Ford builds sweet 1.0-liter EcoBoost-powered Formula Ford [w/video]

Ford has announced a new version of its spec racer that pushes the bounds of what small-displacement, turbocharged engines can do. Formula Ford, as the name suggests, is a single-seat, open wheel race car powered by a (you guessed it) Ford powerplant. As the cars are made of lightweight materials, the usual Formula Ford engine is a 1.6-liter mill, but this particular racer has been fitted with the 2012 International Engine of the Year, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost inline-three.

This particular Formula Ford has also been converted to road use and has been testing on Germany's famed Nrburgring. There, it recorded the 11th-fastest lap ever at the 'Ring. At 7 minutes, 22 seconds, it was faster around the famed German track than the Ferrari Enzo, Lamborghini Aventador and Pagani Zonda.

This particular 1.0-liter engine has been tuned to put out 202 horsepower, making this feat of beating the aforementioned supercars around the 'Ring even more impressive. The Formula Ford EcoBoost also has an unofficial top speed of 158.8 miles per hour, can get from zero to 60 mph in less then four seconds and can achieve 118 miles per gallon... at 35 mph.

Check out the press release and video below to learn more about this exciting vehicle and the other Ford models in which this powerplant may soon find itself.