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GasBuddy News Article

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Ford's little engine that could challenge hybrids

Michigan Radio -- Ford Motor Co. intends to prove that good things come in small packages — really small packages. The company has taken engine downsizing to a new level with its new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which has been introduced in Europe and is set to hit the U.S. market next year.

The EcoBoost offers more power than many conventional four-cylinder engines, with fuel economy numbers a hybrid could envy. Early fans are calling it a modern "little engine that could," and Ford is betting that American customers are ready to embrace a three-cylinder engine.


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Submitted Jul 28, 2012 By: leemun
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: Ford's little engine that could challenge hybrids Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Jul 31, 2012 2:50:34 AM

there are lots of vehicles and configurations in Europe that are never making it to the US. Most are highly fuel efficient.
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dave27johnson
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Jul 29, 2012 11:17:07 AM

Hope so.
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DanMtz
Champion Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Jul 29, 2012 8:09:42 AM

It's the new wave of small economy cars.
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monarch57
Champion Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: Jul 29, 2012 8:07:46 AM

Hopefully the cost will stay down.
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remay
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Jul 29, 2012 5:50:50 AM

"Ford is expected to charge about $1,000 more than for one with a four-cylinder engine.

"The big experiment is, will Americans pay more money for a smaller motor if they're getting better fuel economy out of it?" "

I would not bet on it...
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Bill100
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Jul 29, 2012 4:33:22 AM

Sticking with diesel. 49 mpg nowadays.
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SkooterG
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Jul 29, 2012 3:45:38 AM

Cool. Can't wait to see what model it comes out in.
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tomok
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Jul 29, 2012 1:24:00 AM

A three cylinder EcoBoost engine? Just make sure that 3 cylinder engine delivers what it says it has. A three cylinder engine in a light weight car = high mpg, it will beat an EV or Inbred any day.
Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost.
The price of fuel at the pump is too high!
12/22/2012
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menagerie1013
Champion Author San Diego

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 11:36:57 PM

It will be interesting to see how this progresses.
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Alaydown
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 10:44:54 PM

Anything but electric cars.
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TRYWI
All-Star Author Appleton

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 10:41:54 PM

Old........
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AKmailman
Champion Author Alaska

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:19:54 PM

I'll take a three-cylinder engine for my snow blower
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Fitwit
Champion Author Stockton

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:14:41 PM

Better Yet, don't re-elect Obama.
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crreed1
Champion Author West Virginia

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:13:50 PM

old news
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ManOfLeisureII
Champion Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:10:57 PM

Reelect Obama and the gas tax will approach what it is in Europe. Then they will sell it here.
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rahcat
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:08:40 PM

Old News
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NemoIL
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:06:01 PM

Too bad they will not offer it here. It will probably only be offered in Europe.
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CDMAuto
Champion Author Connecticut

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:05:39 PM

A Greenies Dream
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milespergallon
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:05:35 PM

Students back in the early 90's developed a CERAMIC, yes CERAMIC engine which was very inexpensive to produce, had less then half the supportive equipment to operate, extraordinarily high gas mileage and would be less expensive to just replace it if something went wrong. Is there anything happening with this? NOPE! Why NOT? because it would embarrass the auto industry and make bo actually work to earn profits
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PrinceLH
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:04:20 PM

Yeah, the little tree hugger croud will love it!
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GSORIOS
Sophomore Author California

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:04:01 PM

Let'so this Ford.
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heartbroken2010
Champion Author Ottawa

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:03:17 PM

i think this will catch on with the inter-city dwellers. smart move.
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Bleeder
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:02:54 PM

Leave it to Ford to push the envelope.
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keithyoon1977
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 9:01:47 PM

Ok
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jdc17327
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:54:35 PM

great...it is about time!
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jerej829
Champion Author Memphis

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:50:23 PM

Way to go Ford!!
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CocoPaz
Champion Author Santa Barbara

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:49:24 PM

Freeway safe? Or just for around town?
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insightcruzer
All-Star Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:47:02 PM

as long as the get up and go isn't any less than a hybrid's it's something I'd certainly purchase instead of a hybrid
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CAD69
Champion Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:45:45 PM

Go Ford
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bonzoonfmb
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:45:43 PM

Maybe good for a scooter or an ultralight.
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ramshot412
Champion Author Riverside

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:42:09 PM

"You know how their commercial say Ford has a better idea ! Well there is a lot of truth in what they say."

Yeah, except for the Pinto, Edsel, and a few other bad ideas.
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mlambo
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:38:51 PM

You know how their commercial say Ford has a better idea ! Well there is a lot of truth in what they say.

[Edited by: mlambo at 7/28/2012 11:42:25 PM EST]
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mrbee
Champion Author Little Rock

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:36:36 PM

Proud of you Ford.
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mstearno
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:35:44 PM

this is why FOrd is good and GM stinks
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Alaydown
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:34:19 PM

Good for Ford!
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Jeeputtputt
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:32:19 PM

go ford...
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esquared
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:31:40 PM

Bravo, Ford!
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vrossi46
Champion Author San Jose

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:30:32 PM

good for Ford
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paisho6
Veteran Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:26:38 PM

ok
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miiike572
All-Star Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:25:06 PM

...
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chillyman3
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:24:51 PM

its about time an american car company did something new!
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texashoudini
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:24:03 PM

Ford stock is inching up too.
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tessnlu
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:22:22 PM

I don't think so...the 4 cylinder I had 18 years ago was a real piece of junk that wouldn't pull itself let alone put people in it!
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MDTDriver
Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:19:38 PM

Funny in the 70's Honda had a 3 cylinder engine car.
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timesaverinc
Champion Author Wichita

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:18:50 PM

Nice
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a_lu_vasile
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:18:26 PM

good news
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sillywagon
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:16:57 PM

I like Ford's.

Whenn the little eco-boost engine started up the mountain it passed a Geo Metro going "put put put" very slowly. The little eco-boost engine sighed, breathed deeply and said "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" When the little eco-boost engine passed the snobby Hybrid, the little eco-boost engine smiled a big grin and said "I know I can!!! I know I can!!! I know I can!!!" And the little eco-boost engine reached the other side of the mountain happy as could be.

Not the end... Only the beginning.
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nimpy
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:16:25 PM

This has been proven in
Europe
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Agarre
Champion Author Richmond

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:14:33 PM

Really
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mdskier
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 8:14:21 PM

Believe it when I see it.

(disclaimer: Prius owner here)
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