A
new 1.8 to 2.3-litre four cylinder ‘I4’ engine jointly developed by Ford and
Mazda should eventually find its way into in two million vehicles a year.
Production has already started in the United States and Japanese, Mexican and
Spanish manufacture will begin over the next year.
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In the first of what is expected to be several co-operative projects, Mazda
designed the new engine while Ford carried out development and testing.
By redesigning components and extensively using aluminium, engineers have reduced
the engine’s weight by about 12 percent.
Sharing engines makes economic sense for Ford and its struggling Japanese affiliate.
Ford’s new Mondeo and Mazda’s 626 are both available with 1.8- and
two-litre four cylinder and 2.5-litre V6 petrol engines but each company currently
designs and makes its own.
The new I4 motor will be used in 60 Mazda and Ford cars over the next three
years. It’s already available, in 2.3-litre form, in the U.S.-designed and built
Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series pickups (different from the Mazda-designed, Thailand-built
versions) and will be available in the next-generation 626 (Capella in Japan)
expected in 2002.
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