Hi GoNavy:

___The 2.3 is more then likely the ICE of choice as that is what some of the Engineers alluded too at Dearborn but they have the 2.0e ready to go as well. From the Focus specs as this is where the Ranger/Escape I4 based ICE comes from, it looks like a different head config is the only difference …

2.0e / 2.3

Bore/Stroke
3.44” x 3.27” / 3.44” x 3.70”

HP
130 / 151

FE w/ sticks
26/34 / 22/31 <-- This is Ford/Mazda’s Achilles heel in regards to I4’s as well as V6’s!

___Even after Atkinsonization, an ~ 10% less displacement gives you ~10% increase in FE. A lighter weight Ford Fusion with the Atkinsonized 2.0e and hybridized eCVT (vs. the Escape HEV) should easily outperform the std. Fusion w/ its I4 in the same. It is that ~ 10% increase in FE from the ICE which might make the difference between an also ran and top of the FE heap in the mid-sized sedan Hybrid category given the soon to be released Camry’s Atkinsonized 2.4 w/ HSD usage.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes