Ford to apply Start-Stop technology to all models

Ford has announced that besides the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid and some Ford models in Europe, the brand will be expanding its Auto Start-Stop technology to conventional cars, crossovers and SUVs in North America.

Thanks to this fuel-saving technology that automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop, most drivers will have their fuel economy improved by at least 4 percent. Depending on the size and usage of the vehicle the efficiency can rise by 10 percent. The system is also responsible for the reduction of CO2 emissions.

As part of Ford’s objective of introducing advanced fuel-saving technologies in all of its models, Ford’s global Auto Start-Stop system doesn’t need any changes in behavior from drivers. The engine automatically shuts off when the car stops at a stoplight for example and restarts the instant the driver’s foot leaves the brake pedal.

“For the driver, Ford Auto Start-Stop provides extra fuel efficiency without inconvenience, as it works completely automatically,” said Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Powertrain engineering. “And, just like in our hybrid vehicles, the heater and air conditioner work as normal so drivers will not sacrifice comfort.”

In Europe the Auto Start-Stop already features on both gasoline and diesel engines. It comes as standard on the ECOnetic models of the Ford Ka and Mondeo and will now be launched on the new Focus, C-MAX and Grand C-MAX. In North America the fuel-saving system will debut in 2012 and will then expand to all of Ford’s global markets.

A similar system to the Auto Start Stop has already been installed on more than 170,000 gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles sold by Ford since 2004. In 2011 the Escape Hybrid, the Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid will be fitted with the version of Ford’s Auto Start-Stop designed for gasoline-electric powertrains.

The use of direct-injection EcoBoost™ engines has also been a boost for the use of the Auto Start-Stop system. Thanks to the direct-injection system the engine is able to start faster, which will also benefit the Auto Start-Stop system. The system will debut on four-cylinder engines and will gradually be expanded to vehicles with V6 and V8 engines.