Redline issue mystery - need answers! Martin, Sunny, anybody ?

[Zafiro]

It's about Ford Fiesta ST.
ST built from year 13 , the redline ends at 6750 rpm but cars built from year 14, the redline ends at 6500 rpm. There is a discussion going on in Ford Forum but no one seem to know. Mine is a 2014 and redline starts at 6500 rpm and as a redline junkie its disturbing. See pictures.

Got a good answer to this?

PS it's not US issue, same case in Europe.

 

[Sunny]

Sorry Andreas, have no real clue. I am guessing you can look at the VIN and tell the real year the car was made in? Maybe the dealer duped you and gave you a 13 car? Or just write to Ford and ask? Anyway, it such a minute difference, I doubt you even realize while driving, especially in a turbo car.

 

[DeDe]

And where's your limiter? As far as I know max engine speed is 6750 rpm in the Fiesta ST.

 

[Monster]

Can the forum members take a MY13 and M14 car to the dyno and compare the results?

 

[Wolfgang]

Maybe it's connected to the over-rev feature?

ENGINE OVER-REV
Note: Always wait until the engine is properly warmed up before
running high engine speeds.
Your vehicle is equipped with an over-rev feature to increase the
performance range of your Focus ST. The standard maximum engine
speed of 6500 rpm is indicated by a narrow redline on the tachometer
face. The redline becomes thicker at the over-rev engine speed of
6800 rpm.
This feature allows three seconds of over-rev above 6500 rpm. Once the
three second limit has been reached, the electronically controlled rev
limit ramps down to 6500 rpm and holds there. Once engine speed has
dropped below 6300 rpm, the over-rev timer is reset and three seconds
of over-rev up to a maximum of 6800 rpm is enabled.
Do not operate the engine at high rpm and low load for sustained
periods of time, as damage may occur.

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/573842/Ford-Focus-St.html?page=14

 

[Zafiro]

Okey, so this means I can rev all the way to 6750 rpm despite my 6500 rpm redline

 

[martinbo]

I've been trying to source some tangible information for you Andreas and, after searching all over the place, I came up with this:

I lost interest.

It's obscure - I can find no technical data that corroborates the other. No confirmation of max power @ RPM (some sites say 134kW @ 6000 RPM, others @ 5700 RPM) nor where does the rev-limiter actually kick in. I can only assume that Ford have lowered the over-rev limit from 6800 RPM to 6500 RPM in 2014 cars as some sort of engine protection tolerance. Seriously, don't get too hung up about 250 RPM at the top-end of the rev-range. It's a turbocharged engine and it's past its best after 6000 rpm in any event; spare the engine and change up into the meat of the boost (and hence torque curve) just after 6000 rpm.

 

[Zafiro]

Tell me about it. Its huge mystery, even around Ford forums. Only Ford knows LOL. Imagine what would happen if BMW suddenly changed the redline in the new M3 from 7600 rpm to 7000 rpm

 

[Deckhook]

I'd be gobsmacked if your car didn't have some form of a soft limiter to stop you over revving it so I can't see the problem unless you are annoyed that you thought you were getting a MY14 and ended up with a MY13 model.

P.S.
I agree with Martin it's only a figure on the dial that will probably mean little to how the car go as most turbo engine do their best work well below the rev limit.

 

[Zafiro]

Mine is My14. Its MY13 with a 6750 rpm redline and MY14 with a 6500 rpm.

 

[ACE]

@Just_me, I am friendly with a couple of guys who work at the Ford technical design centre in the UK where these engines are designed. I'll see them at gym tonight, I'll ask them why the redline was changed and if it's public info I'll post their response here.

 

[kip]

I would contact product specialist at Ford US or Uk or wherever you live, they will have to provide you with an answer.

 

[Zafiro]

@Just_me, I am friendly with a couple of guys who work at the Ford technical design centre in the UK where these engines are designed. I'll see them at gym tonight, I'll ask them why the redline was changed and if it's public info I'll post their response here.

Great, otherwise send me a PM and I keep the answer to myself if its a secret

 

[ACE]

Great, otherwise send me a PM and I keep the answer to myself if its a secret

Spoke to the Ford guys tonight. The ST version's engine is modified in Germany so they don't know the reason behind the change, or at least they are claiming not to know. Fwiw, one of the guys that I spoke to designed the sheet metal for your car.