Friday 18 July 2014

Mustang gives second outing for 2.3-litre EcoBoost

The Ford Mustang, which goes on sale across Europe in 2015, will have a choice of the uprated 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine or the 5-litre V8.

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost gives 310bhp and 320 lbft torque, while the 5-litre V8 generates 435bhp and 400 lbft torque.

Both engine options will be made available in Europe and UK when Mustang goes on sale for the first time next year.

The next Mustang also offer fully independent front and rear suspension, and a lighter weight body structure with extensive high-strength steel and aluminium components to improve ride and handling.

Mustang will be available as fastback and convertible models for Europe.

Ford also has announced brake and chassis performance packages will be standard for European customers.

Ford claims the 2.3-litre EcoBoost has been designed specifically for Mustang, to combine performance and fuel efficiency. It is already used in the Lincoln MKC crossover. The EcoBoost family has been develloped in association with FEV.

The newest member of Ford's global EcoBoost engine family (the 2.7-litre gasoline EcoBoost with a compacted graphite iron (CGI) cylinder block, akthough announced by Ford, technically still has to make its public appearance), the 2.3-litre employs direct fuel injection, twin independent variable camshaft timing and turbocharging.

The I4 engine, with high-pressure die-cast aluminium cylinder block, ladder-frame bearing caps, and forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, develops almost 135bhp/litre and over 139 lbft torque/litre. Such components suggest an engine with durability as a critical requirement.

Ford is also using a deep-sump, die-cast aluminium oil pan

The 5-litre V8 has been much revised to give increased output, including a new cylinder head casting, sinter forged connecting rods and rebalanced forged crankshaft to cope with higher speeds.

Mustang now has fully independent front and rear suspension systems as well as an aluminium hood and front fenders to help reduce body mass and improve the weight balance.

Other aluminium components include rear suspension knuckles, rear axle housing on automatic transmission cars, rear control arms, and rear brake callipers. Even parts made of steel and other materials such as the hollow rear stabiliser and the new seats have been intelligently designed to meet the performance standards while keeping weight down.

Base kerb weight of the US spec. 5-litre Mustang fastback automatic is 1,691kg (3,729lb); the 2.3-litre EcoBoost version is nearly 100kg lighter at 1,598kg (3,524lb).

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost fastback has 52 per cent of its weight over the front axle, while the 5-litre V8 has 53 per cent.

At the front, Ford uses a non-isolated perimeter sub-frame to help stiffen the structure while reducing mass, offering to a better foundation for more predictable wheel control to the benefit of handling, steering, and ride quality.

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine debuted in the 2015 Lincoln MKC crossover. Based upon the 2-litre EcoBoost, the 2.3-litre engine produces 289 PS (213 kW; 285bhp) at 5,600 rev/min and 305 lbft (414 Nm) torque at 3,000 rev/min.

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost is manufactured alongside the 2-litre EcoBoost at Ford’s Valencia Engine Plant in Spain.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

These engines are now, including the 2.3l, made in the US as of March 10:

CLEVELAND -- Ford Motor Co. will begin domestic production of its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine at its Cleveland Engine Plant in Brook Park, Ohio, in late 2014, the automaker said today.

What Ford doesn't say is that both these engines are versions of the L spec Mazda MZR engines, and pretty thoroughly out of date. Known as Duratech a decade ago in the UK, the MZR was a pure Mazda design, since replaced by Skyactiv. It also is made in naturally aspirated 2.5l form for the entry level Fusion, along with a stroke of steam loco proportion. All MZRs liked to swill petrocarbons beyond their displacement.

The 2.3l is actually 2261 cc, and has identical bore and stroke to the old MazdaSport3, and even has the ladder main-bearing girdle.

Considering the new 2.7 TT with your beloved CGI/Al hybrid block is a real cracker, makes you wonder when Ford will get around to designing their own 4 cylinder engines that are as up-to-date.