Downsizing on demand: Ford eyes EcoBoost evolution with cylinder deactivation tech

The trophy cabinet at Ford’s UK technical centre in Dunton must be in danger of giving way any moment now. Since the introduction of the downsized 1-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine in 2012 the company has been picking up silverware at a seemingly exponential rate. So far that includes five consecutive wins in the under 1-litre class of the International Engine of The Year Awards and three outright titles.

Ford was by no means the first manufacturer to employ turbo downsizing, but it is arguably the most successful, and certainly one of the most enthusiastic advocates of the technology. Take the Mondeo 1.0 EcoBoost, for example. This is a 4.9-metre long saloon, which not so long ago could be had with a 3-litre naturally aspirated V6, and yet the current range begins with a third of the capacity and half as many cylinders.

Ford’s not done with the concept of downsizing just yet, though. It’s now turning to cylinder deactivation to selectively disable a third of the engine, turning the 999 cc three-cylinder EcoBoost into a 666 cc twin when conditions allow.