It almost seems unfair: The Ford F-150 is already the best-selling vehicle of any kind in America, and the Blue Oval’s big pickup just notched an astounding 38.9 percent sales increase in July. Some 50,449 customers bought a new F-150 that month, leading to more July sales for this one truck than for the entire Subaru and Volkswagen lineups combined. Then, just days after the sales numbers were released, Ford went out and made a good thing even better by announcing a complete overhaul of F-150 powertrains for the next model year.
Ford will offer four new engines in the 2011 F-150, and each one will come standard with a full suite of advanced technologies—including twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT)—and be mated to a cutting-edge six-speed automatic transmission. This will make Ford the first automaker to offer a standard six-speed transmission across its entire full-size pickup line. Notably, the unit in question will be available with Ford’s new SelectShift functionality, which allows for manual-style gear changes and a “progressive range select” feature. This let’s drivers keep the F-150 in lower gears when the truck is heavily loaded or towing on a grade.
The ‘11 F-150 will debut later this year with a base 3.7-liter four-valve V6 engine that’s been specifically tailored for use in Ford’s big truck and delivers best-in-class horsepower (300 hp), a best-in-class maximum trailer tow rating (6,100 lbs) and best-in-class fuel efficiency (at least 20 percent better than the current F-150 V6). Further, to help increase durability, Ford has upgraded the engine with a forged-steel crankshaft, cast-iron exhaust manifolds and a die-cast aluminum oil pan.
Also available from the start of production will be an optional 6.2-liter V8—the same one holstered by the F-150 SVT Raptor and new F-150 Harley Davidson edition. This beast will make a best-in-class 411 hp and 434 lb.-ft. of torque, boast a best-in-class maximum trailer tow rating of an incredible 11,300 lbs., and still attain competitive fuel-economy numbers as compared to its rivals.
And there will be more best-in-class goodness when the F-150’s other V8, a 5.0-liter mill with dual overhead cams, comes on line. This powerplant will top all direct rivals with 360 horses, 380 lb.-ft. of twist, a 9,800 lb. maximum trailer tow rating and the best fuel economy in its class.
Last, but certainly not least, the 2011 model year will mark the first application of Ford’s innovative EcoBoost technology in the F-150. Specifically, the pickup will get a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that makes the same kind of power as a naturally aspirated V8 but with an increase in fuel economy of up to 20 percent as compared to the 2010 F-150’s 5.4-liter V8.
The bottom line according to Barb Samardzich, vice president of Powertrain Engineering for Ford: “The new powertrain lineup for the 2011 F-150 will provide a wide range of choices to customers to suit their needs, with each tested for maximum durability and reliability with outstanding fuel economy.”
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