What is it?
Ford's latest move in engine downsizing sees the new Focus fitted with a three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. It produces 120g/km of CO2 and up to 118hp and 170Nm of torque
Why's it here?
All manufacturers are looking for the latest innovations to reduce CO2 emissions yet retain the drivability that consumers have become accustomed to. Some have fitted three-cylinder engines to small city cars but never cars the size of the Focus, C-Max and the all new B-Max. Ford has gone against convention by purposely unbalancing the flywheel and pulley system to rein in the characteristic three-cylinder rattle, thereby delivering acceptable levels of refinement. If it works as well in real life as it does on paper Ford could be on to a winner, and it needs to be, as the new engine will be available in cars in China and America as well as the European market.
Show stopper or floor filler?
An engine is never going to attract that much attention on its own unless it is a quad turbo, twin supercharged W24 but Ford wisely fitted it to the all-new Focus so people can marvel at it while inspecting the new car.