Ford’s new engine is so small, it fits in a carry-on suitcase

Ford Motor Co. has a funny way of making a point.

On their way from Detroit to Los Angeles for the 2012 L.A. Auto Show, Ford officials stuffed the company’s new 1.0-liter engine into a carry-on and popped it into a TSA security-screening bin.

“The engine block is small enough to fit in your luggage, or about the length of the iPad,” company spokeswoman Debra Hotaling said.

Check out the picture above. The engine fits in the plastic bin that you drop your shoes and wallet into.

PHOTOS: Ford’s new 1.0-liter engine fits in carry-on luggage

“While we can’t confirm that we actually took the 1.0-L through X-ray, what we can tell you that the TSA was obliging of our photos,” Hotaling said.

The photos are just a tease, though. Ford didn’t provide any additional information on power output and said more details would be revealed Monday as part of a EcoBoost press conference. (EcoBoost is Ford’s family of turbocharged, direct injected engines that are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. So there’s a hint.)

Monday’s conference is to be webcast live from Dearborn, Mich., at 9:45 a.m. Pacific time.

“We have not confirmed the vehicle you’ll see the 1.0-liter in yet. Stay tuned,” Hotaling said. “By the way, we definitely had a fascinated audience while in line with our luggage.”

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