Ford F-150 Revamped Engine Lineup Concedes to V-6 Power

[OmarKareem]

When the current generation F-Series pickup was introduced for the 2009 Model year, Ford chose to withdraw their six-cylinder engine in favour of an all V-8 lineup. Realizing the buyers of full-sized pickup have traditionally preferred more heavily optioned 8-cylinder trucks, Ford rationalized the decision claiming the smallest displacement 4.6 liter engine sported fuel economy equal to their departing V-6. In all honesty, selling a V-8 engine as a fuel efficient powerplant runs along the same parallel as Kentucky Fried Chicken’s ill-fated attempted to sell their chicken as health food. Customers of full-sized truck truly cared less for fuel mileage when Ford developed the latest F-150, not knowing that changing environmental and economical would become rising factors in two years

Failing to win over the environmental-minded with their argument preaching acceptable fuel economy, the United States government wasn’t accepting the broader automakers’ will to produce vehicles showing little fuel efficiency improve since the CAFE standards were first instated. The move to reintegrate V-6 engines into the F-150 lineup is also sparred by more stringent CAFE standard targets set for 2016. Apparently, the time is just right for the Ford Motor Company in obtaining the spirit of fuel efficiency without losing the aura of engine power

Presenting a series of all-new engines, Ford Motor Company’s revamping of their F-150 pickup power sources in 2011 delivers not one but two V-6 engine choices. Available immediately, the new base engine of the 2011 Ford F-150 line is being led by the Duratec 3.7 liter V-6. Immediately charming those truck buyers who have still consider a six-cylinder engine too weak for their needs, 300 horsepower is pumped out supported by a very usable 275 pounds feet of torque. The 3.7 liter Duratec V-6 power is good enough to handle a maximum towing capacity of 6,100 pounds while still delivering class-leading fuel economy. Exact numbers were not announced but expect would have to beat the base Chevrolet/GMC pickup’s 15 city and 20 highway fuel economy. Using twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), the 3.7 liter engine also relies on friction-reducing methods such as piston-cooling jets to improve power consistency

The F-150 will become the newest recipient of Ford’s prized EcoBoost technology later in the model year. Combining twin turbochargers and direct injection for peak power development, the high-technology V-6 is said to be 20% more fuel efficient than the previous F-150′s 5.4 liter V-8. Dropping the 3.5 liter powerplant into the broad F-150 engine bay, the six-cylinder EcoBoost has been specifically-engineered for the aggressive grunt needed for trucks. Actual power numbers for the 2011 Ford F-150′s EcoBoost V-6 has yet to be released. Compared to the car and crossover application of the engine, expect the EcoBoost to put more focus into torque production. Unfortunately, Ford has not provided details of the exact fuel economy numbers of either V-6 engine. Taking the 21 mile per gallon average gasoline mileage of the Ford Taurus SHO into consideration, it reasons the EcoBoost V-6 in the 2011 Ford F-150 may shed 2-3 miles per gallon based on weight and tuning differences in the truck

Along with the announcement adding two new V-6 engines to the 2011 F-150′s available equipment package, two fresh V-8 engines are replacing the 2010 model’s powerplants. The 5.0 liter V-8 joins to the Ford’s main truck line with 360 horsepower and 380 pounds feet of torque of power production. Similar to the 2011 Ford Mustang GT, the Ford F-150 version is primed with some unique items such as camshafts positioned for low-end torque and E85 compatibility. The base engine within the 2011 Ford Super Duty range and the dominating muscle for the SVT Raptor, Ford’s 411 horsepower 6.2 liter V-8 will stand as the top-range power for the F-150 in 2011

Presenting a wealth of truck news entering 2011, Ford announced earlier this month it was going to invite purchasers of their diesel-powered 2011 Super Duty trucks back to the dealership for a free performance upgrade. Already the leader in the full-sized truck market, Ford appears certain to uniquely cover honours of most powerful and most fuel efficient pickup truck