Ford looks to be taking the F-150 down a similar path as the Mustang – in more ways than one – as Ford recently updated the F-150, but now several new engines are on the table for 2011.
When Ford updated the Mustang’s styling, suspension and interior for 2010 many asked why they would make so many changes, only to add the real changes – a 305 horsepower V6, and a 412 horsepower V8 – the following year. The plan was no doubt intended to keep Mustang sales up while new engines were prepared for the following year, and now it appears as if Ford may take a similar path with the 2011 F-150, albeit with one additional year in-between the redesign and the new engines.
2011 F-150 looks to the Mustang for motivation – literally
According to inside sources that have spoken with Automotive News’ Jamie LaReau, in 2011 Ford will definitely be adding both the 3.7-liter V6 that produces 305 horsepower in the Mustang, and the 5.0-liter V8 that produces 412 horsepower in the same Pony car. This V6 engine would mark the return of a sub-8-cylinder engine in the F-150, and would replace the 2-valve 4.6-liter V8 as the standard engine.
Depending on tuning, this 3.7-liter V6 will likely output 50 additional horsepower over the V8 engine, although it may fall shy of reaching the V8′s torque by 10-14 lb-ft unless tuning is adjusted compared to the configuration used in the Mustang. Currently, the 2-valve 4.6-liter V8 produces 248 horsepower and 294 lb-ft of torque, compared to 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque in the 2011 Mustang.
The same sources that spoke with Automotive News also suggested the debut of the 5.0-liter V8 in the F-150 for 2011, a move that will likely mean the end of the 5.4-liter Triton V8, and possibly the mid-grade 3-valve 4.6-liter V8 as well.
LaReau questioned Ford’s Richard Truett concerning the addition of the 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8, to which he responded, “We are always looking to broaden the appeal of our products to give consumers the vehicle that best suits their needs.”
F-150 to debut rear-wheel drive EcoBoost
In addition to a pair of new naturally aspirated engines for the 2011 F-150, Ford also plans to drop an EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 into an F-150 as well, which Leftlane’s spies have caught such prototypes in testing on several occasions.
Ford hopes to show customers that a turbocharged engine offers many of the same low rpm torque advantages typically found in truck-based V8 engines, but with less fuel consumption. From a marketing standpoint, Ford will also need to overcome the mentality that bigger is better when it comes to engine size.
“The EcoBoost is a V-6 and smaller displacement so there is going to be some work that we need to do as marketers to get people into the EcoBoost,†said Mark Grueber, Ford’s F-150 marketing manager.
“If you can give them both [durability and capability], which is what the EcoBoost will do for us, then I think we’ve got a real winner,” said Grueber. “The key for us will be verifying the truck passes all of our ‘Built-Ford Tough’ durability standards. Some of the capability and fuel economy numbers on the truck will give us credibility with the customer.”
Expect the EcoBoost to begin entering production in 2010, with the other new engines either entering production at the same time, or quickly following suit. Owners can also expect six-speed transmissions to be used on all F-150 applications starting in 2011.
References
1.’Ford 2011 F-150 pickup…’ view
