DETRIOT, MI – While the new Lincoln MKR concept marks an all-new design strategy for the brand, the TwinForce engine under the hood hints at new engine technologies to future Ford North American vehicles. Based on the company’s existing Duratec 35 all-aluminum production V-6, TwinForce adds two turbochargers and direct injection to deliver increased power while maintaining excellent fuel economy.

In addition, TwinForce produces 400 pound-feet of torque. Ford claims that it would take a V-8 with at least six liters of displacement to match those performance levels. Plus, the smaller V-6 achieves 15 percent better fuel economy than a V-8 with similar power. Compared to a conventional port-fuel injection system, TwinForce’s direct-injection fuel system more precisely controls how much and when gasoline is injected directly into the engine’s cylinders. This allows for more efficient burn and improved combustion control that provide optimal performance and fuel economy.

The twin turbochargers increase the amount of air entering the cylinders, resulting in more power.

“Under normal driving, the engine consumes fuel like a V-6, but when you need extra power, it makes the muscle of a V-8,” explained Brett Hinds, Ford advanced engine design and development manager.

The Duratec 35 was engineered to accommodate direction injection and turbocharging technologies, which helped speed development of TwinForce. The program also benefited from Volvo’s turbocharging expertise and Ford of Europe’s experience with direct injection systems.

Ford said TwinForce technology will appear on future Lincoln and Ford vehicles but has yet to announce timing. The company already has several direct-injection four-cylinder engines on the market, including the 1.8L in the Ford Mondeo and, from partner Mazda, the 2.3L turbocharged engine that powers the Mazdaspeed6.