As described in my ealier post: Ford Mondeo and S-Max with EcoBoost launched in Malaysia, EcoBoost is a family of turbocharged direct injection, with six-cylinder and four-cylinder gasoline engines produced by Ford Motor Company. Engines equipped with EcoBoost technology are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with larger displacement, naturally aspirated engines while achieving approximately 20% better fuel efficiency and 15% reduced greenhouse emissions than these same engines. Relative to the power output and fuel efficiency of hybrid and diesel technologies, Ford sees EcoBoost as an affordable and versatile alternative and intends on using it extensively in future vehicle applications.
A sample cut-off photo of a transmission
Normally, rather than the transmission, engine get more attraction by the peoples. Mindset is that performance much depends on the engine, while transmission only delivering the engine power to the wheel by drive shaft. But in the case of the new tranmission that Ford rolled out in a recent tech briefing here in Dearborn, Mi., the in-house designed and manufactured cog-swapper is worth a close look where the new concept can deliver better performance and better fuel economy for Ford's small cars of the future.
EcoBoost concept
To accompany its new 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder turbo engine for upcoming compact and midsize cars, Ford announced an all-new 8-speed automatic transmission. Even though auto transmission seems quite odd compare to dual clutch plate transmission and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), this traditional hydraulic planetary-style layout 8-speed AT has no remarkable advantage. However, it comes with one newly impressive feature: the real-time engine-torque sensor. In typical AT, electronically controlled transmissions rely on rough calculation of the engine torque based on throttle position and rpm. Then, TCU (Transmission Control Unit) uses the information to help select the gear automatically, shift points and shift speed. But Ford's new creation directly measures and reports real torque output, according to chief engineer for new transmissions Craig Renneker, who wasn't shy in touting the new creation: "This is being called the holy grail of transmission control." To get real-time data, the system magnetizes an approximately 1-inch section of the transmission input shaft and uses a fine-resolution magnetic field sensor to determine angular deflection along that section. The system knows how much torque is needed to twist the input shafts certain distances; that produces instant torque data that can be fed to the transmission controller.
The reason to go to all this trouble is simple: Real-time data cuts gear change times down to 200 milliseconds, twice as fast as Ford's best current hydraulic automatic transmissions. That rivals a dual clutch gearbox for speed. It means the new transmission will be smoother, exactly matching the correct gear to the correct engine speed with no hunting. And it's also important to remember that Ford's big-picture purpose of the new unit is to maximize performance of the Ecoboost engines. A wider spread of gear ratios will allow Ford to maintain the performance customers expect while drastically downsizing engine size and cylinder count. It doesn't hurt that the new 8-speed is up to 6 percent more efficient than the 6-speed it will replace.
Ford claims the new power plant will deliver the power and smoothness of a 1.6-liter 4 cylinder (about 110 hp) with considerably improved fuel economy. It should offer many of the same performance characteristics of other Ecoboost engines such as early torque delivery and flat torque curves. It's a completely clean sheet design that focuses on reducing friction losses and improving thermal management (cooling system). One of the key engine features is a water-cooled exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head. [It is not possible to air-cool the exhaust manifold due to the space limitation in the engine room]. While a reduction in parts and weight is important, the real benefit comes with the addition of a second cooling circuit. One circuit manages the temperature of the engine block, while the other takes care of the cylinder head and exhaust manifold. The engine computer regulates the various temperatures to ensure quick catalytic converter operation and optimum fuel mixtures to save fuel.
Below are the two models, Fiesta and B-Max which has been rumored to receive the EcoBoost 1.0L engine with 8-speed AT transmission.
More details such as fuel consumption, weight, performance and most importantly applicable model information are expected to be released soon by Ford officials.
Below are the two models, Fiesta and B-Max which has been rumored to receive the EcoBoost 1.0L engine with 8-speed AT transmission.
More details such as fuel consumption, weight, performance and most importantly applicable model information are expected to be released soon by Ford officials.
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