07/26/2012 (press release: CambridgePRGroup) // Quincy, Mass. // Quirk Ford
Full-size sedans have historically come with V6 and even V8 engines, but in its quest to improve fuel economy, Ford has gone in the other direction, offering the 2013 Ford Taurus with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Capable of returning 32 mpg on the highway, the four-cylinder Taurus model will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class when it arrives at dealers this summer, beating the 2012 Chrysler 300, Chevy Impala, Dodge Charger and Toyota Avalon.
Packing a four-cylinder powerplant into a full-size sedan would normally be a recipe for sluggish performance, but Ford’s EcoBoost engines are built differently than conventional units. While the new available EcoBoost engine in the 2013 Taurus displaces just 2.0 liters, clever use of direct injection and turbocharging technology allows the pint-size powerplant to push out 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
“We’ve been taught that you have to give things up to get better fuel economy, but Ford is proving you can have it all with its EcoBoost engines,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of Quincy, Massachusetts Ford dealership Quirk Ford. “The 2013 Taurus offers the cargo capacity, amenities and power that full-size sedan drivers demand, all without sacrificing fuel-efficiency. That’s a very appealing mix.”
While Ford’s EcoBoost engines are often employed to help drivers save on gas, they’re also making appearances in the automaker’s performance models, where their lightweight design and impressive power delivery can be fully leveraged. The Ford Taurus SHO uses a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 to produce 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, and now Ford is using EcoBoost technology to create a hotter version of the Ford Focus.
The new 2013 Ford Focus ST, which is due to reach dealerships later this year, comes paired with a high-output 252-horsepower version of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine found in the Taurus, Explorer, Edge and Escape. That amount of power, coupled with the Focus’ nimble, lightweight chassis, make for a dynamic combination that compares favorably with the other hot hatch options on the market.
With 270 pound-feet of torque available from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm, the Focus ST can accelerate to 60 mph in a scant 6.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. It also has the added looks to match its pumped-up performance, featuring a large one-piece black grille, center-mounted dual exhaust, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and a functional roof spoiler.
“Ford has packed a lot of performance into a cool package with the Focus ST,” added Quirk. “The icing on the cake is that, even with that much power on tap, the Focus ST gets 32 mpg on the highway, better than the Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si and MazdaSpeed3.”
About Quirk Ford:
Quirk Ford, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is one of the leading Ford dealers by sales volume in New England and a multi-time winner of The President’s Award for customer satisfaction. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and F-150 models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery in Quincy, Massachusetts.
