The new unit – the fifth in the EcoBoost line-up – will EcoBoost turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing and has been designed to be even more fuel-efficient and offer high levels of engine refinement, quietness and performance.

The new engine will be first introduced in China in the all-new Ford Mondeo, making its public debut later this month at the Auto Shanghai Show 2013, with applications following in the Fusion sedan in North America this year, and later the new Mondeo in Europe.

Ford has also boosted capacity of EcoBoost production to 1.6 million units annually. By the end of 2013 six plants across Europe, Asia and North America will be producing EcoBoost engines, triple the number that were doing so in 2010.

The carmaker added that the unit will play a strategic role in sales in countries where tax savings are available on units that offer 1.5-litre capacity or less.

‘Ford EcoBoost technology has changed the way people look at petrol engines and has enjoyed huge success with customers,’ said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Powertrain Engineering, Ford Motor Company. ‘The new 1.5-litre unit further extends our EcoBoost promise of economical motoring in terms of both fuel efficiency and, in some markets, tax-savings.’

Ford has sold more than 600,000 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles globally since the range was launched with the 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost in 2009.

By the end of this year, nearly 80% of the company's global models will be available with fuel-saving EcoBoost technology.