Ford Launches Mondeo with 160HP 1.6-liter EcoBoost Engine

As part of the UK launch of the facelifted Mondeo, Ford released details on the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine with 160 hp. The new turbocharged four-cylinder unit is not only 10% more powerful than the naturally aspirated 45 hp 2.0-liter variant it replaces, but also extends the driving range by an extra 100 miles or 160km returning 41.5 UK mpg on the combined cycle (34.5 US mpg or 6.81 lt/100 km).

Under the EcoBoost moniker, Ford combines a range of technologies including turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable cam timing, all of which were non-existent in Ford's older engine line-up. But, better late than never, right? The important thing is that, now, the Blue Oval has modern engines, both powerful and economical that benefit from lower taxation, as is the case with Britain.

Ford claims that, factoring in power, consumption and taxation, the Mondeo 1.6 EcoBoost is comparable with the 2.0-liter TDCi diesel, as showcased in the comparo below.

Kevin Griffin, Ford of Britain fleet director, said: "Ford's newest Mondeo has an exterior look and standard of interior well suited to the executive car park. We've added powertrains which support the lower carbon economy we now live in. The efficient 1.6 EcoBoost in Mondeo is a sporty alternative for petrol advocates who switched to diesel in order to pay less tax."

In the coming months, Ford will also introduce the 1.6 TDCi diesel engine, with 115 hp, while the 1.6 EcoBoost will be available in the S-MAX and Galaxy.

In the UK, prices for the Mondeo 1.6 Ecoboost start from £18,945, all taxes and fees included.

By Csaba Daradics

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2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 gets a Special TracKey that Unleashes the Muscle Car's Full Potential

Good news for buyers of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 as Ford announced today that it will provide two sets of keys for the muscle car. And why is this newsworthy, we hear you ask? Because the second optional set, called TracKey, promises to unleash the full performance of the Mustang Boss 302. You see, the TracKey communicates with an additional powertrain control module (PCM) turning the special edition 'Stang into a competition-ready track car.

Once the Boss 302 is started with TracKey, the PCM software adjusts more than 200 engine parameters, among which variable cam timing, spark maps, engine braking and fuel control, providing complete race car calibration.

"From an engine management standpoint, we've done just about everything possible to give TracKey users a full race car experience", explains Jeff Seaman, Mustang powertrain engineer. "It's not for use on the street – for example, the deceleration is set up to preserve the brakes, and the throttle response is very aggressive. A skilled driver on a closed course will really appreciate the benefits".

As part of the same package, Ford engineers also developed a two-stage launch control system, similar to the one used on the Cobra Jet race car. Drivers simply set a desired launch rpm (using buttons on the steering wheel), floor the gas pedal and release the clutch. The electronics will take care of the rest, aiding racing fans and quarter-mile addicts to get the most out of a standing start.

When the track day (or hooning) comes to an end, owners need to restart the engine with the standard key and the Boss 302 will be once again as "normal" as a 444-horsepower special edition Mustang can be.

The Trackey powertrain software installation and key programming will be available for installation through Ford Racing authorized dealers, with pricing to be announced at a later date.

In other relevant news, the Blue Oval company announced today that it is offering every Boss 302 owner a complimentary track day, as part of the Boss Track Attack program, held at the Miller Motorsport Park in Tooele, UT. At the track, customers will be able drive the car to the limit and hone their driving skills.

By Csaba Daradics

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