Ford Zetec engine
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A 1.6 litre Zetec-R engine mounted in a 1999-model Ford Focus. |
Ford Motor Company used the
Zetec name on a variety of 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.
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.
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 (1299 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 |
Main article: Ford Zeta engine
The first Zetec-branded engine was the
Zeta family, introduced for the
1992 model year powering the fourth generation of the European
Ford Escort and
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 "lazy" 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, the Zetec-E and the Zetec-R have a black 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.
Main article: Ford Sigma engine
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 (1700 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).
In
2000,
Ford of
Brazil developed a cheaper version of the Zetec-SE engine, to compete with the classic
VW AP engines. This
Zetec-Rocam is an 8-valve
SOHC instead of
16-valve DOHC design and the block is made of iron instead of aluminum. Also, the camshaft is driven by a chain instead of a belt. 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. It is also a much smaller engine than the SE version, which allowed it to be installed in the
Ford Ka, replacing the
Endura-E which was considered underpowered and outdated.
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 alcohol, even mixed at any proportion. This version also featured "Compound High Turbulence" chambers, as used on the
CHT engine.
Main article: Ford Duratec engine
The Zetec was superseded by the
Duratec series of engines, originally called
RoFlow Zetec. These are based on the
Mazda MZR engines.
Main article: Ford Duratorq engine
Ford of Europe also uses the Zetec name on many
Diesel-engined cars. These vehicles generally use the Ford/
PSA Duratorq family of engines. These engines range in size from 1.4 L to 2.4 L. The more upscale models usually carry the Zetec name, with little relation to engine output or features. TDCI stands for TURBO DIESEL COMMONRAIL INJECTION.
*Howard, Geoffry P.
"Ford launches Zeta engine family in Europe," Ward's Auto World December,
1991.
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Ford Duratec engine*
Ford Sigma engine*
Ford Zeta engine*
List of Ford engines*
ZX2 Racing*
ZX2 Motorsports*
Team ZX2*
Zetec-S Owners Club*
fiestaturbo.com Zetec Turbo Guide A comprehensive guide on turbocharging the Zetec engine
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zetecinside.com*
UK Fiesta Network - The Busiest Fiesta Club On The Net*
Se7en-Up.co.ukWith details of building a tuned Zetec engine.
*
Ford Auto IN (cz)
*
Zetec Performance (a
Yahoo! Autos Group)With details of stuffing Zetec engine in a VW Vanagon
*
Zetec Vanagon Engine Systems Voodoo
