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Ford Ecosport smaller engine sets new trend in cars in India

Hike in petrol prices along with emission control being the pin point have given birth to aplenty large saloons housing small engines that are being upgraded to match the productivity figures of the larger engine which they replace. Ford too has developed a new 1.0 litre, three pot, EcoBoost engine for its new compact SUV, Ford EcoSport. The engine is as good as a 1.6 litre petrol mill and promises to deliver the same performance that its larger counterpart does.

Maruti too is not far behind; its 1.2 litre petrol powerplant that does duty in Maruti Swift Dzire petrol variant has been borrowed to power Maruti Ertiga compact MPV. Japanese auto companies, Toyota is also using the 1.4 litre diesel mill in two its sedans, Toyota Etios and the premium saloon Toyota Corolla. Following the same lines is the French auto maker Renault, Renault’s luxury saloon Renault Fluence and B segment hatch Renault Pulse are equipped with the same diesel engine with 1461 cc displacement.

The main reason behind this is enhanced fuel economy that these smaller engines offer. Ford’s 1.0 litre, 3 pot engine is capable of delivering 20% improved fuel economy and performance as compared to the 1.6 litre petrol power train. The torque and power figures engendered by the 1.0 litre engine are better than the 1. 6 litre engine. This is possible due to the turbocharger that renders higher power and torque figures without affecting the fuel economy.

Therefore the difference between the engines equipped in Ertiga and Dzire is the turbo power. Despite of being powered with the same engine Dzire generates 75 PS of power while Ertiga which has the same engine but produces 90 PS of power. The same engine is also affixed in Maruti SX4. Diesel turbochargers have been present for quite some time but the diesel turbochargers have come to existence only just a while ago. The discernment for turbochargers at present stands at 25% for petrol as well as diesel powerplants which is expected to reach 70% by the year 2020.