Ford of Europe plans to bring significant
electrification, commercial vehicle and SUV news at the Go Further event that
will take place on April 2 in Amsterdam. The automaker has confirmed it
will unveil 48-volt mild-hybrid Fiesta and Focus models as part of a new lineup
of hybrid and all-electric cars, SUVs, and commercial vehicles.
The Fiesta EcoBoost Hybrid and Focus EcoBoost Hybrid
will be introduced next year with a mild-hybrid architecture designed to
enhance fuel efficiency as well as deliver “more powerful and responsive
performance.”
Both models will feature a belt-driven integrated
starter/generator (BISG) replacing the standard alternator. Its job is to
enable recovery and storage of energy usually lost during braking and coasting
to charge a 48-volt lithium-ion air-cooled battery pack. The BISG also acts as an electric
motor, using the stored energy to provide torque assistance to the
three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine during normal driving and
acceleration. The belt-driven integrated starter/generator also runs the
vehicle’s electric ancillaries.
Ford says the electric torque assistance helps
deliver punchier, more responsive performance, particularly at lower engine
speeds that will contribute to a more flexible and connected driving
experience. Since the BISG also mitigates turbo lag, it allowed engineers to add
a larger turbocharger to the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine for more power. Ford
hasn’t provided specifics, only releasing projected fuel economy and CO2
emissions.
The Fiesta EcoBoost Hybrid is expected to average 4.9
lt/100 km (57.6 mpg UK) and 112 g/km of CO2, while the Focus EcoBoost Hybrid
will be even more efficient, with 4.7 lt/100 km (60.1 mpg UK) and 106 g/km of
CO2, respectively. Besides the Fiesta and Focus, later this year Ford will also
introduce mild-hybrid powertrains to the Transit 2-tonne and Transit Custom
vans, as well as the Tourneo Custom people-mover.
