Ford's Twin-Fuel 'Bobcat' Engine Could Replace Power Stroke Diesels

[Administrator]

At a recent engineering conference Ford representatives gave a presentation on secret new engine the company is developing. Code named "Bobcat" the new twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 engine is seen more as an alternative truck engine, although as it is similar to Ford's EcoBoost engine, passenger car applications are possible.

The Bobcat engine is a twin-fuel engine, using both conventional gasoline and E85 ethanol. Both fuel systems even have their own tanks and fuel injectors. Here's how it works:

Turbochargers work to compress the air, while conventional port-injection of gasoline is used to get fuel into the cylinders. Then ethanol is sent into the combustion chambers through direct-injection, eliminating knock by cooling the air/fuel mixture. Ethanol is only added under high-load conditions, otherwise the engine operates like a conventional gasoline engine. By injecting ethanol, it also raises the fuel octane rating from 87-91 to 150 - allowing for extremely high compression. As a result, an engine the size of the 5.0-liter one can make 500hp and 750 ft-lbs of torque, while getting 25 to 30 percent better fuel-economy than a conventional gasoline engine.

Ford developed the technology alongside Ethanol Boosting Systems of Cambridge, Mass., which calls its trademarked process DI Octane Boost. The Bobcat engine would be comparable to Ford's 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel, which makes 350hp and 650 ft-lbs of torque, but would cost one third the price to make as no exhaust treatment systems would be necessary.

The system is also 5 to 10 percent more fuel-efficient than Ford’s new EcoBoost engine.

The down-side is that as there are two fuel-tanks, both would need to be filled up separately. No worry says Ford, the 5.0-liter Bobcat V8 would get 528 miles on a 26-gallon tank, while a 10-gallon tank of E85 would last anywhere from 100 miles to 20,000 miles depending on how much heavy-load conditions the truck is driven under. And if no E85 is available, the engine can still run on just gasoline, albeit at reduced power.

The Bobcat engine may just be Ford's answer to recent increase in the fleet fuel-economy rating for light trucks and SUVs, which will go from the current 23.1 mpg to 30 mpg by 2016.

More: Ford's Twin-Fuel 'Bobcat' Engine Could Replace Power Stroke Diesels on AutoGuide.com

[scagmanf350]

Boy I dunno sounds really interesting but I think diesel is still the way to go. I would have to experience it before I could pass any judgment on it. Way cool though.

[BryanH]

I think the person whom wrote " Ford's Twin-Fuel 'Bobcat' Engine Could Replace Power Stroke Diesels" Has never pulled a 14k trailer up a hill.

As far as the "Bobcat" goes, Cool idea. We need companies thinking outside the box.
Way to go ford. Thanks for staying ahead of the game instead of falling behind.

[rdc]

Sounds complex. Fuel pump for gasoline, fuel pump for E85, port injection for gasoline, direct injection for E85, computer to control it all, lots of parts to break, ...

I guess the KISS principle is a fading memory.

[Jarrod B]

theres only one prob with that engine.







it doesnt run on diesel. so it will be fine in a gasser situation, but the diesels need to stay.

[rdc]

Here's one I like ...

Inside Bruce Crower’s Six-Stroke Engine: AutoWeek Magazine

[Jarrod B]

Originally Posted by rdc

Here's one I like ...

Inside Bruce Crower’s Six-Stroke Engine: AutoWeek Magazine

thats a good potential engine. but ford or gm might buy it to keep the competition off.

[orng1]

IDK about trying to fill two tanks. I know I'd always be running out of e85. There really isn't any spots that sell e85 and there are supposed to be a lot in Ca.

[HarleyF250Guy]

I like the concept......but I dont think it could ever FULLY replace the need for a Ford diesel truck. I guess I would just have to drive one and have alot of specs & real world testing before I could say it would REPLACE the Powerstroke.

[BigKid]

Sounds good, BUT, slap that engine in the F150s and SUVs, not the Super Duty. Or let it replace the 5.4 triton in the superdutys.