In the next year alone, we shall be seeing the MKS and the Ford Flex move into the EcoBoost sector as an option. We also heard talk of an EcoBoost F-150 heading our way by the year 2010. Now obviously, the idea of pickup trucks sporting smaller engines might raise a few eyebrows, especially for those who tow trailers. However, the big diesel power plants are not going to be replaced just yet. The torque figures for the EcoBoost engines are quite impressive, but are possibly not yet a viable alternative to diesel when it comes to towing heavy loads.
There are several advantages to the EcoBoost system over such ideas as Hybrids etc. Immediately obvious is the payback on the incremental purchase price. Typically, a hybrid vehicle would take around 7.9 years to actually pay any real dividends back to the owner. With an EcoBoost vehicle, this number drops dramatically to 1.6 years.
Does this mean that the hybrid vehicle is a thing of the past? Certainly not, at the present, battery packs utilized in hybrid vehicles are still rather pricey, but advancements in battery technology is constantly moving forward, and the day could possibly come when hybrids take the lead role. To be truthful, nobody really knows what the final solution is. In fact, if I knew that, then I would be the Chairman of the Board on one of the large automobile manufacturers, or possibly retired to my own private island.
Ford realizes this also, and is currently working on a number of alternative fuel platforms. If you like, "it's keeping its fingers in all the pies", even with technology such as hydrogen, which still seems light years away at the moment. By moving forward with all the major technologies, Ford will be in a perfect position to move swiftly into a certain sector, should a major advancement be made in any one particular field.
Similarly, Ford is looking at various ways of reducing weight in vehicles and utilizing more sustainable materials in its manufacturing process. An example of this is the soy based foam which is currently used in the seats of the Mustang, the F-150, Navigator, Expedition, and the entire Escape range.
Ford say that we can expect to see vehicles weights reduce by approximately 250-750 lbs over the next few years. Much of this will be achieved by greater use of lightweight alloys and high-strength steel etc.
Ford's forward thinking and its commitment to making life better for its customers and the environment is something which I applaud. Mind you, the company has been around for a few years now, and like they say: "You can't beat experience."
photo:Ford
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| Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS, equipped with 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6. |
There are several advantages to the EcoBoost system over such ideas as Hybrids etc. Immediately obvious is the payback on the incremental purchase price. Typically, a hybrid vehicle would take around 7.9 years to actually pay any real dividends back to the owner. With an EcoBoost vehicle, this number drops dramatically to 1.6 years.
Does this mean that the hybrid vehicle is a thing of the past? Certainly not, at the present, battery packs utilized in hybrid vehicles are still rather pricey, but advancements in battery technology is constantly moving forward, and the day could possibly come when hybrids take the lead role. To be truthful, nobody really knows what the final solution is. In fact, if I knew that, then I would be the Chairman of the Board on one of the large automobile manufacturers, or possibly retired to my own private island.
Ford realizes this also, and is currently working on a number of alternative fuel platforms. If you like, "it's keeping its fingers in all the pies", even with technology such as hydrogen, which still seems light years away at the moment. By moving forward with all the major technologies, Ford will be in a perfect position to move swiftly into a certain sector, should a major advancement be made in any one particular field.
Similarly, Ford is looking at various ways of reducing weight in vehicles and utilizing more sustainable materials in its manufacturing process. An example of this is the soy based foam which is currently used in the seats of the Mustang, the F-150, Navigator, Expedition, and the entire Escape range.
Ford say that we can expect to see vehicles weights reduce by approximately 250-750 lbs over the next few years. Much of this will be achieved by greater use of lightweight alloys and high-strength steel etc.
Ford's forward thinking and its commitment to making life better for its customers and the environment is something which I applaud. Mind you, the company has been around for a few years now, and like they say: "You can't beat experience."
photo:Ford