Ford’s EcoBoost-powered Rip Rod isn’t your average Hot Wheels car

By Andrew Hard October 27, 2014

1.0L Ford EcoBoost: Hot Wheels Rip Rod Unleashed | Performance Parts | Ford Performance

Your ears aren’t fooling you; the savage sound you’re hearing is coming from a 1.0-liter engine.

The last time we saw Ford’s Hot Wheels Rip Rod, it was a static project car being towed behind the decked out Ford Transit Connect vehicle. Even though the cargo van’s 55-inch television screen, gullwing doors, and nostalgic paint job were cool, we always wondered what the Rip Rod would be like moving under its own power.

Well, now we know.

The real life Hot Wheels car, originally designed and built by Mattel and Bandito Brothers, is now powered by Ford’s amazing 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine.

The tiny three-cylinder uses a cast iron block, independent variable camshaft timing, and an overboost function to increase durability, efficiency, and raw power.

Because the Rip Rod is a small vehicle, the EcoBoost’s integrated exhaust manifold and internal timing belt reduce size and weight appropriately. In the video above, Ford Racing says the engine is “small enough to fit in a suitcase.”

There’s no word on output for this particular application, but the 1.0-liter has made anywhere from 99 horsepower to a stunning 202 hp in the FF1 racecar. The Euro-legal one-seater was quick enough to lap the Nurburgring in 7:22 seconds, faster than a Ferrari Enzo.

Considering Ford’s claim that the three-pot is “powerful enough to accelerate the evolution of racing,” it’s a good bet the Rip Rod is toward the high end of the EcoBoost’s potential.

Related: EcoBoost, Coyotes, and Voodoo. Dissecting the tech powering the 2015 Mustang

The engine is developed at the Dunton Technical Centre in Laindon, United Kingdom. It is currently being featured in the Ford Fiesta, and won the International Engine of the Year award in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Editors' Recommendations

Ford can use your voice to make your car’s wheels theftproof

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.