Ford Confirms 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost Turbo for F-150, 2.0-liter Turbo for Explorer and Edge

Over the past few months we've heard several rumors regarding the models that will get FoMoCo's EcoBoost turbocharged engines.

Now, the Detroit automaker has officially confirmed that the 2011 F-150 pickup truck will be offered with its 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 upgraded for rear-wheel-drive applications, while a new 2.0-liter inline-four turbo will find its way under the hood of the next next-generation Ford Explorer SUV and Edge CUV.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost unit will be launched along with a smaller displacement 1.6-liter EcoBoost unit, which will be used initially on the European C-Max people mover, by the end of the year.

Ford said that over the next few years, it plans to equip as much as 80 percent of the firm's global nameplates and 90 percent of North American nameplates with EcoBoost.

The company added that by the end of 2012, 98 percent of its North American market vehicles will be equipped with more fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions and that by 2014, as many as 20 percent of its global nameplates will be fitted with stop/start systems.

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James Bond's Ford Edge Hydrogen from "Quantum of Solace"

James "I'll- even-advertise-panties-for-the-right-price" Bond will get behind the wheel of a black 2008 Ford Edge SUV in the new 007 film "Quantum of Solace," which opens this weekend in theaters in the U.S. The four Ford Edge crossovers that will be seen throughout the move will be dressed to look like hydrogen-powered vehicles. But this is a case of 'fiction-meets-reality' as Ford is currently working on the Edge HySeries which promises to be the world's first fuel cell hybrid electric plug-in. According to FoMoCo, the HySeries combines an onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium ion batteries to deliver more than 41 mpg.

"Four Edges dressed up as hydrogen-powered vehicles are part of a fleet that belongs to Greene, and they are integrated naturally into the plot of the movie," said Al Uzielli, senior advisor to Ford Global Brand Entertainment. "When you see the Edge – as when you saw the Mondeo in 'Casino Royale' – there's no question to the relevance or the correctness of the vehicle being in that scene."

Relevant or not, Ford's product placement in 007's new adventure does not end with the Edge Crossover as the firm's European arm will also have an ambassador in the movie, the 2009 Ford Ka mincar that will be driven Bond's new girl Camille played by Olga Kurylenko. (Opening image

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