Ford says the all-new 3.7-liter V-6 and 5.0-liter V-8 engines for the 2011 F-150 (please see our first drive review) will lead the light-duty segment in expected fuel economy.
The 302-horsepower, 3.7 F-150 4X2 is expected to have an EPA mileage rating of 16 mpg in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway (as we reported earlier); the 360-hp, 5.0 F-150 4X2 is expected to deliver 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Both engines can run on E85 fuel.
For comparison, the 2010 Ford F-150 was rated at 15/21 mpg city/highway with the old 292-hp, 3-valve 4.6-liter V-8 and 14/20 mpg city/highway with the discontinued 310-hp 3-valve 5.4-liter V-8.
The 3.7's 23 mpg highway number is tied with the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Two-Mode Hybrid, but the Chevy's alternative powertrain combines batteries and a transmission with two electric motors with a 6.0-liter V-8.
"Seventy percent of F-150 customers said better fuel economy is what they'd like improved most in their truck," said Doug Scott, Ford’s Truck Group's marketing manager.
Ford is pulling out all of its technical tricks to deliver those fuel economy numbers, even though power figures and performance are improved considerably over last year's engines.
Both engines use driver-input monitoring at more than 60 times a minute with new twin independent variable camshaft timing, or Ti-VCT. Ti-VCT varies intake and exhaust valve openings and closings throughout the power band to improve low-end power, emissions and mileage.
The 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission has been engineered to match up with each of the F-150's new engines and given new features, like Manual Shift Mode and Progressive Range Select.
Replacing the conventional hydraulic steering system is an all-new class-exclusive electric power-assisted steering system (offered with the 3.7-liter V-6, 5.0-liter V-8, and 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engines) that’s 4 percent more efficient than the hydraulic system it replaces, as it draws power from the engine only when needed.
"The all-new engine lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150 is focused on delivering what matters most to truck customers – best-in-class power, capability, durability and fuel economy," said Barb Samardzich, vice president of Ford’s Powertrain Engineering. "Each engine offers an unequaled combination of these attributes."
Ford has yet to announced fuel economy figures for the twin turbo gasoline direct injection 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine.
The 2011 Ford F-150 arrives in dealerships later this year.
