New Ford EcoBlue diesel engines debut in Transit – but heading for Ford cars

The new Ford EcoBlue diesel engines – offering improved emissions and performance – debut in the Transit before rolling out to passenger cars.

Diesel engine aren’t exactly flavour of the month after the dieselgate scandal has called in to question the real world economy and emissions of the diesel, but Ford hope their new EcoBlue diesel engine – which debut in the Ford Transit – is good enough to allay those concerns and deliver more both more power and lower emissions.

Designed to replace Ford’s current 2.2 litre TDCi diesel engines, the new 2.0 litre EcoBlue is to diesel engines what Ford’s successful EcoBoost is to petrol engines, which means more efficiency and more power from a more compact lump.

The new EcoBlue engines provide up to 20 per cent more torque at 1250rpm compared to the old 2.2 litre TDCi, with an improvement in emissions of more than 10 per cent and economy of 13 per cent (in the Transit spec), reduced NOx emissions and is quieter too.

Ford say the EcoBlue engines will be offered across its passenger car range, with likely candidates anything from the Kuga and Focus to the Mondeo and Focus, with a 1.5 litre version joining in later too.

A range of power outputs for the EcoBlue are promised, ranging from a modest 99bhp – idela for the Fiesta – through to 237bhp, which would seem an ideal lump for a more powerful Focus ST Diesel and Ford’s burgeoning range of SUVs. The EcoBlue’s block can be used for both FWD and RWD drivetrains.

Paul Turner, Ford’s base engine technical leader in Europe, said:

One important factor we noticed through customer feedback is a growing tendency for drivers to ‘creep’ their diesel powered vehicles by engaging the clutch while the engine is at idle – making low-down torque even more essential.

We developed the 2.0-litre Ford EcoBlue engine using feedback from customers around the world. The versatile design even allows the same block to be used for front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive applications, and the sophisticated design and technologies deliver future-proofed fuel efficiency and emissions.

The new EcoBlue diesel engines will launch in the summer in the Transit and Transit Custom, but expect Ford passenger car applications to be arriving later this year.