Engine Power Over The Years

[Fafnir]

When at work I had a company car - 1997 Mondeo Estate with a 2.6 petrol engine. Since retiring I've had a Focus with a 1.6 petrol engine. I miss my Mondeo so I am considering the new one due out soon but the largest petrol engine I think is a 1.6 litre engine. On the face of it that will be grossly underpowered compared to my works Mondeo with the 2.6 engine.

However I know engines have developed considerably since I had that car.

My question is - will the 2015 Mondeo with a 1.6 litre petrol engine come anywhere near the power of the 1997 2.6 litre engine (or 2.0 litre engine or what)? Have engines come that far?

A more general question would be to ask how engine size and power correlate over the years.

[Goodkat]

With technology evolving at a considerable rate these days, in a push for smaller capacity engines with high power, I reckon a 1.6 litre 2015 Mondeo will be sufficiently powered. Considering there are 1.0 Focii that have as much poke as my 1.8 I would look and see what the 1.6 promises, and maybe test drive when it becomes available. But go in with an open mind, you may be pleasantly surprised!

[troy45]

Just remember at the same time that power outputs have crept upwards so has the weight of cars ;)

[Fafnir]

The thing to compare would be the power to weight ratio but I can't find the stats for the old Mondeo anywhere.

Anyway, has the weight crept up? I learnt to drive in an Austin 16 complete with crash gearbox. That was built like a tank. I have no idea if I am correct or not but I assumed that modern cars must use a lot of carbon composites and thinner but stronger alloys and therefore be lighter that those built 10 - 15 years ago, That would help keep the power to weight ratio much the same with smaller engines.

And I have booked a test drive with my local garage when they get their test vehicle but the trouble is that it will be a 2.0 diesel.

Thanks for your comments.

[Goodkat]

Which Mondeo did you have? I thought the largest engine in 97 was the 2.5 V6

[Fafnir]

Apologies - it was the 2.5 V6. Thirsty brute but I missed it when I retired!

[troy45]

The thing to compare would be the power to weight ratio but I can't find the stats for the old Mondeo anywhere.

Anyway, has the weight crept up? I learnt to drive in an Austin 16 complete with crash gearbox. That was built like a tank. I have no idea if I am correct or not but I assumed that modern cars must use a lot of carbon composites and thinner but stronger alloys and therefore be lighter that those built 10 - 15 years ago, That would help keep the power to weight ratio much the same with smaller engines.

If you look at the size of say a Fiesta 10-15 years old and compare it to today's version it wouldn't surprise me if that now weighs as much as an Escort did. The general size of models has crept up. Plus you're looking at a lot more in the way of crash structures, electrical toys, wiring, aircon compressors, airbags and the like.

Modern cars don't use that much yet in the way of carbon composites and alloys will be mainly used for engine/gearbox though also seeing plastics used for more body panels, fuel tanks and some are using alloys now for suspension wishbones and knuckles. Ferrari's and Porsches might be full of carbon fibre and special alloys but in a lot of mass produced high volume models the only place you'll see carbon is the veneer on the dash.

[Phil 87]

I assume the 1.6 engine in the new Mondeo will be the same Ecoboost engine found in the Fiesta ST and the Focus? If so there's no need to worry about lack of power with 200PS.

To put this in perspective on our drive up in the Yorkshire Dales this weekend we had a Clio 3.0 V6 with us, and I was more than keeping up with him. I would think a new Mondeo with the 1.6 could be a fair bit faster than the old 2.5, if the car isn't too heavy.

[Fafnir]

Thanks Phil - while the other comments have been helpful, yours was the basic answer I was after - how a 1997 2.5 L Mondeo compares with a 2015 1.6 L one. Maybe I overly complicated the question!

I'm not after a particularly fast car - I am not and never was a boy racer. Come to think of it, it was an awful long time ago that I was a boy! However I do want to have the power to get out of difficulties caused by others (and myself).

[Phil 87]

I found some more info here: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/91004/new-ford-mondeo-2015-prices-and-specs

From that page: "The 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine will produce 158bhp". I don't why they aren't using the 1.6, can anyone confirm if this is true? It might not be too bad though, if that power figure is without overboost then it could really produce something like 175bhp temporarily. But there is a 2.0L diesel which will be faster and more economical.

[Fafnir]

What about the hybrid?

"The Mondeo Hybrid will use a 2.0-litre petrol engine and two electric motors – one to drive the wheels and another to recharge the battery. The lithium-ion batteries are anticipated to last for 10 years or 150,000 miles".

That seems a bit strange - using an electric motor to charge the batteries! What does the petrol engine do? However as I won't be clocking up the mileage I used to that may be a good option for relatively short journeys. I should be more economical. Don't know why, but I am not keen on diesel!

[Phil 87]

It would be interesting to see how the hybrid performs, but I bet it will be way too expensive to be worth considering. It's one of those things where the owners will say "look at me I'm saving £30 a month on fuel", but their car cost an extra £5k over a diesel so they're losing money in the long run. And then the batteries will need replacing...

[Fafnir]

The argument re battery replacement cost has always been my doubt about hybrids. but apparently the batteries will last 10 years or 150K miles. But there is also the extra initial cost as you say.

[FOCA]

When at work I had a company car - 1997 Mondeo Estate with a 2.6 petrol engine. Since retiring I've had a Focus with a 1.6 petrol engine. I miss my Mondeo so I am considering the new one due out soon but the largest petrol engine I think is a 1.6 litre engine. On the face of it that will be grossly underpowered compared to my works Mondeo with the 2.6 engine.

However I know engines have developed considerably since I had that car.

My question is - will the 2015 Mondeo with a 1.6 litre petrol engine come anywhere near the power of the 1997 2.6 litre engine (or 2.0 litre engine or what)? Have engines come that far?

A more general question would be to ask how engine size and power correlate over the years.

There is no 1.6L petrol engine in the lineup - there is a 1.5L petrol, and a 1.6L diesel -

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/91004/new-ford-mondeo-2015-prices-and-specs

the 1.5L is an ecoboost with 158Hp so is only slightly less powerful than your old 2.5L

[FOCA]

What about the hybrid?

"The Mondeo Hybrid will use a 2.0-litre petrol engine and two electric motors – one to drive the wheels and another to recharge the battery. The lithium-ion batteries are anticipated to last for 10 years or 150,000 miles".

That seems a bit strange - using an electric motor to charge the batteries! What does the petrol engine do? However as I won't be clocking up the mileage I used to that may be a good option for relatively short journeys. I should be more economical. Don't know why, but I am not keen on diesel!

The electric motor turns electrical power into magnetic/ mechanical (turning) power, it can work in reverse, changing the turning power into magnetic then electrical power to charge the batteries (acting as a generator/ alternator, but usually more powerful) this is controlled by an ECU, normally when slowing down, on the over, run, coasting or going downhill, it is often known as regenerative braking

The petrol engine works like any normal car, but it works in conjunction with the electric engine (motor) often, the electric motor runs at lower speeds and as a certain speed is reached or if you accelerate hard the petrol engine starts automatically and then engages

On some high performance cars, the electric motor suppliments the petrol engine, eliminating turbo lag or loss of acceleration when changing gear - like an F1 car. The elecric motor can produce a lot of torque at very low revs and over a wide speed range, so often, unlike an internal combustion engine, a gearbox is not nesessary and these cars can have incredible acceleration/ response

[Phil 87]

if you accelerate hard the petrol engine starts automatically and then engages

It would be interesting to know how this works, does it just use a starter motor, which would be very unresponsive if you want a sudden burst of speed to overtake for example. Or could they design it to jump start the engine when the car is already moving?