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Ford Targets Near-Term Fuel Economy Improvements Across Millions of Vehicles

DETROIT, Apr. 16, 2008 -- With rising prices at the pump, it"s nosurprise that more than 58 percent of automobile consumers polled by Kelly BlueBook in March indicated that fuel prices affected their purchase decision. While Ford, along with other automakers, are exploring game-changing, long-termsolutions, developing affordable, near-term ways to improve fuel efficiencyis critical as well.

Andreas R. Schamel, Ford"s chief engineer for Research and AdvancedEngineering, will explain to SAE delegates today how volume-based,near-term actions -- such as Ford"s upcoming EcoBoost engine technology --can deliver real-world fuel economy improvements for millions of customerswithin the next five years.

EcoBoost, which mates advanced direct injection technology andturbocharging with a gasoline engine, can deliver up to 20 percent betterfuel economy, 15 percent lower CO2 emissions and superior drivingperformance versus larger displacement engines. The technology will bespread across Ford"s lineup from small cars to large pickups.

"The challenges of CO2 and fuel economy are complex, global issues,"Schamel says. "There is no single, universal answer around the world.That"s why we"re pursuing technology such as EcoBoost that"s scale-able tolarge-volume production now in the short term."

The EcoBoost family of 4- and 6-cylinder engines builds on today"saffordable gasoline engines allowing the technology to be applied across awide range of engines and vehicles types. In the next five years, EcoBoostwill be available on a half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehiclesannually in North America, far exceeding current hybrid vehicle productioncapacity.

That means a significant impact on fuel consumption, Schamel says.

"EcoBoost will provide real-world fuel efficiency benefits in the nearterm with a shorter payback time than other advanced technologies. Webelieve hybrids, diesels and technologies such as plug-ins and fuel cellshave a role, but we believe that having the right mix of fuel-savingtechnologies over time is the best approach."

In 2009, Ford will first introduce EcoBoost on the Lincoln MKS featuringa 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that will produce the power and torque ofa V-8 engine with the fuel efficiency of a V-6. With an estimated 340horsepower and more than 340 lb.-ft. of torque, the Lincoln MKS will be themost powerful and fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive luxury sedan in the market-- while saving customers about $340 a year in fuel costs compared with astandard V-8 model luxury sedan.

Direct injection coupled with turbocharging allows for the downsizing ofengines that deliver improved torque and performance. A 4-cylinder EcoBoostengine has the capability of producing more torque than a larger 6-cylinderengine -- nearly an entire liter larger in displacement -- with up to 20percent better fuel efficiency.

EcoBoost -- combined with six-speed transmissions, advanced electricpower steering, weight reductions and aerodynamic improvements -- is a keypart of Ford Motor Company"s near term strategy to deliver affordable,sustainable, quality vehicles that customers want and value.