Ford: 4-cylinder market share could hit 66% by 2020

[karlhenk]

"I think it's maybe a stretch. But I don't find it implausible," said Bill Visnic, senior editor at the car research site Edmunds.com, in a telephone interview. "If you look at where things have been going segment by segment, except pickups, you could say that's been the trend."

 

In 2008, new vehicles with four-cylinders made up 40 percent of the market, according to market researcher R.L. Polk & Co.; today, they are 53 percent of the new-vehicle market.

 

And Ford anticipates that by 2020, 66 percent of all new vehicles will come equipped with four-cylinders.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130520/AUTO0102/305200334#ixzz2TqFMD8jF

 

[Edstock]

IIRC, M-B offers a not-so-mighty turbo-4 in the mighty S-class Übersled. Of course, the über is somewhat diminished, but that's why there's AMG, for folks with the need for speed. But the point remains: with direct injection and computerized engine management and stuff like VVT, today's turbo fours have acceptable NVH characteristics.

[jpd80]

It's pretty obvious what will happen if companies continue to replace or withdraw six cylinder vehicles with four cylinder versions...

 

 

LOL, off topic:

GM's latest addition, the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is $5,000 dearer than an Eco 1.4 Turbo.

Edited May 20, 2013 by jpd80

[BORG]

It's going to be pretty hard to buy a V6 in all the volume cars, so it's not surprising at all.

[theoldwizard]

Ford is hedging its bets the the all new "nano" V6 which should launch in early 2014CY.

[jpd80]

And all existing V6 and V8 engines will no doubt be receiving progressive upgrades,

it would be dangerous for competitors to think current performance levels will stay the same.

[chevys]

Ford is hedging its bets the the all new "nano" V6 which should launch in early 2014CY.

Wizard, any word and what vehicles the nano 6 will find its way into?

[akirby]

Wizard, any word and what vehicles the nano 6 will find its way into?

 

Fords and/or Lincolns.

[aneekr]

IIRC, M-B offers a not-so-mighty turbo-4 in the mighty S-class Übersled. Of course, the über is somewhat diminished, but that's why there's AMG, for folks with the need for speed. But the point remains: with direct injection and computerized engine management and stuff like VVT, today's turbo fours have acceptable NVH characteristics.

 

W221 S-Class is offered with one four cylinder engine option, and only in certain markets: the OM 651 2.1L turbo diesel. One variant with this engine - S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY - was declared the 2012 World Green Car of the Year.

 

NVH characteristics of turbo four cylinder engines vary greatly. Some, like the aforementioned Mercedes-Benz OM 651, are very smooth and refined. Others such as Fiat's 1.4T MultiAir and Ford's 1.6T Ecoboost exhibit a coarseness that many car buyers may find objectionable.

 

LOL, off topic:

GM's latest addition, the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is $5,000 dearer than an Eco 1.4 Turbo.

 

Many reviewers have compared Cruze Eco to the turbo diesel variant, but the 2LT version with automatic transmission is a much more appropriate comparison in terms of feature set. 2013 Cruze 2LT 6AT is $23,135; 2014 Cruze Diesel retails for $25,695. Even if you account for the $1,500 rebate currently available on the former, the difference is closer to $4,000.

[Edstock]

the difference is closer to $4,000.

 

Down the road in out-of-warranty reality, just wondering, how much will it cost to re & re the high pressure injector pump? The reason I ask is that Dean stated that the unit on a Jetta diesel was around $7,000 to replace, so is there a similar Cruze surprise?