GM Gambles on Small Car While Ford Pushes for an EcoBoost
September 10, 2008 by Darryl - Your Car Guy
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Automotive Heavyweights Go Head-to-Head on A New Generation of Fuel Efficiency
The same day General Motors announced that it will invest more than $500 million in the U.S. to build its next-generation compact car, Ford came out swinging. It too had an announcement. In Detroit, Ford President Mark Fields demonstrated a prototype of the new EcoBoost engine. The crowd was blown away. “This,” Fields said, “will put a smile on your face.”
Ford’s EcoBoost engine promises to get drivers 20 percent better fuel economy with 15 percent less CO2, causing even less damage to the environment. Fields says the EcoBoost system combines turborcharging and direct injection to provide better performance and higher gas mileage. The new engines will debut on the Lincoln MKS sedan next year. Ford plans to make it available on 90-percent of its models by 2013.
General Motors already has similar engines in limited production, but plans to really capitalize on its new 45 mpg small car, the Chevy Cruze. While it won’t go into production until 2010, GM is already touting its benefits saying that it will not only save consumers fuel costs, its production will re-energize Detroit’s sagging auto sector.
Fuel efficiency is the wave of the future. At least that’s how heavyweights Ford and GM see it. Both plan to spend the next five years stoking sales, restoring profits, and putting money back into consumer pockets. Experts say the U.S. can expect to see an exciting fight in the race for supreme fuel-efficiency. Enjoy the ride.
So who will win? My money’s on Ford.
What are your thoughts? Have your say in the comments.
* In Mississipi, contact Darryl Your Car Guy at Russ Mullin Ford Lincoln Mercury in Gulfport, MS Phone: (479)-283-7147
I’m with GM and compliment Ford on their efforts to improve efficiency. Just to let you know GM models currently available with direct injection and turbo (as well as variable valve timing) are not really that “limited”.
The 260 hp Ecotec 2.0L turbo with direct injection and VVT is available in the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline, Chevrolet HHR SS and the Chevrolet Cobalt SS. The Solstice and Sky were available with this technology set since the 2007 models.
At 130 hp per liter and very good fuel economy (19 city/28 hwy for the Solstice and Sky, 22 city/30 hwy for the Cobalt, 21 city/29 hwy for the HHR according to 2008 EPA fuel economy guide) this GM engine is one of the the most efficient and power dense on the market. Turbocharging combined with direct injection is a great idea. Ford is headed in the right direction.
Thanks.
Tom R.