Ford is apparently investing so much money and resources into its new generation of EcoBoost engines and efficient transmissions that it no longer needs to bring smaller and more fuel efficient trucks to market, as the engines themselves will attain the kinds of fuel consumption numbers it wants. This likely means the long-rumored F-100 and a Ranger replacement will not see the light of day.
The EcoBoost-badged engines will not only use turbo-charging and direct injection technologies to attain low consumption, but Ford ’s head of advanced powertrain research, Dan Knapp, also hinted the automaker is considering an ethanol boosting technology in a Detroit News report.
After the 3.5-liter, twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 debuts in the 2010 Lincoln MKS sedan next year, it will move in under the hoods of other models, including the F-150 pickup in about 1.5 years, Ford execs said on Wednesday.
The F-100 would have been built at Ford’s Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, but it is being retooled for small car production.
“We have no intention of giving up our leadership in trucks,” said Ford’s global product development chief, Derrick Kuzak. “Fuel economy (will be) a reason to buy — no longer a reason to reject — Ford vehicles.”
Not only will Ford make its engine assembly plants more flexible to suit demand between four-cylinder and V6 or V8 engines, but the automaker also confirmed it is in discussions with General Motors on potential collaborations on powertrain development.
