Ford to offer new 5-cylinder 3.2L diesel in Transit van in North America next year

Ford’s all-new 2014 Transit full-size van, which goes on sale late next year, will be offered with a new 3.2-liter Power Stroke five-cylinder diesel. The new diesel engine, Ford’s second in North America, has already been applied in the global Ford Ranger truck sold in world markets (3.2 Duratorq TDCi 200). The new Power Stroke Diesel will be the only five-cylinder diesel engine available in a commercial van in North America.

While power has not been certified for North America, the new diesel engine is rated in Europe at 197 hp (147 kW) and 347 lb-ft (470 N·m) of torque.

Like the larger 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 offered in Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks, the fuel system has been tailored and calibrated for combustion efficiency. The 3.2-liter turbo diesel features piezoelectric fuel injectors fed through a common rail fuel system with maximum fuel pressure of 1,800 bar (26,100 psi).

Precise injection timing and calibration also ensures a smooth combustion process to reduce hard diesel combustion clatter, resulting in lower noise levels that are more like a gasoline engine. Each injector nozzle has eight spray holes and can deliver up to five injections per combustion cycle. A pilot injection controls noise levels and a main injection is used for power generation.

Features of the new Power Stroke 3.2-liter include:

• Quick-start glow plugs that enable smooth startups at temperatures down to 25 °F (-4 °C);
• Durable, rigid sand-cast gray iron cylinder block;
• Aluminum cylinder heads with double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder;
• Advanced common rail piezoelectric fuel injectors that deliver multiple injections per stroke to improve performance and reduce NVH;
• Variable nozzle turbocharger with electronic actuation; maximum impeller speed of 197,800 rpm;
• First application of selective catalytic reduction for reduced nitrogen oxide emissions in a Ford van;
• Integrated diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter to save space;
• Expected to be B20 biodiesel compatible.

Additionally, the engine features cast-aluminum, low-friction coated pistons with piston-cooling jets, which squirt oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions. Also included is a water-cooled high-performance electric-controlled exhaust gas recirculation valve that is better able to withstand coolant pressure drops.

The 3.2-liter Power Stroke is one of several engines that will be available for Transit in North America, including the 3.5-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine. All engines are mated to a Ford 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission.

The Power Stroke 3.2-liter is manufactured in Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It will be exported to Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo., which received a $1.1 billion investment for the Transit.

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