Ford Expands European Availability of 160HP 1.6L Turbo to S-Max and Galaxy MPVs

After the Mondeo, the revised S-Max and Galaxy MPV models are next in line to be offered with Ford's new 1.6-litre 160hp EcoBoost engine with European sales starting this month. The new 1.6-litre turbocharged unit is the smallest displacement engine that has ever been made available to the S-MAX and Galaxy models.

The EcoBoost engine produces peak power of 160 horsepower and a maximum torque of 240 Nm within a rev band from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. All models equipped with the 1.6-liter powerplant come with a number of fuel-saving features as standard, including Smart Regenerative Charging, the Ford Eco Mode driver information system and an Active Grille Shutter system.

According to Ford, the S-Max 1.6 EcoBoost model completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 9,8 seconds (Galaxy: 9.9'') and reaches a top speed of 204km/h - 127mph (Galaxy: 201 km/h - 125 mph).

The five-seater MPV returns a combined fuel efficiency of 7.0lt/100km - 40.3 mpg UK (Galaxy: 7.2lt -39.2 mpg UK), which translates into an average CO2 emission of 164 g/km (Galaxy: 169 g/km).

In addition to the 1.6-liter turbo gasoline unit, Ford said it plans to introduce more options in early 2011 including a version of the same EcoBoost engine with a stop/start system, the 200HP 2.2-liter diesel with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 115HP 1.6-liter diesel with start/stop and ECOnetic features.

Ford Launches Mondeo with 160HP 1.6-liter EcoBoost Engine

As part of the UK launch of the facelifted Mondeo, Ford released details on the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine with 160 hp. The new turbocharged four-cylinder unit is not only 10% more powerful than the naturally aspirated 45 hp 2.0-liter variant it replaces, but also extends the driving range by an extra 100 miles or 160km returning 41.5 UK mpg on the combined cycle (34.5 US mpg or 6.81 lt/100 km).

Under the EcoBoost moniker, Ford combines a range of technologies including turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable cam timing, all of which were non-existent in Ford's older engine line-up. But, better late than never, right? The important thing is that, now, the Blue Oval has modern engines, both powerful and economical that benefit from lower taxation, as is the case with Britain.

Ford claims that, factoring in power, consumption and taxation, the Mondeo 1.6 EcoBoost is comparable with the 2.0-liter TDCi diesel, as showcased in the comparo below.

Kevin Griffin, Ford of Britain fleet director, said: "Ford's newest Mondeo has an exterior look and standard of interior well suited to the executive car park. We've added powertrains which support the lower carbon economy we now live in. The efficient 1.6 EcoBoost in Mondeo is a sporty alternative for petrol advocates who switched to diesel in order to pay less tax."

In the coming months, Ford will also introduce the 1.6 TDCi diesel engine, with 115 hp, while the 1.6 EcoBoost will be available in the S-MAX and Galaxy.

In the UK, prices for the Mondeo 1.6 Ecoboost start from £18,945, all taxes and fees included.

By Csaba Daradics

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