Ford bringing back 3-cylinder engines (link)

[larrydag]

Apparently via the Ford technical center in the U.K. They claim Ford will be putting them in the Fiesta.

50 mpg? Ford bringing three-cylinder engines to U.S. - Drive On: A conversation about the cars and trucks we drive - USATODAY.com

[Frank Lee]

Awesome!!!

Since GM was so stupid in failing to promote, then intentionally dropping what could have been "the answer" to North America's commuting question (Metro/Firefly) they deserve to have a strong competitor pick up where they left off and slap them upside the head with it.

[tjts1]

LOL not for me.

[Brillig]

I'll take one thank you.
Wonder if they'll consider this mated to a hybrid drive.

[Frank Lee]

Why muck it up with hybrid? The whole idea is that lightness, simplicity, and a pretty much right-sized engine do practically as well as hybrid without all the complexity and expense.

[robchalmers]

GM already have a have decent 1.0 litre 3-potter here in euro that meets euro 5 (about as strict as LEVII)....

Glad to see ford joining the 3bang crowd

[Brillig]

Truth.
I got excited at the thought of a 'store bought' 1 liter diesel, in a streamlined body, made with 2011 technology, and not rusted out (Geo <cough> Metro <cough>) - my current yard statuary/project.
Actually, farm yard statuary, but you get the idea.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Why muck it up with hybrid? The whole idea is that lightness, simplicity, and a pretty much right-sized engine do practically as well as hybrid without all the complexity and expense.

Honda Insight. 1.0L 3-cyl hybrid, 70+ mpg.

So Ford's only a decade or so behind the curve.

[Frank Lee]

Average U.S. miles/vehicle/year = 12,000m/year
@70mpg = 171 gallons; @50mpg = 240 gallons
= 69 gallons more; @ $3.79/g
= $262/yr more
= $21.84/month more
= <$0.73/day more for gas BUT...
how much less will purchase price be?
And will it get more than 50 mpg?
And how much is the benefit of not having a battery bank worth?
And how much is having 4 seats/or that cargo capacity worth?

I agree that Ford is a couple decades behind the curve. They had lots and lots of time to compete with Sprint and Metro.

[morphector]

The only problem I've got is this car will be expensive, it'll surely be a premium over the standart one.

The metro and swift were probably the cheapest car you could get on the road.

I would prefer that toyota bring the aygo in north america tough...

But still congrats to ford on bringing cool stuff to north america!