Ford Ecoboost mules up and running!

[SVTVNM]

http://ninemsn.carpoint.com.au/news/...underway-16635

[Road_Warrior]

So it's a 2.3 litre now...

What's the bet it will be a 2.5 litre by the time its released...

[Polyal]

Nice...that was quick by Ford standards but release date is sooo far away, hopeful they can sneak it in by the end of 2010.

A couple of things. Clear quote that the V8 will stay if they can (RE XR8 GS), I6 is still viable for a bit longer aswell.

I just really hope the 4T will be available across the range, minus perhaps XR and G6ET obviously.

Love the bloke, but LOL at this quote..

Originally Posted by Burela

"We have test vehicles that have been testing,"

Maybe his read Bushes books.

[King Nothing]

People keep asking me 'Marin, are you going to continue with the V8?' I say, 'Of course we will, as long as the markets out there we'll continue with the V8.'

That's good news then. Perhaps the rumours of no Ford V8 are false, FPV won't be selling the replacement XR8.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by King Nothing

That's good news then. Perhaps the rumours of no Ford V8 are false, FPV won't be selling the replacement XR8.

Ah yes but the market can change very quickly....and researches can provide information in convenient ways.

[Dr Smith]

There's one thing that's definately changed...in years gone by how often would Ford talk about future models to the press so openly...and it's a good way of countering the VE sidi engine economy claims although it's been less widely discussed in the press/forums that the recent economy claims in the press drive days were at average speeds above 70km/hr...wonder if my G6ET could come close to these figures at that avg speed?

[vztrt]

They would have been running around for a while...I assume they just needed to secure gov money before they showed the mules.

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/41044/fo...hedule-burela/

Ford Falcon EcoBoost on schedule: Burela

September 11, 2009 by David Twomey


Ford has moved a step closer to the four-cylinder Falcon with the news that the first test prototypes using the EcoBoost engine have begun running.

Ford’s President and CEO Marin Burela told a media briefing in Melbourne this morning that the first Falcon ‘mules’ running the 2.0-litre, direct-injection, turbocharged, four cylinder were in operation.

Questioned by CarAdvice about the EcoBoost progress at this morning’s briefing Mr Burela said the engines were now being tested.

“We use different types of vehicles, yes we have mules that have Falcon configurations,” he said.

“All the testing that we have done in terms of weight-ratio, vehicle performance, take-off, torque, everything that we have done has indicated to us that this will be very good,” Mr Burela added.

In July, when Ford announced the $230 million dollar plan to make the Falcon the first rear-wheel-drive car in the Ford world to run the engine, Mr Burela said it would be fitted to test vehicles within two weeks.

He later told journalists that this had been delayed, although he did admit that the engine was running in the T6 commercial vehicle mules that CarAdvice has previously photographed being tested at the Ford Proving Ground.

Despite the slight delays in getting the test vehicles underway Mr Burela indicated that the program was on schedule and he said the Falcon EcoBoost would be on sale in the first half of 2011.

He said the strategy remained on track and he prophesised the engine would give Ford an avenue into a wide range of government and fleet sales that it was currently being denied.

“Look many fleets do buy large cars but there are a lot of smaller four-cylinder cars also being bought, where a larger car would be more desirable, and we will be able to satisfy that desire,” Mr Burela said.

“I think it is going to be a huge surprise and delight for the market because it will give people and incredible option, and the EcoBoost technology, being a direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine will give us the power, give us the fuel efficiency and the CO2 reductions.”

He also took a swipe at Toyota’s Camry Hybrid, saying the EcoBoost Falcon would offer more accommodation and better fuel economy for a significantly lower cost.

He also expressed considerable confidence that the performance of the EcoBoost engine would win over any buyers who were sceptical about the ability of a small engine to move a vehicle as large as the Falcon.

He also dismissed suggestions that the EcoBoost would be used in a low-cost, fleet style model of the Falcon saying it represented affordable technology that would give people a choice.

He said the four-cylinder Falcon would compliment the in-line six-cylinder powered vehicles in the range and would appeal to those who chose to buy into the proposition.

He also suggested that the EcoBoost Falcon would provide Ford with incremental business and sell alongside the in-line six, which will be upgraded to Euro4 emissions standards next year.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

There's one thing that's definately changed...in years gone by how often would Ford talk about future models to the press so openly...

Use to talk not at all about future models. The media, with their own agenda, then used this to essentially say that Ford didn't have plans for the future and would therefore shut up shop. Which we know isn't the case.

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

... and it's a good way of countering the VE sidi engine

Exactly. It's long been a GMHolden tactic. ie Diversion. Even if you don't have something to announce, just say something, anything. Then the focus is off the oppositions announcement.

[ltd]

Holden is testing the E85 cars now too. This arvo on Parramatta road Lidcombe I saw a greyish commodore wagon with the number plates ETHNOL and those poofy little sunflower stickers on it turning into Birnie St (runs perpendicular to a big holden storage yard).
There were 4 guys in it that looked like middle managers, so they are actively testing.

[zoomie]

Originally Posted by ltd

Holden is testing the E85 cars now too. This arvo on Parramatta road Lidcombe I saw a greyish commodore wagon with the number plates ETHNOL and those poofy little sunflower stickers on it turning into Birnie St (runs perpendicular to a big holden storage yard).
There were 4 guys in it that looked like middle managers, so they are actively testing.

Holden have bugger all testing to do for E85 as the commonbore was sold overseas in some countries in E85 spec.... All they got to do now is find enough petrol stations that will stock E85 to make the fuel viable to all aussies.

[Paxton]

Euro IV next year hey? Not what I've been told...

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Paxton

Euro IV next year hey? Not what I've been told...

It its the law!! No E4, no Falcon & Tert. Very very unlikely..

I think your wrong!!

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

It its the law!! No E4, no Falcon & Tert. Very very unlikely..

I think your wrong!!

Don't think you quite got Paxton's point. Put it another way....the minimum requirement is Euro 4 by mid 2010 is it not.....

[Riksta]

In the link from the original post:

Falcon test mules fitted with the 2.3-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine are up and running.

And in the article vztrt posted above:

...the first Falcon ‘mules’ running the 2.0-litre, direct-injection, turbocharged, four cylinder were in operation.

So which is it?

[phillyc]

There has never been a mention of 2.3L Eco-boost before. Anywhere. I think the writer has it confused with Mazda's current generation DI 2.3L turbo.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

It its the law!! No E4, no Falcon & Tert. Very very unlikely..

I think your wrong!!

[Chilliman]

Originally Posted by Swordsman88

Don't think you quite got Paxton's point. Put it another way....the minimum requirement is Euro 4 by mid 2010 is it not.....

Isn't EUROVI (6 for non-romans) due in Europe by 2014?.......the answer lies somewhere in between

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Swordsman88

Don't think you quite got Paxton's point. Put it another way....the minimum requirement is Euro 4 by mid 2010 is it not.....

Now you're just confusing the poor bloke.

[Windsor220]

Is there any chance they'll bring these things out before 2011? Seems a bit far away. A lot could change before then.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Is there any chance they'll bring these things out before 2011? Seems a bit far away. A lot could change before then.

thats what i was thinking as well. early 2011 could be easter 2011. its a big headstart to give any opposition.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Paxton

Euro IV next year hey? Not what I've been told...

If the Territory has already gone Euro 4 from this month I'd say its just a matter of time till the FG is too. Just a case of fulfilling the requirements I reckon.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by phillyc

There has never been a mention of 2.3L Eco-boost before. Anywhere. I think the writer has it confused with Mazda's current generation DI 2.3L turbo.

I haven't read of a 2.3EB. I have read of a possible 2.5 I4 EB for something in between the 2.0 and 3.5. Possibility for the F150 single cab.

[ltd]

Originally Posted by zoomie

Holden have bugger all testing to do for E85 as the commonbore was sold overseas in some countries in E85 spec.... All they got to do now is find enough petrol stations that will stock E85 to make the fuel viable to all aussies.

Might be a PR thing then.
Save for having a big flashing sign it was pretty obvious that the POS was running on ethanol.

Didn't Peter Debnam (leader at the time of the NSW libs) have an E85 falcon? Was a couple of years ago though. Anyway, wasn't ford testing E85 or is the groundwork for the I6 done already?

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Paxton

Euro IV next year hey? Not what I've been told...

So I assume this is to reduce the fuel consumption war with Holden?