NGK Spark Plugs in International Engine of the Year
An innovative car engine with NGK spark plugs at its core has won a prestigious international award for the second consecutive year.
They feature inFord’s ultra-fuel efficient 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine which has been named 2013 International Engine of the Year.
Designed and engineered in the UK, the three-cylinder engine – which combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing to lower fuel consumption without sacrificing power – received the highest score in the history of the awards presented by Engine Technology International magazine and also won the ‘Best Engine Under 1.0-litre’ category.
Ford has confirmed plans to double production of the engine at its German plant in Cologne to more than 1000 units a day from mid-August to meet demand.
Tim Ward, Deputy General Manager – Sales & Marketing, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “We are delighted that Ford’s EcoBoost engine has once again won such an important industry accolade.
“It was a major achievement for NGK when our spark plugs were selected as original equipment on this ground-breaking Ford engine which has won a clutch of awards in recent months.
“It emphasises how as a company we work closely with the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers to produce ever better, more environmentally-friendly vehicles.”
Joe Bakaj, Ford Vice President, Global Powertrain, said: “With a technology as mature as the internal combustion engine, it’s very rare to achieve a true breakthrough, but that is exactly what the team accomplished with this engine. You have to drive it to believe a small three-cylinder engine can deliver such performance and fuel economy.”
A panel of 87 automotive journalists from 35 countries around the world judged the awards on driveability, performance, economy, refinement and the successful application of advanced engine technology. Ford is one of only three car-makers to record back-to-back victories in the 15-year history of the awards.
Dean Slavnich, Co-Chairman of the 15th International Engine of the Year awards and Editor of Engine Technology International Magazine, said: “Baby EcoBoost – Ford’s first-ever three-cylinder design – is still the engine to beat across the board. It’s economical in real-world conditions while the compact turbo helps ensure that the entire package can power larger vehicles like the Grand C-MAX with ease.”
The EcoBoost has also won the Royal Automobile Club Dewar Trophy for ‘outstanding British technical achievement in the automotive industry’ and Andrew Fraser, Ford’s Gasoline Calibration Manager, was recently awarded the Jim Clark Memorial Award for his work on the engine by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers.
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is currently offered in Ford small and medium cars. It boasts up to 125PS while returning 65.7mpg combined (in Fiesta). The engine is also available in the Ford B-MAX, Focus, C-MAX and Grand C-MAX.
Small enough to fit in the overhead luggage compartment of an aeroplane, the engine delivers best in class petrol fuel economy in Ford Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX and Grand C-MAX.
In the near future it will power larger cars including the new Ford Mondeo and will also be offered in Transit Connect and Transit Courier commercial vehicles and Tourneo Connect and Tourneo Courier people movers.
Ford of Europe plans to triple annual production of vehicles equipped with EcoBoost petrol engines to approximately 480,000 by 2015 and the company expects that more than 300,000 of these will be powered by the 1.0-litre EcoBoost.
In the first quarter of 2013 in Europe, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine accounted for 42 percent of orders in B-MAX, 30% in Focus and 24% in Fiesta across Ford’s traditional European markets.
Further details of NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd’s products and services are available on the website, www.ngkntk.co.uk