Ask any long-time Blue Oval fan, and they’ll tell you – pretty much universally – that one of the greatest engines the automaker has ever produced is the old 300 cubic-inch I-6 that was available in a variety of applications for many years. Truck fans, in particular, loved the fact that this torquey powerplant was capable of towing heavy loads while also proving to be incredibly reliable, and to this day, people still seek out the old Ford I-6 for those very same reasons. Thus, given the fact that many other automakers are suddenly churning out new straight-six engines, one might think that a straight-six Ford EcoBoost engine would make a lot of sense. Unfortunately, sources familiar with the matter have now told Ford Authority that such an idea was once on the table, but it was officially canceled.
The Blue Oval was indeed planning and working on developing a straight-six Ford EcoBoost engine, but it decided to cancel that program several years ago – during the COVID-19 pandemic, in fact. The plan was to base this straight-six off of the existing 1.5L I-3 EcoBoost powerplant that’s currently standard equipment in the Ford Escape and Ford Bronco Sport. It’s unclear what sort of displacement this larger I-6 would have offered buyers, nor what kind of power it was targeted to make, however.
Thus, the Ford EcoBoost family soldiers on with the 2.7L V6 EcoBoost, 3.0L V6 EcoBoost, and 3.5L V6 EcoBoost in terms of six-cylinder engines, all of which feature cylinders that are arranged in a “V” configuration rather than lining up straight. Had FoMoCo decided to move forward with its I-6, it would have been the fourth six-cylinder powerplant in the Ford EcoBoost lineup.
Interestingly, several other automakers have moved forward with plans to launch new straight-six engines, including Mazda with the all-new CX-90 and its turbocharged 3.3L inline-six cylinder engine coupled with a 48-volt hybrid system, as well as Stellantis’ Hurricane I-6 that’s offered in a variety of models – including the forthcoming, refreshed 2025 Ram 1500.
We’ll have more on Ford’s engine lineup soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Teamwork makes the dream work, after all.
It seems as if someone isn't happy about having to return to their office.
Following the end of the federal EV tax credit.
Though it also ranked second in terms of automakers.
The system would automatically charge an EV as needed ahead of scheduled trips.
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I think they should go back to the straight six. It was a great engine.
Straight six is a more balanced, smoother running configuration than a V.
As for turbocharging, it’s old, but reliable technology. Just look at all the semi trucks, busses, and big rigs on the road for decades that are turbocharged.
Only downside to a longer six cylinder engine is that it may mot fit many FWD applications.
I have had numerous 300 i6 engines over the years……it was a good motor, as far as durability ………but it was a total gas hog, and at only 153 hp, it’s just not feasible today……modern v6 engines can get way better gas mileage and more horsepower with smaller displacement and can be used in front wheel drive cars…..no way to do that with the old 300 i6…….
Bring back the 4.9 straight six minus all the extra plumbing. Turbos we’re not meant for everyday city driving. They run extremely hot, cook/boil the oil, (check the colour at your next oil change) and are expensive to repair once they fail. Turbos were designed for race applications not everyday passenger vehicles. It’s unfortunate that Ford is investing so much in these ecoboost engines. If you want an small or medium SUV from Ford or Lincoln they’re all ecoboost. I don’t think Ford even realizes the number of potential customers they are losing. It seems today anyone looking for a new vehicle is only interested in the exterior and interior design features. How many customers actually open the hood and ask the salesperson about that powertrain under the hood. Ford needs to go back to fully naturally aspirated engines that are by far less expensive to produce and manufacture. Hope somebody at Ford HQ actually reads these comments.
J.
Unfortunately, many manufacturers are going to fewer cylinders and a turbo. It's a hard trend to reverse.
I always thought the turbocharger was first intended for aircraft engines, to compensate the loss of power at higher altitudes.
He also seemed to forget all the turbocharger semi trucks that have been criss-crossing the country for decades upon decades.
And who are they losing those customers to? Toyota with its turbo engines? Honda with its turbo engines? GM with its turbo engines?
My dad has a 2013 F-150 EcoBoost, 0 issues in 150k miles thus far.
If you want a return to the good old days, invest in classic cars, or spend your billions on lobbying the government to repeal emissions and fuel mileage requirements. Me, I'm going for the former.
We have bought our last Ford. The EcoBoost 3L engine in our 2018 Focus burned up at 65,000 miles and has been in the shop for a month now and now that the shop has discovered all the class action lawsuits out there, they don't want to fix it for fear THEY will be sued when it does out again! I don't blame them. The dealership never said a word about this lemon engine and I can just hear FMC blaming the shop for causing the problem. We're joining the lawsuits.
Oh, and by the way, when we bought this 2018 Focus, we traded because the Turbocharger went out in the car we had and it cost $2,500 to fix.
I'm from " the land from down under"- Aus'. We had a rad' inline 6cyl' here in Aus' B4 the Ford motor company killed it off. It was the "Barra" motor. It was as good as the motor from the Nissan GTR. You could get a bucket load of power from it. Strong as.
Good luck with that and hopefully you have all documentation of timely maintenance and missed nothing. Don't bother if you don't.
You need to update your knowledge on turbocharged cars. Turbocharged engines make sense because they typically make do with fewer cylinders / smaller displacement which means less internal friction (The reason of the 3 cyl) and less fuel consumption in normal driving.
As for the 80's stories of cooking the oil, with the attendant coking causing self destruction, that's long gone my friend.
First hand experience as opposed to hearsay: My first turbo was a 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage. I put 185,000 miles on it before I sold it. I never touched the turbo, never opened the engine, the car was stone cold reliable, the next owner was super happy to have the opportunity for the next 180,000 miles. My next one was a Saab 900 SE convertible. I put 200,000 miles on that one with the same experience. My next one is a 2008 Saab 93 Sport Wagon. That one required $0.00 in repairs or maintenance beyond oil changes, tires, and battery for the first 12 years / 175,000 miles. It's had the regular stuff with brakes and such since. My daughter still drives it, the odo shows 213,000 miles. Still stone cold reliable. My next one is a 2019 Edge ST with the Twin Turbo Ecoboost V6. Awesome car, $0.00 repairs or issues so far with 57,000 miles . Unreliable racing only tech? Hardly.
Well said. Take care of even a turbo vehicle and shouldn't have any problems.
The 4.9 six was not very efficient and would be a tough fit in most new vehicles. Ecoboost is actually popular with Ford customers and attracting new customers. I bought the reliable 2.0 Ecoboost in my newer Ford and the power and fuel economy is great. Turbos are oil fed and liquid cooled and are perfect for daily drivers. If you change the fluids as recommended there shouldn't be any issues including with the turbo.
No mention of the Bara I-6 from Australia? Weak writing.
Irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.
100%, that donk was unbelievably reliable and with no mods could easily put out 500hp with a tune and turbo. And could be run on standard or premium fuels along with straight LPG. With a few dollars that motor could have still been going and meet any world pollution standards.
Yeah, your not wrong. That Barra motor from Aus' was as strong as the 6cyl' engine from the Nissan GTR. The bean counters from Ford America killed off a bullet proof motor.
This is highly disappointing, was really hoping for a highly competitive next-gen EcoBoost in I-6 form.
They could really do their engine lineup as Chrysler did through the 1920s-1940s, one basic design, in multiple cylinder counts. Kinda the way they were going with T-Drive, just without the 8 cylinder derivative and developed for RWD applications.
I'll bet you're not so disappointed to be compelled buying a 2025 Ram with their I-6 hurricane power planet.
Straight six losing quarters in EV maybe will cancel the insanity?
Cancelled do to lack of input port for electric cord!
If the goal is to maximize torque per gallon of gas burned, a hybrid (small displacement engine, big battery) gets it done better than an I6. My suspicion is that Ford guesses those who appreciate the many virtues of a simple, sturdy, and enjoyable powertrain like an I6 are outnumbered by those who just look at the bottom line numbers. If that's actually true, there's really no reason to develop this sort of motor ever again.
Will Big Ford ever realize that the tried and true straight 6 cylinder engines powered millions of Ford pickups and autos. Just look at Chrysler vehicles from the 50's and into the present vehicles that are still on the road . Even Packard produced taxis with 6 cylinder straight from the 110 Model to the 50's ! The stovebolt 6 cylinder of Chevrolet were very reliable.
As far as inline six....i like to see it only in non ecoboost form...infact wish Ford get rid of Ecoboost..period...to complicated system.....plus do away with direct injection...and make engines more reliable....i pay extra for a simple non turbo engine again....need relaiblity .not horsepower....at least Ford is doing this with the 7.3 pushrod engine in F 250 and up.....hope they do across the board....i read that only way to get Ecoboost in Transit vans next year is only in Ambulance package...mabe Ford is phasing Ecoboost out...to save money with all the recalls..btw i have one in a 2017 Escape 1.5...i wish it had a 3.0 Vulcan....
What lawsuits? Lawsuits are everywhere and proves nothing on Ecoboost. That makes no sense. Ambulances normally run in severe duty and running a supposedly defective 3.5 Ecoboost would be the opposite of what to do if that was true.
Should have looked at the Ford Barra Engine from Australia BulletProof reliability THEY DON'T BREAK can make HUGE horsepower & Torque. Some have made over Two Thousand HP !!!
Yeah! Here here.