The Most Powerful EcoBoost Four-Cylinder Engine Isn’t In A Ford

Ford has been utilizing its EcoBoost nameplate on four-cylinder engines since 2010, the American giant introducing several different variants over the last decade, ranging in size from 1.5 liters to 2.3 liters. The vast majority of the cars they feature in tend to reduce your heart rate rather than quicken it, mainly as the powerplant is generally geared towards offering efficiency rather than outright grunt.

On some occasions, the engine has been used in road-battering performance cars. In fact, the most powerful version of the EcoBoost four-pot ever developed never featured under the hood of a Ford, and instead graced the engine bay of something with more of an Italian flavor.

Dallara Built A Sports Car Utilizing A 400 hp EcoBoost Unit

The vehicle in question was crafted by Dallara, an Italian constructor that is better known for its racing exploits than its road car projects. Founded in 1972 by Giampaolo Dallara, an engineer who previously worked for Lamborghini, Dallara is a legendary name in racing circles, having made its name as a master race car chassis builder, the marque having even taken on the Formula 1 World Championship in the 1990s with its own team. Since then, it has built closed-top prototypes that race in the World Endurance Championship, as well as being the sole chassis provider for racing series such as IndyCar, Formula 2, and Formula 3.

In the 2000s, it started getting involved in the road car business. It helped KTM develop the wacky X-Bow, but it took until 2017 for it to finally unveil its very own creation. Named the Stradale, it uses a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost powerplant that makes 400 hp, which ensures it’s the most powerful variant of Ford’s platform on the road. As of 2025, it is yet to be eclipsed.

Discussion

What’s your favorite race track – driven in real life, games, or one you’d love to visit?

Having spent some time experiencing Italy’s Monza, I’ve been pondering what my favorite tracks are. Certainly the Temple of Speed has risen in my list, but I’m not sure it’s at the top. I’ve been to Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio, which are both excellent. Even the lesser known Chevrolet Corvette Museum course is a lot of fun. Then you’ve got amazing stadiums dedicated to the sport such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona. They are amazing facilities that really help bring the sport to your fans. So what’s your favorite track, and why? Have you driven there? Is it just a fantastic place to watch a race? Have you only driven it in video games? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

The Stradale Was Designed To Be A Road-Legal Track Car

Determined to make use of 40 years in the motorsport arena, Dallara wanted to make sure its first self-badged road car offered the fun of a racer, but could still be enjoyed on the road. The Stradale was designed to be as light and balanced as possible, with Dallara also utilizing its intricate understanding of aerodynamics to ensure it produced enough downforce to remain firmly stuck to the ground through the bends.

The Stradale Combines These Elements In One Tidy Package

Bringing these attributes together effectively in a road car can be tricky, but Dallara achieved it with aplomb. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit was selected due to its compact size and lightness, but it was thoroughly reworked by Bosch to produce its 400 hp power figure. A larger turbocharger was brought along, while new electronics were developed to squeeze every last drop from the powerplant. It was mounted in the middle of the car to aid weight distribution, and came with the option of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automated manual transmission.

The engine was also selected due to its cleanliness, as it met Euro 6E emissions regulations. With the 400 hp being sent to the rear wheels, the little Stradale, which boasts a dry weight of just under 1,900 pounds, can blaze to 60 mph in just 3.25 seconds.

Dallara Made Use Of Its Racing Pedigree To Ensure the Stradale Handles Like A Star

When it came to perfecting the handling of the Stradale, Dallara left no stone unturned. It used computer simulation software to nail the setup of the front and rear double-wishbone suspension, which works in unison with a three-way adjustable damper setup. The software was also used to tune the steering kinematics, the engine, the transmission, and differential, as well as the anti-roll bars, to get the Stradale in a good window before it even hit the road. With a solid base established, Dallara could then tweak the car to perfection in real life.

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The carbon fiber monocoque and compressed molded body panels helped make the Stradale’s insane lightness a reality, while its aero package afforded the downforce numbers Dallara were looking for. Most of the downforce comes from the huge rear-mounted spoiler, a component that can be removed for road use. Even in standard form, where the Stradale still makes use of a flat floor, as well as front and rear diffusers, it makes 903 pounds of downforce. In track spec, where the large carbon rear spoiler is fitted, this shoots up to over 1,800 pounds. All this combines to create a breathless package that will thrill its driver on track or the public road. And Ford’s small-but-mighty EcoBoost engine is at the center of it.

Having A Compact But Powerful Engine Makes Great Sense In A Performance Car

While smaller engines with fewer cylinders, like the EcoBoost, may not bring the drama in the way that six or eight-cylinder powerplants can from a noise standpoint, they make a lot of sense from a performance perspective. With the assistance of force induction, they can provide as much grunt as a larger engine, but while also being smaller and lighter. Lightness ensures the car will be faster on the straights and more agile in the bends, with the latter point being further helped by the added weight distribution benefits brought by having a lighter engine mounted in the chassis.

Another benefit is that engines like the EcoBoost are easier to maintain than more complicated and larger units with more components, which also cost more to work on and service. Efficiency is also improved, meaning you can have as much fun without having to spend as much of your hard-earned cash on fuel. Boosted four-pots may sound a little uninspired against a roaring V8, but those who value driving dynamics will reap the rewards.

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The Stradale Isn’t The Only Rare Sports Car That Utilizes Ford’s 2.3-Liter EcoBoost Engine

The little EcoBoost unit has proved pretty popular with low-volume performance car manufacturers, mainly due to its plug-and-play functionality, reliability, and the level of power it offers for its small size. Another to run it is Mexican sports car brand Vuhl, which utilizes a 385 hp version of the powerplant in its 05 RR model. A hardened version of the standard 05 two-seater sports car, the already-light machine was lightened by a further 143 pounds to further enhance its pace and agility. Courtesy of its insane 1,410-pound total weight figure, and the 385-hp Ford engine placed in the middle, the 05 RR can hit 60 mph in only 2.7 seconds.

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Like the Dallara Stradale, the 05 RR uses a flat floor, as well as front and rear spoilers, and a rear diffuser, to produce considerable downforce, while adjustable suspension means you can adjust the vehicle’s handling to your liking. Whichever of the two track-ready sports cars you prefer, you’re well catered for if you start to feel your EcoBoost-powered Focus isn’t really cutting it anymore.

Sources: Dallara, Vuhl