(November 13, 2013) The all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC small premium utility, unveiled today, adds a key new option to The Lincoln Motor Company lineup of premium vehicles, an available all-new engine — a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant.

“Core to the Lincoln reinvention is creating new vehicles that are unique not only to the brand, but also to the premium automotive market,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president of Ford Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln. “The 2.3-liter EcoBoost helps us achieve that in the all-new 2015 MKC by setting a new standard in the balance of performance and efficiency.”

The 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder offers best-in-class performance even when measured against competitors’ six-cylinder engines. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost offers projected best-in-class horsepower per liter and best-in-class torque per liter, generating 275 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm, according to preliminary test data.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost, standard on MKC, generates 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm, according to preliminary test data.

The 2.3-liter EcoBoost was specifically engineered for higher performance. Two factors pivotal to the success of the newest entry in the benchmark EcoBoost engine lineup are a three-port integrated exhaust manifold cylinder head and a twin-scroll turbocharger.

“The three-port IEM design is the key driver for performance because it improves airflow and optimizes exhaust energy pulses through the turbocharger,” said Pete Pandolfi, 2.3-liter Engine Supervisor for Lincoln. “The three-port IEM and twin-scroll turbo design really opened us up to have outstanding power and refinement.”

The exhaust flows from the inner and outer pairs of cylinders are kept separate as they go through the three ports into the two scrolls of the turbocharger. Separating the exhaust pulses until they hit the turbine wheel minimizes the backflow into the next cylinder that fires, preserving energy to help spin up the turbo.

Turbo lag is virtually eliminated for quicker response when the driver needs power for passing while enabling the exhaust valve to stay open longer for lower emissions and up to 15 percent better fuel economy than comparable six-cylinder engines.

Production of the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC will begin in the second quarter of 2014 at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Ky. Vehicles will begin arriving to Lincoln dealerships next summer.