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Ford Ecoboost Engine: Explanation, Benefits, & Overview

Ford Ecoboost Engine: Explanation, Benefits, & Overview

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What’s Ford EcoBoost all about? Power? Efficiency? Smooth, responsive driving? Intelligently-engineered dependability? The answer is everything listed above and more. You’ll find one of many Ford EcoBoost engine options across the new Ford lineup, unleashing thrilling performance that doesn’t sacrifice precious MPGs.

Learn more about the EcoBoost engine below. Once you do, visit Bell Ford to experience it in action.

What Is a Ford EcoBoost Engine?

What Is a Ford EcoBoost Engine?

Split the name to its basics, and you’ll find the overall answer to “what’s Ford EcoBoost?”

“Eco” signifies the increased fuel efficiency that results from three key benefits, and “boost” represents the added power that a turbocharger boost brings forth.

The various Ford EcoBoost engines all focus on bringing out the full potential of a low-displacement, high-precision powerplant, and the first was brought to life in 2009.

Once the EcoBoost engine was introduced, our all-new Ford inventory began offering this new formula for fun, proving that muscular horsepower and torque outputs didn’t have to cast aside fuel efficiency. Rather, it could simultaneously improve a vehicle’s power and efficiency.

How Does an EcoBoost Ford Engine Work?

How Does an EcoBoost Ford Engine Work?

As important as asking “what’s Ford EcoBoost” can be, “how does Ford EcoBoost work” is just as essential of a question. You’ll want to know what’s going on under your vehicle’s hood, so here’s a brief overview of what makes an EcoBoost engine tick:

Turbocharging

A gasoline engine needs both fuel and air to make power; what’s Ford EcoBoost capable of doing with this mix? First, a naturally-aspirated engine relies on external, natural airflow.

Turbocharging is like having a mini jet engine force-feeding compressed air into your engine. The engine’s exhaust gasses are recycled to spin up a “hot side” turbine, which in turn drives a “cold side” compressor. This compressed air is often sent through additional cooling stages to achieve denser airflow.

This forced air induction offers a more-explosive fuel-air ratio than most naturally aspirated engines can achieve. With additional oxygen in the cylinders, the engine can use less fuel to make more horsepower. The turbocharger’s recycling of exhaust gasses can lower the emissions of our Ford lease deals, too.

Direct Fuel Injection

Every new car uses fuel injection (the indirectly-injected fuel spray of a carburetor handled the task in classic years), so what’s Ford EcoBoost got to bring to the table?

The answer is a more direct, efficient approach to the job. Most fuel injection systems (typically known as “port injection systems”) use an external rail to deliver fuel to a series of injectors. These port injectors spray a fuel mist into the engine’s valves, which then help atomize and lead the fuel into the cylinders.

Direct fuel injection does away with these somewhat-antiquated injection steps, bypassing the valves and sending fuel straight into the cylinders with typically higher-pressure injectors. Whether it’s a Ford F-150 or Ford Mustang EcoBoost engine, this advanced fuel-feeding technique can increase fuel efficiency and create more-responsive performance characteristics.

Variable Camshaft Timing

A camshaft controls when each valve opens and closes in relation to the piston’s movement. If you’ve heard drag-strip or speedway pros talk engine tuning, you’ve likely heard the word “timing” thrown around.

Simply put, camshaft timing optimizes an engine around performance, efficiency, or dependability but typically is fixed into place with one focus. What’s Ford EcoBoost focused on for this timing variety? All of the above.

Most EcoBoost engines offer twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). When the engine’s control computer deems it necessary, the camshaft timing seamlessly switches between prioritizing MPGs to unleashing the engine’s fullest power potential, with longevity as a focus at all times.

The Ford EcoBoost Engine Lineup

The Ford EcoBoost Engine Lineup

The Ford Escape EcoBoost engine is different from the Ford EcoBoost engine F-150 trucks use. Seven EcoBoost engines power the Ford lineup. Here’s an overview of each EcoBoost engine and the Ford models that use it:

Ford 1.0 EcoBoost Engine

This 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine powers previous Ford EcoSport SUVs; the Ford EcoBoost engine 1.0 lays down 123 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.

Ford 1.5 EcoBoost Engine

Standard on certain Bronco Sport and Escape trim levels, this 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine unleashes 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque.

Ford 2.0 EcoBoost Engine

Found in the new Maverick, EcoSport, Edge, Escape, and Bronco Sport, this 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes between 166 to 250 horsepower and 149 to 280 pound-feet of torque.

Ford 2.3 EcoBoost Engine

The 2.3 Ford EcoBoost engine powers the Bronco, Mustang EcoBoost, certain Explorer trims, and the Ranger truck; this 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes between 270 to 310 horsepower and 310 to 350 pound-feet of torque.

Ford 2.7 EcoBoost Engine

The heart of an Edge ST and certain Bronco SUVs and F-150 trucks, this 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 lets loose between 315 to 335 horsepower and 380 to 410 pound-feet of torque.

Ford 3.0 EcoBoost Engine

Bestowing the Explorer ST and upcoming Bronco Raptor with immense power, this 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes between 400 to 418 horsepower and 415 to 440 pound-feet of torque.

Ford 3.5 EcoBoost Engine

You’ll find this mighty engine on the Expedition or certain F-150 trims. This 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes between 380 to 400 horsepower and 470 to 500 pound-feet of torque in standard form. As a high-output variant in the F-150 Raptor or Expedition Timberline, the 3.5 Ford EcoBoost engine makes between 440 to 450 horsepower and a hefty 510 pound-feet of torque.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ford EcoBoost a good engine?

The Ford EcoBoost is a great option for drivers who want improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing spirited performance. With its naturally aspirated engine, which forces air induction and the recycling of excess exhaust, your Ford EcoBoost engine won’t need as much fuel to produce horsepower. Give our team a call at Bell Ford to learn more about EcoBoost and discover more insight into this tried and true innovative technology.

What is the difference between an EcoBoost and a regular engine?

Ford EcoBoost engines combine three innovative technologies to bolster the power and efficiency of your vehicle without hurting its fuel efficiency. These three features are turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and twin independent variable camshaft timing (also known as Ti-VCT), and they work in tandem to push powerful performance while maintaining an economical drive. The EcoBoost engine is also much less heavy than the average engine to avoid wasted exhaust.

Does EcoBoost get better gas mileage?

The Ford EcoBoost engine boasts enhanced gas mileage due to its economical technology. Optimizing fuel efficiency while maintaining horsepower, acceleration, and overall performance, the EcoBoost engine relies on your car’s intelligent computer system to automatically switch between prioritizing MPGs or performance. This seamless blend of technology and lightweight design, which reduces the overall curb weight of your vehicle, means the EcoBoost engine achieves a healthy gas mileage.

Discover the EcoBoost Difference at Bell Ford

Whether you’re looking for an easy, savings-filled way to schedule service for EcoBoost engine types or want to learn more about the Ford PowerBoost engine, the Bell Ford team is happy to help. Visit us today to test drive the EcoBoost lineup, and discover our EcoBoost-powered lease deals today.


Prices do not include dealer installed options. May not represent actual vehicle (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary).

Excludes tax, tag, title, license and registration, and dealer documentation fee of $599.

Price doesn’t include reconditioning or certification if applicable.

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