Ford Zetec engine
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Ford Motor Company used the Zetec name on a variety of Inline-4 cylinder automobile engines. It was originally coined to replace "Zeta" on a range of 1.6 L to 2.0 L multi-valve engines introduced in 1991. The company used the name widely in European advertising, and later introduced it to the North American market with the Contour.
The Zetec name was so recognized that Ford decided to apply it to other high-tech four-cylinder engines. Today, it is used across many engine types in Europe, even though the original Zeta design ended production in 2004. Confusingly, Ford also use the "Zetec" name as a trim level designation in certain markets.
A Formula One engine, produced for Ford by Cosworth, was also badged as a Ford Zetec, although this was technologically entirely unrelated. This engine (a 3.5 litre V8) was used by the Benetton team in 1994, and powered Michael Schumacher to his first World Championship title.
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[edit] Engine reference
The Zetec name has been used on many different engines:
| Name | Family | Displacements | Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zetec/Zetec-E | Zeta | 1.6 L (1598 cc) 1.8 L (1796 cc) 2.0 L (1998 cc) |
1992–1998 | DOHC |
| Zetec-R | Zeta | 1.6 L (1598 cc) 1.8 L (1796 cc) 2.0 L (1989 cc) |
1998–2004 | DOHC |
| Zetec-SE | Sigma | 1.25 L (1242 cc) 1.4 L (1388 cc) 1.6 L (1596 cc) 1.7 L (1679 cc) |
1995–present | DOHC |
| Zetec-Rocam | Sigma | 1.0 L (999 cc) 1.3 L (1297 cc) 1.6 L (1597 cc) |
2000–present | SOHC |
| Zetec TDCi | Duratorq | 1.4 L (1399 cc) 1.6 L (1560 cc) 1.8 L (1753 cc) 2.0 L (1998 cc) 2.2 L (2198 cc) 2.4 L (2402 cc) |
2000–present | Diesel |
[edit] Zeta
The first Zetec-branded engine was the Zeta family, introduced for the 1992 model year powering the fifth generation of the European Ford Escort and third generation Orion. The "Zeta" name was dropped in favour of "Zetec" when Italian car maker Lancia threatened to sue Ford for trademark infringement.
Early versions of the engine had a problem with sticking valves - far more evident in the UK, where a driving style with early upchanges is more common than on the Continent - unless a special Ford formulation of oil was used. After small changes to fix this problem the engine was known as the Zetec-E.
The Zetec had another redesign in 1998, this version is known as the Zetec-R, the main differences being a two-piece crankcase which helped damp out noise and vibration, and conventional tappets with shims rather than hydraulic ones.
The Zetec can be identified by having a silver cam cover with DOHC16v on the bottom left, the Zetec-E has a black cover and ZETEC16v on the bottom left and the Zetec-R has a black plastic cam cover.
Production of the Zeta family lasted from September 1991 through December 2004. Displacement ranged from 1.6 L to 2.0 L. It was replaced in most applications by the Mazda MZR-based Duratec 20, though some Zetec-SE engines were used as replacements on the lower end. Ford Power Products sells the Zeta in 1.8 L and 2.0 L versions as the MVH.
The 2.0L version in the North American Ford Contour was a closely related replacement to the previous 2.3L Ford HSC engine used in the Ford Tempo.
A 2.0 L Crate Zetec has a shipping weight of 370 lb (168 kg).
[edit] Sigma
The advanced Zetec-SE was developed in collaboration of Yamaha and Mazda, under the Sigma codename. It ranges in size from 1.25 L (1249 cc) to 1.7 L (1679 cc). It is very different from the Zeta engine - the intake and exhaust are even on opposite sides.
This engine is sold under the Sigma name in some regions, while Mazda uses the MZI name. It is also sold as a crate engine by Ford Power Products as the ZSG. Rather confusingly, this engine has been renamed "Duratec" for use in the Mk II Ford Focus for Europe, being available in 1.4 L and 1.6 L versions. This incarnation also spawned a 1.6 L derivative with variable valve timing, known by Ford as Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing).
[edit] Kent
In 2000, Ford of Brazil developed an improved version of the Endura-E engine, to compete with the classic Volkswagen AP engines. Basically, the Endura-E received a completely new aluminum head, with much less restrictive intake and exhaust, SOHC and peripheral improvements. Its camshaft is driven by a chain. As a result, this engine exhibits rougher behaviour, producing more vibration and noise. On the other hand, it has a superb torque output thanks to the addition of the Rocam (rollerfinger camshaft) feature.
In 2003, the Zetec-Rocam engine was introduced in Europe, but labeled as Duratec 8v, for the SportKa and StreetKa models. Later a 1.3 L version was also released as an option for the standard model, but the European versions of the engine are produced in the South Africa plant.
In October/2004 a newer bi-fuel version was introduced labeled "1.6 L Flex", capable of running on both petrol and ethanol, even mixed at any proportion. This version also featured "Compound High Turbulence" chambers, as used on the CHT engine.
Versions of this engine in Brazil: 1.0L 65 PS (48 kW) , 1.0L supercharged 95 PS (70 kW) , 1.6L 96 PS (71 kW) , 1.6L flexfuel 105 PS (77 kW) . It's used in/was used in many models, including Ka, Fiesta MK V, South American Fiesta Mk VI, Focus, EcoSport, Ford Courier.
Versions of this engine in Europe: 1.3L 70 PS (51 kW) , 1.6L 95 PS (70 kW)
In Mexico the 1.6L is used in the Ikon, named Fiesta for this market. In South Africa the 1.3L & 1.6L versions are/were used in Fiesta Mk V, Ikon, Bantam. In India the 1.3L & 1.6L versions are/were used in the Ikon. In Russia, the 1.6L version was used in the original Ford Focus.
[edit] Duratec
The Zetec was superseded by the Duratec series of engines, originally called RoFlow Zetec. These are based on the Mazda MZR engines.
[edit] Zetec name as a trim level
In 1998, Ford of Britain applied the Zetec name to a trim level in the Fiesta range, replacing the Si. Petrol variants of the Fiesta LX were also renamed 'Zetec LX,' although this ceased within months.
Since then, the Zetec name has become a key staple of the Ford trim level hierarchy, serving as the sports-styled variant in most ranges. In October 1998, the then-newly launched Focus also used the name; and the Mondeo and Galaxy ranges also adopted the name before the decade was out.
Ford's 'niche' models, such as the Ka and Fusion did not initially adopt the name, although even these models now include Zetec-badged variants.
Nowadays, the Zetec name is used exclusively in a trim level capacity, with no engines called as such. Zetec models are often seen as the staple of Ford's ranges, with Ford often creating 'spin-offs' of Zetec models and running promotions on Zetec models in the range. Every passenger vehicle in the Ford of Britain range - bar the Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet - now includes a Zetec badged model; the same cannot be said of any other trim level.
Such aforementioned 'spin-offs' of the core Zetec model include the Zetec S (Fiesta and the 2000-2007 Mondeo), Zetec S 30th Anniversary Edition (Fiesta), Zetec S Celebration Edition (Fiesta), Zetec Nav (2000-2007 Mondeo), Zetec LX (1995-1999 Fiesta), Zetec Blue (Fiesta) and a key version, the Zetec Climate (Ka, Fiesta, Fusion and the 2005-2008 Focus).
[edit] Sources
- Howard, Geoffry P. "Ford launches Zeta engine family in Europe," Ward's Auto World December 1991.
