To highlight the performance and capabilities of the EcoBoost engine, Ford posted an open invitation for Thai consumers to participate in a real-world driving challenge – The New Fiesta EcoBoost Turbo: Fuel Efficiency Challenge – at the Bonanza International Speedway in Nakhon Ratchasima. Almost 100 licensed drivers signed up for the challenge, and were joined by eight respected automotive editors who participated in a multi-role as instructors and independent advisors for the consumers, as well as participants.
The challenge featured six new Ford Fiesta EcoBoost Turbo units – three five-door Fiesta EcoBoost Sport ATs and three four-door Fiesta EcoBoost Titanium ATs – which driven under an ‘extra urban’ driving cycle to reflect real-world driving conditions. The challenge controls included driving at a minimum average speed of 55 Km/h, with the air-conditioning switched on to speed “3” and sealed at a temperature of 25C, windows closed.
A standard tire pressure of 31 pounds per square inch for the front wheels and 26 pounds per square inch for the rear wheels, as stated in the user manual, were confirmed. The average fuel consumption among all participants for the four-door Fiesta EcoBoost Titanium AT was 16.56 km/l; for the five-door Fiesta EcoBoost Sport AT it was 15.68 km/l. The winners with best fuel efficiency rates from the two new Ford Fiesta Turbo models received prizes worth 20,000 THB, runner-ups received prizes worth 10,000 THB and second runner-ups prizes worth 5,000 THB.
Castrol provided games for participants at its booth and information on the co-engineering of synthetic engine oils by Ford and Castrol. Canon provided a photography workshop, Tips for Beautiful Photos using DSLR, and demonstrated the Canon Pixma A4 printer’s high quality photo printing capabilities. Designed and engineered by a global One Ford team, the new Ford Fiesta EcoBoost Turbo takes advantage of Ford’s worldwide expertise, particularly the patented 1.0L EcoBoost engine, which was named the 2013 International Engine of the Year, winning the award for the second consecutive year and the six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission.
The three-cylinder engine combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing to produce 125 PS (92 kW) of power and 170 Nm of peak torque, rivalling the power and performance of a traditional 1.6L petrol engine. The peak torque is available from 1,400 to 4,500 rpm, so drivers can pull away and overtake easily.
