrives in 2010. Ford won’t disclose the car’s engines, but to save fuel, it likely will be offered with two small engines. Base European versions of the Fiesta are powered by a 1.25-liter fourcylinder engine delivering 47 mpg in combined city and highway driving. But the Fiesta’s base U.S. engine likely will be a 1.4-liter four-cylinder that could deliver about 40 mpg. Ford could go smaller than 1.25 liters in the United States. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president for global product development, said a 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine with Ford’s EcoBoost system is possible for the Focus after 2012. EcoBoost combines turbocharging and direct fuel injection to deliver good performance and fuel economy. It is the centerpiece of Ford’s plans to make engines smaller and broadly improve fuel efficiency. Even Ford’s Mustang and F-series trucks are likely to be offered with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, sources say. Until an EcoBoost V-6 arrives in 2010, Ford’s flagship F-150 pickup has an all-V-8 strategy. While Kuzak acknowledged a “relooking” of the big-V-8 program, he noted that trucks such as the F-series Super Duty will need large V-8s. Ford’s 3.5-liter V-6 will be the workhorse engine in cars and trucks when used with EcoBoost. Direct injection and turbocharging can raise output to between 290 and 390-plus hp. The restyled and re-engineered 2010 Mustang should launch with carryover 4.0-liter V-6 and 4.6-liter V-8 engines, but Ford is expected to quickly replace them with the 3.5-liter V-6 and a new 5.0-liter V-8. Diesels: Ford is working on an inhouse diesel V-8 for the F-150 pickup truck, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. The 4.4-liter turbodiesel is a close cousin of an existing 3.6liter European diesel. Last spring, Ford dealers learned that the 4.4-liter engine will deliver more power and torque than Ford’s 5.4-liter gasoline V-8 but use 20 percent less fuel. Ford also is developing a bigger diesel — a 6.7-liter V-8 code-named Scorpion — to power Super Duty trucks and full-sized vans. Ford plans to end ties with diesel supplier International Truck & Engine Corp. around 2010. Transmissions: This year Ford is introducing two six-speed automatics that boost fuel economy. A new front-wheel-drive transmission arrives on the 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan and the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner crossovers. It is part of a family of six-speeds developed with General Motors. Six-speeds are eventually expected on nearly all the automaker’s fwd vehicles. A new transmission for rear-drive vehicles debuts in the restyled, re-engineered 2009 F-150. It delivers 4 to 6 percent better fuel economy. Kuzak said Ford plans to offer a dual-clutch transmission around 2011 in small and mid-sized cars. The transmission will deliver a 6 to 8 percent fuel economy gain.c Three and out. That’s Ford Motor Co.’s styling formula this decade and next. Many redesigned vehicles will receive a major exterior styling change about three years after being introduced. “The time period for one model staying on the street will be much shorter before we do something with it,” said Peter Horbury, Ford Motor Co.’s North American design director. The purpose is to prevent sales from sliding precipitously late in a model’s life cycle — and the resulting need for costly rebates. In the past, many Ford models essentially remained unchanged for about five years — and, in the case of the Focus, eight. The Crown Victoria went even longer without being restyled. Changes that were made amounted to little more than new grilles, fascias, headlights and taillights. The result: usually high rebates until the model was redesigned. “We feel there is no value in minor changes but a huge value in major changes,” said Horbury. A vehicle’s doors, roof and glass likely will be carried over because of the high expense of redoing those elements. Beyond that, Ford is “free to change,” he said. “That means such things as the front and rear fenders, hood, along with the grille and fascias, will be new. We listened to the press, actually, on that one — that minor face-lifts are no value.”c http://www.protective.com/dealerservices http://www.protective.com/dealerservices

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - July 14, 2008

Small-car boom misses Chrysler Ford's large rwd car plan is iffy Suppliers: Inflation is looming Hummer H3T price: $31,495 VW may build next Passat in U.S. plant Glut of trucks pulls Prius to U.S. Ford sues U.S. over taxes Restyled Ridgeline Volvo will tighten U.S. dealer network As BMW's chief in N.A., Purves got biggest thrill out of Mini Despite pricey fuel, Jetta diesel in demand Everybody's a critic: How dealers cope with online reviews Hyundai goes big on Genesis lease The shift to automatic: A transmission transition Jaguar-Land Rover dealer: Stand-alone would bankrupt me Chevy christens compact Cruze Fiat, BMW will team up on platforms, parts Revision: Bosch still tops Auto News supplier list GM to build Volts in U.S. for Europe GM ads will push mpg for 90 days A missed opportunity 2008 sales forecast? 14,652,757 Suzuki cuts U.S. work force 8% CAFE standards: Stop whining and get to work Uncertainty is the name of the game Honda dealer rubs salt in a wound Careless driver was to blame for crash Unsafe driving wasn't Ford's fault For doomsayers, business is booming again Best ad slogans have staying power Bird Dog Club creator hunts dealer poachers Dealers How to design a Lamborghini? Passion for speed certainly helps Dressed to kill Check for children Delinquency rate on indirect loans skyrockets Group promotes payment assurance Ford has big plans for small vehicles in North America Mulally pushes Ford toward fuel efficiency Ford brand will draw on European lineup With no new vehicles planned, Mercury's future is bleak Engines promise power plus fuel economy Horbury: We'll keep our vehicle designs fresh Ford aims to move Lincoln upscale Toyota's Lentz: Don't panic over collapse; market will stabilize Personnel Chrysler's car sales sag in June — even more than trucks PG sells majority of auto glass business to private-equity firm Chrysler's Campi makes nice Suit against Ford is reinstated BMW reassesses Mini demand JCI plant cuts shift, work force CAW board endorses local president Purves: Thumbs-up for BMW innovations Current trend in Europe: Electric cars Solid reviews for Ford's new Flex Philosopher has insight for ailing U.S. auto industry The 'B' word brings media deathwatch at GM Chrysler to dealers: Don't panic

Automotive News - July 14, 2008

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