Euro-market Ford Ecoblue Hybrid

[German_1er_diesel]

Europe now gets the Kuga (Escape) in a reasonably-priced Ecoblue Hybrid version.
https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/fahrbericht/ford-kuga-diesel-mildhybrid/
This first drive review is very positive about the drivetrain: Clatter-free diesel power, noticeable hybrid boost, slick 6-speed manual.
(There's no automatic for the Ecoblue hybrid)

 

[tikal]

Europe now gets the Kuga (Escape) in a reasonably-priced Ecoblue Hybrid version.
https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/fahrbericht/ford-kuga-diesel-mildhybrid/
This first drive review is very positive about the drivetrain: Clatter-free diesel power, noticeable hybrid boost, slick 6-speed manual.
(There's no automatic for the Ecoblue hybrid)

Thanks for the link. It would be interesting to know if Ford would tailor this kind of engine technology on the Transit Connect (or how is called in Europe) and what kind of average fuel economy would give.

 

[German_1er_diesel]

Thanks for the link. It would be interesting to know if Ford would tailor this kind of engine technology on the Transit Connect (or how is called in Europe) and what kind of average fuel economy would give.

The first model to get an Ecoblue Hybrid was the Transit Custom/Tourneo Custom (which is sized larger than the Transit Connect but smaller than the full size Transit) then the full size Transit. For both, only manual transmission versions get the Ecoblue Hybrid, opting for the automatic removes the hybrid system.
The Connect does not have it yet. Maybe with the next refresh. The diesel in the Connect is the 1.5 Ecoblue, not the 2.0 all Ecoblue hybrids get.
Ford has launched a similar Ecoboost hybrid system in the Puma subcompact CUV, which is also only in manual versions.

 

[tikal]

The first model to get an Ecoblue Hybrid was the Transit Custom/Tourneo Custom (which is sized larger than the Transit Connect but smaller than the full size Transit) then the full size Transit. For both, only manual transmission versions get the Ecoblue Hybrid, opting for the automatic removes the hybrid system.
The Connect does not have it yet. Maybe with the next refresh. The diesel in the Connect is the 1.5 Ecoblue, not the 2.0 all Ecoblue hybrids get.
Ford has launched a similar Ecoboost hybrid system in the Puma subcompact CUV, which is also only in manual versions.

Thanks for the additional information. Interesting that having the diesel hybrid it does not allow for the automatic transmission. Of course here we are talking a 'mild hybrid' rather than a 'full diesel-electric' hybrid.

 

[German_1er_diesel]

Thanks for the additional information. Interesting that having the diesel hybrid it does not allow for the automatic transmission. Of course here we are talking a 'mild hybrid' rather than a 'full diesel-electric' hybrid.

Priorities... Apparently Ford expects the majority of Ford customers to prefer manuals.
Hyundai does their diesel mild hybrids either way. (manual/automatic) but started with manual only.
BMW just mild-hybridized the 520d and 320d and killed the automatic 320d in the process. The 6-cylinder diesels are getting mild hybrid tech next.
Audi has mild-hybrids with the DCT and ZF 8-speed only. Suzuki has manual-only gas hybrids. Renault has manual-only diesel hybrids. Mercedes has a bunch of plug-in diesel hybrids. Volvo has mild hybrid diesels with the automatic only.

 

[German_1er_diesel]

The interesting thing is how low they can price this mild hybrid diesel.
Here's the German Kuga price list (all prices include 19% VAT, divide by 1.19 to get pree-VAT prices. Ford dealers also take the MSRP as suggestions and sell at significantly lower prices)
1.5 gas engine manual transmission Titanium: 31,900€ incl VAT -> 26,807€ before VAT
2.0 diesel hybrid manual transmission Titanium: 34,400€ incl. VAT -> 28,908€ before VAT
2.5 gas PHEV: 39,300€ incl. VAT -> 33,025€ before VAT

...you do the math for all the other versions.

 

[tikal]

For example on the Kuga, how much better fuel economy you get (on the average) with the diesel hybrid vs just plain diesel?

Ok, I understand there is probably not a lot of real world FE with the Ford 2.0 diesel hybrid.

 

[German_1er_diesel]

For example on the Kuga, how much better fuel economy you get (on the average) with the diesel hybrid vs just plain diesel?

Ok, I understand there is probably not a lot of real world FE with the Ford 2.0 diesel hybrid.

Hard to tell without either a full review or a comparable non-hybrid model in the lineup. There's no 150-horspower 2.0 diesel without the hybrid system. the other diesels are 1.5 diese/FWD/120hp with either manual or the 8-speed auto, and there's a 190hp version of the 2.0 diesel, but that one comes with AWD/automatic only.
In the official rating, the Kuga 1.5 diesel manual uses 4.2-4.3 l/100km, the 2.0 diesel hybrid 4.3-4.4 l/100km and the 190hp auto AWD diesel 4.8-5.0.
For perspective: My wife drives a Grand C-Max with the previous generation of Ford 2.0 diesel and a DCT, and averages 7.8 l/100km... I guess a new version with SCR would be more efficient, but we have to wait for more data.