Recent rumors see the next-generation Ford F-150 offered with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine by 2013 in order to help the automaker meet the stringent CAFE federal fuel efficiency standards. This option would also help boost the once best-selling vehicle in North America, which was mainly due to its large amount of options and configurations. Offering a four-cylinder for the first time ever may bring some of these buyers back.
The CAFE standards are due to come into effect by 2015 and require light trucks to average 28.6 mpg. According to Pickuptruck.com reports, the four-cylinder engine is likely to displace 2.5 liters and make 260 horsepower along with 300lb-ft of torque. These lofty numbers would be achieved thanks to its use of direct fuel injection and turbocharging, like all of Ford ’s EcoBoost engines. While no mpg numbers were guessed at, it’s likely the engine would only beat V6 counterparts on the EPA cycle, and not necessarily real life, and it would likely require premium gas. The engine would only be offered in the Regular Cab F-150 4×2 and 4×4 models, meant for light duty applications. The EcoBoost four is also tied to the F-100 model, due to replace the aging Ranger.
In other F-series truck-related news, Ford will no longer offer a V6 engine for the 2009 model year. It reasons that the 4.6-liter V8 trumps the 4.2-liter V6 in power and torque while offering similar fuel economy. For 2010, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 350 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque will get better mileage than the V6 when partnered with a new six-speed auto, with EPA ratings that will meet of exceed 16mpg city, 22mpg highway.
“With these factors (smaller displacement and turbocharging) in the equation, an EcoBoost 6-cylinder engine can produce (power) like an 8-cylinder and a 4-cylinder engine like a six,” Dan Kapp, Ford’s director of powertrain research and advanced engineering, recently told journalists.
