Reports - Details emerge on Ford's new 1.0 ECOnetic engine

Brazilian automotive publication Auto Esporte have published details on the next generation Ford Ka's engine. The manufacturing facility that makes the engine was inaugurated yesterday in Camacari, Brazil.

Auto Esporte says the new Ka is scheduled in July and the sedan would be launched at the Sao Paulo Auto Show in October. While Ford India have not confirmed plans to sell these cars in India, IAB had learned from multiple sources that the new Ka twins are replacements to the Figo and Classic, and that they would be produced at Ford's second factory in Sanand, Gujarat from next year.

The engine used on the Ka is a derivative of the 1L Ecoboost engine. The new three-cylinder 1.0L Double Command motor develops 85 hp at 6,500 rpm and 105 Nm at 4,500 rpm. The new engine technology has TiVCT, which varies the intake and exhaust valve timings independently. The cooling system is a dual-stage unit and the exhaust manifold has been integrated into the head. The engine is also designed to reduce vibrations and does not need a separate apparatus for cold start.

The same engine could also be used on variants of the Ka sedan, the sub-4m version of which would be introduced in India next year to compete against the Honda Amaze and Maruti Dzire.

Although the automaker has saved the best for the launch, AE says its quite certain that the most basic versions of both the hatch and the sedan will come with factory equipped power steering, air-conditioning, power locks and power windows. In the most-equipped variants, features like multimedia systems can be expected. Ford is yet to reveal the interior of the Ka.

The report adds that the engine weighs just 85 kg and provides the best in class power and torque. Comparable models with a 1L engine are the Hyundai HB20 and the Volkswagen Fox that are down by a minimum of 5 hp and 2.9 Nm relative to the Ford's outputs.

[Source - revistaautoesporte.globo.com]