Ford will launch the next-generation F-150 pickup with a diesel powerplant when the new truck goes on sale in 2008 or 2009, a former executive told Automotive News. Dave Szczupak, who retired from Ford last week, said the engine would be derived from the 3.6-liter V-8 diesel used in the Land Rover Range Rover in Europe.
If it arrives on schedule, th enew F-150 might end up being the first light-duty pickup with a diesel engine in North America. Toyota and Nissan are seeking diesels for their Tundra and Titan pickups, but neither company has secured a powerplant.
In mid-September, Ford confirmed plans to launch a new F-150 in 2008 with “powertrain, design and feature upgrades.”
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10/12, 9:19 AM
posted by:
Andre Neves
LoL Ford never had a diesel in their lineup? Wow, didn’t know that.
10/12, 9:26 AM
posted by:
AussieDan
read the article, they haven’t had a diesel in the F-150
10/12, 9:45 AM
posted by:
davidg1977
Now to see if they can take a hint from Europe by building a Diesel MKS or other sedan and also by putting turbos on their I-4 Fusion or putting the 2.5T I-5 from the V50 into the Fusion.
The Europeans have been dealing with high gas prices for a long time and have come up with great “cheap horsepower” alternatives that the US consumer could greatly benefit from.
10/12, 9:53 AM
posted by:
Torque
Assuming that Ford is still in business in 2009, this is a terrific development.
10/12, 10:04 AM
posted by:
somedriver
“If it arrives on schedule, th enew F-150 might end up being the first light-duty pickup with a diesel engine in North America.”
Not. Chevy had a 1500 with a diesel available in the 90’s, and for a really light truck, the Luv was available with a diesel in the 80’s.
10/12, 10:06 AM
posted by:
British_Rover
This is even better news because it means the European Range Rover Diesel V8 will come to North American Land Rovers. That means my next trail, foul weather, tow vehicle is going to be a Diesel LR3.
10/12, 10:07 AM
posted by:
British_Rover
Oh yeah I worked on a 1995 or 1996 Chevy 1500 with the 6.5 liter V8 Diesel. That was a real crappy diesel.
10/12, 10:10 AM
posted by:
Richard
@AussieDan,
The article says that the diesel diesel-equipped F-150 might be the “first light-duty pickup” so equipped in North America. This is not a statement of historical fact, but one of marketing-speak. Its truth depends on your definition of “light-duty pickup.”
@davidg1977,
The pump price of diesel fuel is not a reason to buy a diesel-equipped truck in many US locations. Years ago, it was universally less expensive than gasoline. Today, this is not the case. It is common to see diesel selling for a little less than $3.00 at the same stations which offers gasoline for just over $2.00.
10/12, 10:31 AM
posted by:
davidg1977
Richard.
I know what youre talking about on the diesel prices and it’s astonishing b/c diesel fuel is significantly less expensive to produce than gasoline. However, I see this as a supply/demand issue rather than a sign of where things are with the cost of diesel. Additionally, some of the Diesel could have been cracked further to produce gasoline and therefore depleted some of the diesel caches.
To your point, diesel is at about a 10% premium over regular unleaded in the many states that I travel to (ask my wife, I travel to too many of them during the wk).
At the end of the day, the diesel is a more fuel efficient vehicle that also allows for greater hauling attributes (see the F-150) and also longer lasting engines (which is why I think the big three have shunned them in NA for so long — longer living cars takes buyers out of the cycle for longer periods of time).
When an E320 CDI gets 45 MPG, I’d gladly pay a 10% premium for the gas versus a 25 MPG gasoline powered version. The real question will be the premium that one would have to pay at the time of purchase for the vehicle and how long it would take to pay off. The numbers DO NOT add up for hybrid premiums, but I feel they are pretty darn close in the diesel purchase price premium.
10/12, 10:42 AM
posted by:
tppp
Chevrolet and Dodge are both rumored to be offering Diesel engines in half-tons in 2009 as well so it may be a little premature to say that Ford will be the first. I’m sure they the big 3 will debut their new diesel half-tons in the same model year.
10/12, 11:48 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Yeah, this has been brewing for a while now. Good. Diesels are awesome.
10/12, 11:48 AM
posted by:
A4
FINALLY jesus christ
10/12, 3:05 PM
posted by:
1234
YES – it’s about time! Bring on the diesels – especially the smaller engines. If Ford can beat the others to this market it may save them…
Diesel fuel prices are simply more stable than gasoline in the US due to the heavy, consistent dependance of commercial haulers and lack of a driving season. One thing about diesels is that they are incredibly efficient, versatile engines which can burn a wide variety of fuel types. This will become even more important in the future as petrol based fuels continue to rise in price and the availability of cleaner, more enviro friendly alternative fuels like biodiesel come on line.
“Chevy had a 1500 with a diesel available in the 90’s, and for a really light truck, the Luv was available with a diesel in the 80’s.” Yes, and those GM diesel engines were complete POSs that wrecked and biased the American market against diesel technology for years
10/12, 3:07 PM
posted by:
wetstuff
I was thinking like A4 and 1c3 …but then I saw the Rover name attached to the powerplant. Uh-oh!
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