Things Change: Ford Scraps Bi-Turbo Ecodiesel Engine for U.S. Ford Transit

It's been an unusual year all around, what with the global pandemic and a variety of other upheavals. When things get challenging, it's nice to have other things to look forward to, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

For some, what gets them jazzed about auto shows is watching the future get unveiled. New styles, new technologies, and even new engine designs. Last year Ford announced that it would be offering its 2.0L EcoBlue Bi-Turbo diesel engine in the U.S. market late this year. It was to be a big development for its Ford Transit cargo vans. 

According to a story at Ford Authority, this new development has been scrapped. It's simply not to be.

Personally, I liked the idea of Blue Flame diesel oil in an EcoBlue Bi-Turbo diesel engine. I was thinking of the visual harmonics generated by the blue oil and cool blue power plant.  

Ford spokesperson Elizabeth Kraft specifically cited the coronavirus as culprit in the delays that kept Ford from achieving its introduction deadlines. Once the delays became extensive, Ford execs decided there was insufficient market demand to complete the project. 

For what its worth, this is the same engine used in the Ford Ranger Raptor, and European Transit. 

The gasoline-powered Transits will have various conversion options. They will be assembled in Ford's Kansas City plant in Claycomo, Missouri. You can see photos and read more details here.

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Looking for a Truck? Visit PickupTrucks.com

About two decades ago I was looking at stats with regard to truck ownership and a stat caught my eye. I will phrase it here in the form of a question. Which state has the most pickup trucks per capita? To put it another way, in which state will you find that 50% of all drivers own pickups?

You can find this fighter and more at PickupTrucks.com

I'm sure that there are states with more pickups because most states have more people, but Wyoming is truly pickup country.

I remember my first trip from the Black Hills to Devil's Tower. There's a little tavern about halfway there in which the only means of transportation that I saw were horses and pickups. You gotta love those red, red hills of Wyoming.

All this popped into my head when I saw this 2021 Jeep Gladiator Diesel at PickupTrucks.com. It's a 3.0-liter V-6, ruby red and coming soon. I'm sure it will be right at home in Wyoming, Utah, Montana, and anywhere else you want something durable. Who doesn't love the name? Gladiator!

The Fiat Chrysler EcoDiesel engine has already been broken in a little. By this I don't mean it's a used engine. I mean that this 260-horsepower power plant has been used in the Wrangler SUV and I'm guessing that if there were any kinks to work out, they have been worked out. 442 pounds-feet of torque is something to boast about, and it will be available soon.

You can read Joe Bruzek's full review here.

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Are there diesel events you want our readers to know about? 

Drop me a line: BlueFlame1952 AT gmail.com