The 2009 Lincoln MKS will be Ford’s first vehicle that uses a new performance and fuel economy boosting technology featuring gasoline direct injection and two turbochargers. Called EcoBoost, it claims up to 20% better fuel economy and 15% fewer emissions. And Ford says we can expect to see it in as many as 500,000 cars and trucks within five years.

From the China Post...

WHAT THEY DO: Direct-injection means that fuel is injected into each cylinder of the engine in small, precise amounts, while turbocharging uses waste energy from the exhaust gas to drive the turbine.

HOW MUCH THEY’LL COST: Ford did not give figures, but said customers would be able to recoup their initial investment through fuel savings over two-and-a-half years, which would be less time than it would take to recoup the investment in a diesel or a hybrid.

WHY THEY’RE IMPORTANT: Other automakers, including General Motors Corp., Audi and Volkswagen, are using the same technology, but on a small scale to improve performance. Ford says it will be the first to use the technology on such a wide scale.