What Is Eco Boost And How Does It Work?

What Is EcoBoost?

EcoBoost is a series of turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engines produced by Ford and originally co-developed by FEV Inc. EcoBoost engines are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with those of larger-displacement (cylinder volume), naturally aspirated engines while achieving about 30% better fuel efficiency and 15% fewer greenhouse emissions. When you look at the phase “EcoBoost”, it is clear that the EcoBoost consists of 2 parts, Eco and Boost. Most people wonder why is the EcoBoost engine so powerful, the reason behind the component of the EcoBoost. So now, before getting to know how does EcoBoost works, let’s take a look at Eco and Boost.

Eco

So every year, new legislation is released. It is asking the car manufacturers to optimize their car engines as much as possible that burn more clearly and use less fuel to reduce air pollution. As a result, the EcoBoost engine was born. Starting with Ford, they produced smaller engines such as the 3 cylinders, 1.0-liter unit introduced to Focus in 2012 with direct fuel injection. By using direct fuel injection, the fuel measurements are more precise, and the engine can even use a lean-burn mode. Together with the small, lightweight engine which demons mess fuel in the first place, so the car can save a lot.

Boost

Ford downsizes the engine so it comes at the expense of power. To compensate that, They add a turbocharger to its EcoBoost range. Therefore, the turbo makes up for the reduced displacement by increasing the strength of each power stroke. 1.0 liter EcoBoost is able to produce similar power to a regular 1.6-liter petrol unit because of the combination of the small and direct injection engine and a turbo. The added turbo results in a better spread of torque than in the old 1.6 so it is more flexible on the open road and requires fewer gear changes.

So what does EcoBoost mean on a ford? It means that the car can run better and can have fuel efficiency at the same time. To an EcoBoost engine, every drop of fuel is precious. So precious that it reduces fuel consumption and makes a serious reduction in CO2 emissions. A 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine can deliver an impressive performance up to 140PS, similar to an older, heavier 1.6-liter petrol engine.

How Does EcoBoost Work?

As we mentioned above, an EcoBoost engine uses an extra turbo to help the engine handle. In general, how does EcoBoost work? 

The EcoBoost engine takes advantage of direct injection, cutting out the typical fuel-injection process that uses the intake tract to inject fuel. The turbocharger also adds power without substantially decreasing gas mileage, which is where the ‘Eco’ in EcoBoost comes from. In practical terms, the car using Ecoboost will save so much more fuel than usual. 

The EcoBoost system works through the smart application of a turbocharger and direct-injection system. The turbocharger forces more air into the engine than it would normally receive, and the added air and fuel make the engine more powerful. This is where the ‘Boost’ in EcoBoost comes from and we already mentioned above. 

Additional Benefit Of EcoBoost Engine

The EcoBoost engine can be set further back under the bonnet, allowing for better weight distribution and a sharper, more agile drive. The reason behind it is the downsized engine. The EcoBoost engines are smaller and lighter than the similarly powered nonturbo alternatives, the 1.0-liter engine block is really small which could fit on an A4 paper sheet. 

What Are The Downsides To An EcoBoost Engine?

You already know what is the EcoBoost, how does EcoBoost work. So it is an amazing invention from Ford that makes a great echo in the automotive industry. Besides the advantages of it, is there any downside? The answer is YES. 

Like with most modern cars, the real-world economy figures for the EcoBoost engines won’t match the ones they got in the lab. In the lower-powered 1.0-liter models where the engine needs to be worked harder. The turbo is called into play more often, which can increase fuel consumption greatly. It’s also worth noting. Although it’s not an issue in the lighter Fiesta which the 1.0-liter fits the likes of the Focus. The engine can feel lethargic before the turbo kicks in. But, rest assured you will still get a better fuel economy than the equivalent bigger non-turbo engines.

In 2018, a couple of high profile recalls for EcoBoost cars may sound alarm bells, but the truth is the faults were not specifically related to the EcoBoost tech. A Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost recall referred to a nylon pipe potentially overheating in the cooling system. Meanwhile, a potentially more serious fault in the cylinder head of 1.6-litre EcoBoost engines again isn’t directly related to EcoBoost tech.

Should You Consider An EcoBoost Engine Car?

We already introduced everything about the EcoBoost engine, from what is it, how does EcoBoost work to the downside of it. The final question that we got a lot from the readers is “is it worth buying an EcoBoost engine car”. The answer depends on you and your situation. Nowadays, nearly all Ford models now offer an EcoBoost variant. But some only offer the system at the very top end of their model line. The Ford F-150, for example, uses EcoBoost to replace its top-shelf V8 model. Though standard V6 versions retain more traditional technology.

The EcoBoost engine helps to add power and lifts acceleration without many disadvantages to gas mileage. Also, it brings the driver the exciting power delivery of a turbocharged engine. The technology is an extra point too. An EcoBoost engine car can run better and has fuel efficiency, that sounds good enough to try. 

Sum Up

It is all about the EcoBoost engine which Ford invented. You should check it carefully to deeply understand how does EcoBoost works, what is it, what is the advantages, disadvantages and the last is should you buy a car with an EcoBoost engine or not.