AM2

The FWD Equinox LTZ with a 2.4 liter SIDI engine isn't light at 3838 lbs, but according to GM it can still manage to get 22 mpg city, 32 mph highway (EPA estimate). A LaCrosse with a 2.4 liter SIDI will probably weigh about as much as the FWD Equinox with the same engine, it should also have better aerodynamics. 30 mpg highway seems possible... Update: In China, the new LaCrosse with a non-SIDI(?) 125 kW (168hp) 2.4 liter Ecotec has a curb weight of 1695 kg (3729 lbs) to 1750 kg (3850 lbs) depending on the trim level/options.

The 2.0 EcoBoost was designed to be capable of producing 275hp (205kW) and 280lb-ft (379Nm) of torque. The Ford Explorer America Concept uses a 275hp 2.0 liter EcoBoost. http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=27456 The 230hp 2.0 liter EcoBoost will probably be used for lighter vehicles like the Fusion/Milan, Escape/Mariner and probably the next Focus ST. Ford will probably use a more powerful 2.0 EcoBoost for the larger heavier models (Falcon, next Explorer etc). I guess 275hp might be enough for a slightly lighter next generation Focus RS (isn't the 2.0 EB supposed to be lighter than the larger Volvo-based turbocharged 5-cylinder engine?)

But the original Puma had rear seats...

It looks like the next Focus for the Asia-Pacific/ASEAN markets will be coming from Thailand. It will most likely be built at AutoAlliance Thailand's new $500M small car plant which will also make the new Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2.

Why not just adopt the current 1.6 liter Duratec for all classes of Formula Ford?

Taken from one of Toyota's press releases from 2004. "Under the agreements, TMC hybrid system control technology patents, among a number of TMC patents resulting from TMC's hybrid system development, were licensed for use in Ford's own hybrid system, which is under development. Ford and TMC have agreed upon the terms and conditions of the licenses in good faith." "At the same time, Ford and TMC concluded an agreement that covers licensing a variety of each company's emissions purification technology patents for lean-burn engines. TMC patents licensed to Ford and Ford group companies involve TMC's NOx storage reduction three-way catalytic converter system applicable to lean-burn engines, such as direct-injection gasoline engines or diesel engines. Ford patents licensed to TMC and TMC group companies involve NOx control and Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) technology." Whole article - http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/04/0309.html

Ford has been trying to cut down on costs, and adapting the same basic vehicle for the global markets seems to be the answer.

How long will Ford hold on to the Volvo T5-based 5-cylinder Duratec ST engines (the ones found in European Fords)? For example the Kuga was introduced in late 2007 and went on sale early 2008. Its a fairly new model, by 2011 it will only be 4 years old. Recently it was given a 5-cylinder turbo option. Does Ford plan to replace its optional Volvo T5-based engine with a 4-cylinder EB during its mid-cycle update, or will they wait for the next generation version?

http://www.ford.com.ph/servlet/ContentServ...H&c=DFYPage

Will all Ford Escapes (including the Asia-Pacific Escape) be replaced by the facelifted 2012MY Kuga? The Asia-Pacific Ford Escape was given a Kinetic Design facelift last year, if this is the direction they are going, they might as well bring in the Kuga to the Asia-Pacific markets. Asia-Pacific Ford Escape

The Zetec SE has the same layout as the latest MZR-based Duratecs (all have their exhaust facing the firewall), the biggest difference is the larger MZR-based Duratecs (1.8, 2.0, 2.3, 2.5) use timing chains, while the Zetec SE-based 1.4 Duratec, 1.6 Duratec & 1.6 Duratec Ti-VCT use a timing belt. This is the 1.6 Duratec Ti-VCT found in the all-new 2009 Fiesta. It still uses a timing belt. I believe that info is for the 1.6 EB which is based on the Zetec SE-based 1.6 Duratec. The 2.0 EB will most likely be based on the MZR-based 2.0 Duratec. Current 4-cylinder Duratec engines found in European & US developed Ford models 1.25 Duratec (timing belt, Zetec SE-based, Sigma family) 1.4 Duratec (timing belt, Zetec SE-based, Sigma family) 1.6 Duratec (timing belt, Zetec SE-based, Sigma family) 1.6 Duratec Ti-VCT (timing belt, Zetec SE-based, Sigma family) 1.8 Duratec (timing chain, MZR-based) 2.0 Duratec (timing chain, MZR-based) 2.3 Duratec (timing chain, MZR-based) 2.5 Duratec (timing chain, MZR-based) Now i'm wondering if Ford will give the 1.6 EcoBoost a timing chain, because when they released the newer 1.6 Duratec Ti-VCT, they still retained the timing belt instead of switching to the timing chain found in the newer bigger displacemtn MZR-based Duratecs.

The Zetec SE is not the same as the older Zetec/ Zetec E. The older Zetec (2.0 Zetec E shown) has its exhaust facing the radiator... ...but the slightly newer 1.6 Zetec SE has its exhaust facing the firewall. The European 1.6 Duratec is based on the 1.6 Zetec SE (Sigma), not older Zetec/ Zetec E (Zeta). 1.6 Duratec (Focus Mk2) 1.6 Duratec Ti-VCT (2009 Ford Fiesta) This is the European 1.6 liter Duratec Ti-VCT found in the new Fiesta (and some other european Fords), its a variable cam timing version of the regular Zetec based European 1.6 Duratec engine. Even this updated version uses a timing belt. The MZR based Duratec engines start with the 1.8 liter Duratec, not with the 1.6 liter Duratec.

I see... By the way, I read something before that the 1.6 liter EcoBoost is based on the European 1.6 liter Duratec. Has this been confirmed? The current 1.6 liter Duratec is still based on the old Zetec SE engine which uses a timing belt instead of the timing chain found in the larger 1.8, 2.0, 2.3 and 2.5 liter Duratec engines (which share their architecture with Mazda's MZR engines). Does this mean the 1.6 liter EcoBoost uses a timing belt? ...or will Ford update it to use a timing chain like their other new engines? The Iosis Max Concept is supposed to be powered by a 180PS 1.6 liter EcoBoost, but the entire engine is hidden under a plastic panel.

Will the E-series van be replace with some global model based on the large european Transit van (current or next gen)? Current E-series van Current Ford Transit/Tourneo (not to be confused with the compact Transit Connect)

I think the sub-compact Fiesta also won't be getting any EcoBoost option. Did Ford announce if there will be an EcoBoost engine smaller than the 1.6 EB? PS: Will the E-series van still be around in 2013 or does Ford plan to be replace it with some global model based on the large euro Transit van (current or next gen)? *edit" Its off-topic, so I started another thread on this topic: http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index...showtopic=32913

The new Ford Fiesta sedan made its world debut in China. Aside from China and North America, the new Fiesta sedan will most likely also be made available in South East Asia where sub-compact sedans are also common.

Quick chop of how the USDM Fiesta sedan might look like...

Yes, thats the reason the pickup bed looks narrow (wide body plus the pickup bed of the current Ranger/BT-50 sold outside North America).

Wasn't the F100 project put on hold or cancelled? The current Ford Ranger/ Mazda BT-50 sold outside of North America (source of the T6 mule's pickup bed) is quite narrow...

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I guess its too late to federalize the 2009 Focus ST for the US. Aside from that the next generation Focus which will be a global car is expected to make its debut sometime in the later part of 2010. The Mk2 Focus and the Mazda 3 have the same basic platform, but the Mk2 Focus seems to have better NVH and a slightly smoother ride (like that of a bigger car). I'm just not sure about the new 2010 Mazda 3, I still haven't driven one yet, but I heard they made a lot of improvements.

Well, it also has a press release with some info... The news is also on CNN... http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articl...ire/0470047.htm

Are you talking about the new special edition Shelby? Its going to be a track-only "R model" based on the 07-08 Shelby GT. Its powered by a 550hp supercharged 4.6 liter V8. http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/new-she...e-only-r-model/

In Europe the PowerShift transmission can be found in the current diesel Focus/C-Max & diesel Volvo C30/S40/V50/C70 models. As far as I know, there are no Focus TDCi models in China. Ford in Taiwan and the Philippines manufacture Focus TDCi models equipped with the 6-speed PowerShift transmission for diesel engines. Is the PowerShift transmission for gasoline engines only for North America?

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/ford-of...earbox-for-201/ The PowerShift transmission will be offered in upcoming gasoline models in the US. I wonder if Ford will also offer the PowerShift transmission on gasoline(petrol) models in Europe and Asia? In Europe and Asia, PowerShift is currently only available in Focus TDCi models.