Ford’s Go Further event will be held in Amsterdam on April 2, and will see the unveiling of several electrified powertrain solutions. The OEM has announced 48V mild-hybrid Fiesta and Focus EcoBoost Hybrid models, which will be introduced next year.
“Our new Fiesta and Focus EcoBoost Hybrid models are examples of Ford’s commitment to deliver new, more environmentally sustainable vehicles, sophisticated technologies, and valued services for our customers, and we have many more examples to announce in Amsterdam next week and beyond,” said Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and incoming chairman, Ford of Europe.
“We’ve gone to every length to develop mild hybrid powertrains for two of our most popular cars that will help keep cash in customers’ pockets while remaining true to the Ford ‘fun to drive’ philosophy.”
The Fiesta EcoBoost Hybrid and Focus EcoBoost Hybrid will feature a belt-driven integrated starter/generator (BISG), which replaces the standard alternator, enabling recovery and storage of energy usually lost during braking and coasting to charge a 48V Li-ion air-cooled battery pack.
The BISG also acts as a motor, integrating with the three-cylinder 1.0‑liter EcoBoost ICE and using the stored energy to provide torque assistance during normal driving and acceleration, as well as running the vehicle’s electrical ancillaries.
The electric torque assistance helps deliver more responsive performance, particularly at lower engine speeds. The BISG has also enabled Ford engineers to boost the EcoBoost engine’s power with a larger turbocharger, by mitigating turbo-lag.
