DETROIT -- The 2009 Lincoln MKS will be the first Ford Motor Co. vehicle that uses a new performance and fuel economy boosting technology that features gasoline direct injection and two turbochargers. Ford calls the system EcoBoost and claims it will deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development, says Ford will use EcoBoost on as many as 500,000 vehicles within the next five years.

The 2009 MKS will be available with an optional 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine that develops 340-horsepower. It will be an all-wheel drive sedan. Ford says fuel economy is improved by 2 mpg in the MKS with EcoBoost, while emissions are down 15 percent. Performance is about the same as a car with a 4.6-liter V-8. Ford expects higher fuel ecocnomy gains in vehicles that use smaller engines, such as the Focus.

Automakers are revamping their powertrain and future product plans to comply with stricter fuel economy regulations that require an automaker's fleet to average 35 mpg by 2020.

"EcoBoost is meaningful because it can be applied across a wide variety of engine types in a range of vehicles, from small cars to large trucks," Kuzak said.

Ford has not said how much EcoBoost will cost consumers. But the technology is cutting edge, and it isn't cheap. The direct injection system sprays gasoline directly into each cylinder. To work with the turbocharger, direct injection requires a greater number of sensors, more software and a faster computer than a conventional engine.

The payback, however, could come quicker for consumers than if they bought a hybrid or a diesel. Kuzak said a diesel engine takes seven years to pay for itself, while a hybrid requires 12 years. The EcoBoost system should pay for itself in 30 months, he said.

Ford also plans to use EcoBoost on four cylinder engines. When used with a four-cylinder engine, EcoBoost will use only one turbocharger, said spokesman Said Deep. He said the 2009 MKS with EcoBoost will not be at the North American Internation Auto Show in Detroit, but a concept vehicle called the Explorer America, will have the system.

Another way Ford plans to boost fuel economy is by reducing weight. During a December Detroit auto show preview event with reporters, Kuzak said Ford's goal is reduce the weight of its vehicles between 250 and 750 pounds. He didn't say how Ford accomplish its goal or when the weight reductions would start.