Ford Dragon (1.0–1.5 Ti-VCT)

Ford's naturally aspirated three-cylinder family, in 1.1, 1.2 and 1.5 litre forms — the entry engines of the current Fiesta, EcoSport, Puma and Figo, replacing the long-serving Sigma fours.

The distinction from the 1.0 EcoBoost is the one to establish first, because the two sit in the same cars and are constantly confused: the EcoBoost is turbocharged with a wet internal cambelt whose failure destroys the engine, while the Dragon is naturally aspirated with a conventional belt. Applying the EcoBoost's belt urgency to a Dragon overstates the risk; applying the Dragon's calm to an EcoBoost badly understates it.

The Dragon itself is undramatic — port and direct injection on some variants, chain or belt depending on version, and no systemic failure documented. Its complaints are consumables and, in the markets where it sells most heavily, fuel quality showing up as knock. Confirm which engine is fitted before repeating anything about Ford three-cylinders.