Ford hikes horsepower, torque on 2017 F-150's 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine

[kscarbel2]

Automotive News  /  July 12, 2016

When the 2017 Ford F-150 arrives at dealership lots this fall, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine under the hood will have more power.

The second-generation engine will have 50 more pounds-feet of torque and an additional 10 hp, raising the numbers to 470 pounds-feet of torque and 375 hp.

The 3.5-liter engine will be paired only with the F-150’s new 10-speed automatic transmission, which was designed under a joint venture with General Motors.

Ford said the powertrain combination will improve acceleration and low-end and peak engine performance, especially when it comes to hauling and towing.

The 3.5-liter engine will remain the premium EcoBoost engine, above the 2.7-liter EcoBoost. Ford also offers a 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V-6 and 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V-8 in the F-150.

The 2.7-liter and first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines account for 60 percent of F-150 sales, Ford said.

Ford spokesman Mike Levine said the company expects the new 3.5 liter EcoBoost will be just as popular, if not more so.

Ford is awaiting final certification from the EPA, but fuel economy ratings on the latest 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, combined with the 10-speed transmission, are expected to rise from those of the current 3.5-liter. That engine is rated at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway.

[kscarbel2]

Ford's "EcoBoost" engines, with every available cutting-edge technology thrown into it in a Hail Mary play, certainly don't lack "boost".

However, the "eco" continues to be missing. The 3.5L V-6 delivers nearly identical performance, and fuel economy, to the soon-to-be-discontinued 5.0L V-8.  While one gets the power of a V-8 in a V-6, one also still gets V-8 fuel economy.

[Dirtymilkman]

Yeah, and when anyone hitches even a small trailer to an eco boost they end up getting 10mpg. Where's the 6.2 Ford? The coyote motor? The diesel? 

[kscarbel2]

9 minutes ago, Dirtymilkman said:

Yeah, and when anyone hitches even a small trailer to an eco boost they end up getting 10mpg. Where's the 6.2 Ford? The coyote motor? The diesel? 

Ford's 3.0-liter V-6 diesel, long offered in the Range Rover, is on the way.

But last night, while I was speaking to a gentleman in a Range Rover powered by Ford's 4.4-liter V-8 diesel, I really enjoyed the V-8 throb of that engine. It's regrettable that Ford doesn't also offer that powerplant as a US option.