Ford’s internationally acclaimed 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has earned another major accolade - the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Award for Automotive Innovation 2013.

Other nominees for the award, which highlights advanced R&D and innovation in the UK automotive industry, included the new McLaren P1 supercar.
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, International Engine of the Year in 2012 and 2013, is no bigger than a sheet of A4 paper, but delivers 125PS, and, in a Ford Fiesta, achieves 65.7mpg and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. It was designed at Ford’s research and development centres in Dunton and Dagenham in the UK.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive and one of the Award judges, said: “The UK is a hotbed for global automotive engineering talent, a fact proved by the winning Ford entry being designed and developed at its UK R&D centres. "The outstanding calibre of the entrants to this year’s Award is testament to the wealth of design and engineering talent here in the UK. SMMT is working hard with its members and government to ensure the UK maintains and develops its position at the forefront of automotive innovation.” Ford’s Director of Global Vehicle Evaluation and Verification, Graham Hoare, said: “I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of the 1,000-plus highly-skilled Ford powertrain engineers involved in the 1.0-litre EcoBoost programme. In 2007, the engineering teams at Dunton and Dagenham took on the challenge to produce a cutting-edge three-cylinder petrol engine – exciting, durable and efficient enough for both cars and commercial vehicles.  Six years on, and with over 300,000 global sales, two back-to-back International Engine of the Year titles, and now this major Innovation award, we couldn’t be more proud.”

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is currently available in the Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford B-MAX, and Ford C-MAX, Ford Tourneo Connect and Ford Transit Connect models, and will also feature in both the forthcoming Ford EcoSport SUV and the next generation Ford Mondeo. It also powers the  FF1 Formula Ford-based road car, which registered the 11th fastest time ever on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit – a performance that put it ahead of a host of supercars including the 600+ horsepower Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari Enzo and Pagani Zonda.. The Award judging panel featured industry and engineering leaders, including: Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT; Dave Salt, Chief Engineer at GKN Driveline; Robert Lea, Industrial Editor, The Times; Jim Higginbotham, Managing Director, Large Corporate and Special Asset Finance, Lombard; and John Laughlin, Programme Manager – Low Carbon Vehicles, Technology Strategy Board.