Auto box for Fiesta’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost

The 74kW 1-litre EcoBoost engine will be paired with Ford’s advanced, six-speed dual-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission – the first time Ford has combined the two technologies – delivering CO2 emissions of 114 g/km and 4.9 l/100 km fuel consumption, according to the usual slightly hypothetical formulas.

“With its exciting design and technology features, the Fiesta is capturing the imagination of customers around the globe – and South Africa is no different,” said marketing manager Gavin Golightly. “The first combination of our award-winning EcoBoost 1-litre engine with PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission is a major step forward in this segment and will appeal to many new customers – especially those looking for cutting edge technology.”

Unlike regular hydraulically operated automatic transmissions, which use power-sapping torque converters, wet clutches and pumps, Ford’s dual-clutch PowerShift automatic consists of two manual transmissions working in parallel. Each has its own independent clutch unit controlled by computers and fast-acting electromechanical actuators that shift the gears.

One clutch carries the odd gears, 1, 3 and 5, while the other carries the even gears, 2, 4 and 6, and reverse. PowerShift is automatic because the gear changes are co-ordinated by a computer that directs the clutches to engage and disengage in a way that provides seamless delivery of torque to the wheels, even during gear changes. As a result, the driver benefits from improved fuel economy, along with the crisp acceleration normally associated with a manual gearbox.

“The Fiesta is an important model in the Ford line-up. The 1-litre EcoBoost is one of the most advanced engines Ford has ever produced and makes use of a multitude of innovative techniques, while the dual-clutch design combines the efficiency, optimised gear ratios and driving enjoyment of a manual gearbox with the smoothness and ease-of-use of a conventional automatic. It’s the best of both worlds,” said Golightly.

The 1-litre EcoBoost engine uses direct fuel injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing to deliver the power of a larger engine with the fuel efficiency of a smaller engine; from a three-cy-linder engine block small enough to fit into the overhead luggage compartment of an aeroplane.

BOOSTED: Ford Fiesta 1.0-litre EcoBoost now available with Ford Powershift six-speed automatic transmission.

While the diminutive size of the EcoBoost ensures its efficiency, it offers performance to rival much larger displacement engines. With 74kW and 170Nm on offer the 1-litre EcoBoost delivers more power for its size than even some premium cars.

EcoBoost is fundamental to Ford’s strategy to provide technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains that deliver performance and fuel economy. Ford say these EcoBoost engines deliver fuel economy gains of up to 20% and reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15%, compared with larger, less-efficient engines.