Daimler is interested in the EcoBoost from Ford

The German group has shown that it remains at the forefront of innovation with the presentation of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But that does not stop it from recognising that other manufacturers are also taking the lead in other areas. The head of engine development at Mercedes-Benz, Roland Kemmler, told Automotive News Europe that they recently exchanged information with Ford about its award-winning EcoBoost three-cylinder engine.

The German brand has taken an interest in the engine from the blue oval because it is currently developing a very similar one of its own together with the Renault-Nissan alliance. That is why it wanted to look into the solutions used by Ford in EcoBoost technology to better understand what it will face in the market. Once ready, this engine will power the future generations of the Renault Twingo and Smart Fortwo, which will share several components.

In exchange for revealing a few secrets about EcoBoost to Daimler, Ford has gained access to data on the latest stratified-charge petrol engines running on a lean mixture from Mercedes-Benz. These already comply with the Euro 6 emissions standard that will apply to new vehicles in Europe from September 2014. A four-cylinder version of that range has been debuted in the new E-Class.

Daimler, Ford and the Renault-Nissan alliance also have a collaboration plan underway, announced at the start of this year, to develop vehicles powered by hydrogen. The goal is to have them ready by 2017 and be able to sell them to the mass market, although the problem of refuelling infrastructure for users still remains to be solved.

Source | Automotive News