Ford’s EcoBoost engine breaks 16 world records

IT IS already accounting for a bigger chunk of Ford’s sales, but now the one-litre EcoBoost engine has boosted its image greatly.
Not only can the giant carmaker make many green claims for its pocket-sized motor, but it has now broken a hatful of records — 16 in fact. The 125PS version has set new bests in the 16 FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile)
categories at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France. The tests took place over two days last month. Ford’s EcoBoost engine in the Ford Focus proved its surprising performance by setting the world speed records* over distances from 0.6 miles to 2,550.5 miles.
Drivers including World Rally Championships star Jari-Matti Latvala were involved in the record-breaking attempts. Latvala and eight journalists from France and the US drove three Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost cars identical to those sold in dealerships throughout Europe.
“This little engine punches way above its weight when it comes to performance,” said Latvala, whose regular ride is a 304PS Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car. “The records prove the Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost can be lots of fun — as well as a very frugal car.”
To be eligible, each car was required to be run-in under the supervision of an official FFSA (Fédération Française du Sport Automobile) steward, after being selected from the Ford manufacturing facility in Saarlouis, Germany.
The three Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost models set the “sub-1.0-litre class” world records* for recorded times covering one mile from a standing and flying start; and for highest average speeds recorded over distances from 10km (6.21 miles) to 4,104.7km (2,550.5  miles).
The cars also set highest average speed records* over timed sessions lasting one, six, 12 and 24 hours. The highest average speed recorded was 118.7mph during the setting of the world record for the highest average speed over one hour*.
The 125PS Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost went on sale in the UK in February and already accounts for 25 per cent of total Ford Focus orders. The car is capable of 0-62mph acceleration in 11.3sec and a top speed of 120mph. It delivers 56.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 114g/km.  A 100PS version of the 1.0-litre engine delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency of 58.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 109g/km.
The full list of records is as follows*:
RECORD                                                           AVERAGE SPEED
Standing start 1 kilometre                                113.522 km/h
Standing start 1 mile                                        79.402 mph
Flying start 1 kilometre                                    176.168 km/h
Flying start 1 mile                                            108.548 mph
Highest average speed over 10 km                    172.053 km/h
Highest average speed over 100 km                  187.579 km/h
Highest average speed over 500 km                  186.793 km/h
Highest average speed over 10 miles                110.237 mph
Highest average speed over 100 miles              118.412 mph
Highest average speed over 1 hour                   191.056 km/h (118.716 mph)
Highest average speed over 1000 km                164.361 km/h
Highest average speed over 500 miles               102.656 mph
Highest average speed over 1000 miles             103.357 mph
Highest average speed over 6 hours                  165.555 km/h (102.871 mph)
Highest average speed over 12 hours                166.784 km/h (103.634 mph)
Highest average speed over 24 hours                171.029 km/h (106.272 mph)

* All records are subject to Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) homologation in Category B (series production cars), Group 1 (4-stroke engine), Class 5 (with engines of between 850-1000cc).