High-Tech Gasoline and Diesel Engines

The Ford Vertrek concept shows how the vision of a next-generation, fuel-efficient compact SUV could become reality by extending the reach of the company's growing EcoBoost engine and advanced turbo diesel common-rail direct-injection (TDCi) engine families while introducing Ford Auto Start-Stop technology.

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

In addition to turbocharging with direct injection, Ford powertrain engineers have enhanced EcoBoost's technology capabilities by adding variable valve timing and precisely controlling all aspects of the engine. Ford has at least 125 patents on its EcoBoost technology.

Ford Vertrek concept features the highly efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine, giving the vehicle the power of a larger engine yet delivering significantly better fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

Automatic Shutdown of Engine Saves Fuel

Another key enabler of enhanced fuel efficiency is the Ford Auto Start-Stop system. This system automatically shuts down the engine when the vehicle is at idle - at a stoplight, for example - and quickly restarts the engine when the driver wants to move off.

An Auto Start-Stop system can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 5 percent in mixed driving conditions. In city driving and in heavy traffic with frequent stops, the savings could increase to as much as 10 percent.

The advanced new Ford Auto Start-Stop system has been carefully designed with customer comfort in mind, providing consistent starting and stopping performance that is smooth, quiet and seamless, requiring no changes in driver behavior. When the engine shuts down, the electronic control unit immediately prepares the engine's systems for an instant restart. An integrated system of sensors is then used to detect when the driver performs an action that signals the intent to drive off, such as pressing the accelerator or clutch pedal.

As soon as the driver prepares to move away, the engine starts quietly and almost instantly; it takes the system only around 0.3 second to fire up the engine. The process is near imperceptible and happens before gear selection is completed. To support the increased number of engine starts, the starter motor is upgraded with a high-performance electric motor and a stronger pinion-engagement mechanism with reduced noise levels.

Smart Regenerative Charging

Advanced battery technology is required to ensure the main vehicle battery copes with the frequent charge-discharge cycles common with start-stop operation. Additional technologies ensure the battery is kept charged in the most efficient way.

A Smart Regenerative Charging system increases the alternator output when the vehicle brakes or decelerates. This converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electric energy without using additional fuel.

The "free" electric current is used to recharge the battery, so it can be used by the electrical systems at a later stage. This could be when the engine is switched off during a stop phase but also can be when the generator is operating in a less-efficient mode.

The battery has an advanced management system that continually monitors its status and communicates with the Ford Auto Start-Stop system, so that the regenerative charging feature can charge the battery in the optimal way. The Auto Start-Stop system knows how much battery charge is available, so that it can leave the engine running if the battery does not have a sufficient level of charge.

Ford Vertrek Concept: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications