Lincoln MKC gets 2.3-litre EcoBoost for 2015 model year
Lincoln has confirmed its new compact SUV will offer a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, delivering 275hp and 300lb ft, as production begins in mid-2014.
Lincoln’s new MKC compact SUV will launch with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 300lb ft of torque according to the company’s preliminary figures. The new engine, which Lincoln claims offers best-in-class output per litre, is set to arrive as production of the MKC begins at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant in the second quarter of 2014. Deliveries to dealerships are expected to follow in the summer.
The 2.3-litre EcoBoost is the latest in Ford’s turbocharged petrol engine family, and it brings a number of technical changes over the smaller 2.0-litre unit. The engine features a three-port integrated exhaust manifold cylinder head and a twin-scroll turbocharger, which Lincoln engineers say help improve airflow and optimise the exhaust pulses driving the turbo. The result is higher power and torque, with a focus on both performance and refinement.
Technical highlights of the 2.3 EcoBoost
- Three-port integrated exhaust manifold (IEM) for improved airflow
- Twin-scroll turbocharger for enhanced response and efficiency
- Turbocharged four-cylinder layout
- Targeted for best-in-class horsepower and torque per litre
Lincoln positions the MKC as a challenger in the small premium utility sector, where rivals often rely on six-cylinder engines for higher output. By offering the 2.3-litre EcoBoost, Lincoln expects to match or exceed the performance of competitors’ larger engines while maintaining the efficiency advantages of a smaller displacement turbo unit.
The new engine will sit above the 2.0-litre EcoBoost already available in various Ford and Lincoln models. The 2.3-litre unit is expected to appeal to buyers seeking more performance without stepping up to a V6, and it further extends Ford’s strategy of downsizing engines while maintaining output through turbocharging and direct injection. The same approach can be seen elsewhere in the group’s line-up, such as the EcoBoost-powered Ford Mustang for Europe (see Ford Confirms EcoBoost Mustang for Europe in 2015).
Production and market timing
Production of the 2015 Lincoln MKC is scheduled to start at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky during the second quarter of 2014. Lincoln expects the first examples to reach dealerships in the summer. The MKC will be the first vehicle in the Lincoln range to receive the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, with further applications likely across the group’s portfolio in future years.
The addition of the 2.3-litre EcoBoost marks Lincoln’s attempt to differentiate the MKC in a crowded segment, offering a balance of performance and efficiency that targets buyers looking for more than the standard four-cylinder options. The engine’s technical features, including the three-port manifold and twin-scroll turbo, underline Ford’s ongoing investment in petrol turbo technology across its brands.
