Ford Pushes New 6-Cylinder Truck Engines Along with Consumer Test Drives

In select markets, consumers were given an opportunity to tow the 2011 F-150 with the all-new fuel-efficient EcoBoost engine.

After a three-year absence, Ford is back in the game again, offering two fuel-efficient six-cylinder powertrains for the 2011 model year. In the old bodystyle F-150,  Ford only offered one six-cylinder engine: a 4.2-liter four-speed engine, which barely achieved 14 miles in the city and 19 miles in the highway, according to fueleconomy.gov.

In addition to offering two new eight-cylinder engines for the 2011 models, this time Ford is upping the ante with an all-new 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine, which spews outs 301 horses. With destination charges included, pricing for the 3.7-liter engine is expected to be around $23,390.  ( In the 2010 F-150 the base engine was a 4.6-liter 8-Cylinder, producing 248-horsepower). Also for the first time the signature EcoBoost technology will be available in America's number one best-selling model, the F-150 truck. This is the same award-winning technology which has propelled sales of the redesigned Taurus.

The all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost, which kicks out a whopping 365 horses, has more torque than any competitors’ V8 with the fuel economy of a smaller-displacement engine. This EcoBoost engine will establish a new benchmark for its combination of performance capability and fuel-efficiency. Ford's projection is that 50 percent of the F-150 trucks they produce for the 2011 model year will be built with the 3.5-liter, six-cylinder engine. As of now, pricing and mileage has not been released. However, some of our internal sources have revealed that the Ecoboost engine is expected to be about $1,800 more than the base 3.7-liter engine.

Consumers were given an opportunity to test drive all of the F-150s with Ford's new engines at consumer clinics held around the country.

Here's an overview of both six-cylinder engines:

3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6

The 3.7-liter will be the most powerful, capable and fuel-efficient base V6 of any truck in its class. Key attributes include:

• Projected best-in-class 23 mpg highway (4x2 configuration), pending final EPA certification. Also delivers 16 mpg city
• Best-in-class 302-horsepower at 6,500 rpm
• Unsurpassed 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm
• Best-in-class 6,100 pounds maximum trailer tow
• Ti-VCT (twin independent variable camshaft timing) creates precise, variable timing control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power, performance and fuel economy
• E85 flex fuel capability
• Piston-cooling jets, which squirt oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions
• Forged-steel crankshaft for improved durability
• Built at Cleveland Engine Plant
• Available in 2010 (coming soon)

 3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost V6

A premium powertrain offering available after launch, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost has more torque than any competitors’ V8 with the fuel economy of a smaller-displacement engine.

• 365-horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• Best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm on regular fuel
• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors
• Best-in-class 3,060 pounds payload vs. all competitors
• Up to 90 percent of peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
• New benchmark for combination of performance capability and fuel efficiency Ti-VCT creates precise, variable timing control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power, performance and fuel economy
• Intake and exhaust camshafts optimized for improved fuel economy and performance
• Cast exhaust manifolds for heavy-duty operation and durability
• Improved manifold and cylinder heads for improved performance
• Direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) valvetrain with polished buckets to reduce friction and improve fuel economy  
• Available near the end of the 1st Quarter of 2011 
• MPG has been determined 

Participants of Ford's consumer clinic had a chance to pit the 2011 engines against the competitors.

Also in select markets, a fleet of F-150s powered by the EcoBoost engine will begin a tour of 50 cities in mid-November and run through February for consumers to drive. Consumers can have the vehicle delivered at work or home. To sign-up for the test drive, click here. The addition of these two new engines should help the F-150 continue its reign. By the way, Dodge, Chevy, GMC and Toyota also offer six-cylinder engines in their trucks.