Ford Performance announced its one-of-a-kind ‘EcoBeast’ inline-4 engine for the Mustang and Focus RS with over 500 hp, aimed at track enthusiasts.
Yes, you heard that right! Muscle car fans like you and me simply couldn’t associate a standard turbocharged i4 in place of a gas-guzzling V8 on a rumbly muscle car. This is no ordinary engine, though. In today’s market, the not-so-well-off enthusiasts passionate about the Mustang community opt for the base model 2.3-l EcoBoost turbocharged i4 in place of a 5.0-liter V8 due to the ever-rising costs of commodities. The EcoBoost engine in the Mustang and RS provides a respectable 310 hp, still offering more power than the V8 predecessor.
Ford Performance brought out a similar 2.3-liter EcoBeast i4 that is tuned to a gargantuan degree for those belonging to the JC speed and power crew. The division claims an outlandish 500 hp and 416 lb-ft of torque — impressive for an inline-4 engine. These figures are 84 hp and 45 lb-ft higher than the Mercedes AMG M139 engine. Before the Ford, Merc’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was the world’s most powerful i4 with 416 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque in its S-trim.
So, what entails these monumental figures from a relatively compact powerplant? For starters, the Performance division used the same EcoBoost engine block from the Focus. However, Ford upgraded the EcoBeast with a lighter (by 9 lbs), forged, and cryogenically stress-relieved Callies crankshaft paired with Mahle 2618 forged pistons designed for race use. The components are hooked via Compstar H-pattern con-rods with ARP2000 bolts, giving it an overall compression ratio of 9.5:1. The entire package has been reinforced with a deck cooling jacket to handle the additional stresses from increased power numbers (Donut media fans ;)).
The EcoBeast crate engine comes standard with a complete kit comprising a chain drive, oil pump, oil filter, damper with a keyway, damper bolts, and a head gasket. Moreover, Ford Performance bolted on the Mustang EcoBoost motor mount bosses to the crate engine, although you can remove them if you own a Focus RS.
The EcoBeast DIY kit is compatible with all Mustangs from 2015 to the latest version, while the swap only works on the 2016-2018 Focus models. Customers can purchase the whole set-up for $6,485 — not too bad for a significant uptick in performance using Ford-approved components.
PS: There’s also a disclaimer about operating the engine only on race tracks or official time trial events. But how could you resist all that sweet power?
