Ford is providing diesel truck fans with a reason to celebrate the start of 2018 with the introduction of its first-ever F-150 Power Stroke diesel. The new truck will be available in the spring, and joins the larger F-Series Super Duty trucks that have featured Power Stroke motors for some time.
The new 3.0L diesel engine providing the power for the F-150 is targeting 30 mpg on the highway, along with strong towing and payload capacity.
"For every truck owner who wants strong fuel economy while they tow and haul, we offer a new 3.0L Power Stroke V6 engine that dreams are made of," said Dave Filipe, vice president, global powertrain engineering with Ford. "The more you tow and the longer you haul, the more you'll appreciate its towing and payload capacity and how efficient it is at the pump."
The addition of the 3.0L Power Stroke diesel means there are now six engine choices for F-150 customers.
The highly anticipated new diesel shares proven commercial-grade technology with F-Series Super Duty's larger 6.7L Power Stroke. The same Ford powertrain team behind the Power Stroke for Super Duty trucks since 2011 designed and engineered this all-new 3.0L V6 to the specific needs of North American F-150 customers who tow and haul frequently.
The V6 generates 250 hp and 440 lb.-ft. of torque. Peak torque comes at 1,750 rpm with strong torque delivery continuing throughout the rpm range, ideal for towing or hauling heavy loads over long distances.
This new V6 diesel features the same compacted-graphite iron block material construction and forged-steel crank used in the 2.7L EcoBoost engine for added strength and durability along with reduced weight.
For greater responsiveness and reduced turbo lag, the Ford truck team chose a high-efficiency variable-geometry turbocharger. A common-rail fuel injection system precisely optimizes performance and fuel efficiency, while a high-pressure 29,000 pounds per square inch injection calibration enables smoother, quieter operation with reduced emissions.
Dual fuel filters are added for improved break-in, while a cast-aluminum oil pan and two-stage oil pump mean reduced parasitic loss and improved fuel efficiency.
Engineered to tow under grueling conditions
Engineering the most efficient F-150 towing machine ever is enabled by F-150's high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body, introduced in 2015. This construction lightened the load by 700 pounds, allowing engineers to invest in additional technologies to further improve towing and payload capability, as well as offer greater fuel economy, even when towing. For 2018, stronger axles coupled with the fully boxed, high-strength steel frame add further robustness.
The Ford truck team paid particular attention to extreme driving conditions when engineering the all-new 3.0L Power Stroke diesel, which features a premium mechanical engine-driven fan and dual radiator shutters for improved high-temperature, high-altitude performance - a key advantage versus the electric cooling fans used with other engines, Ford states.
"We know that diesels with electric cooling fans have to dial back on power under extreme heat and altitude, so we decided on a viscous-controlled mechanical fan that has the capacity to move much more air across the radiator and intercooler in extreme conditions," said David Ives, Ford diesel engine technical specialist. "This gives F-150 Power Stroke owners more power and more passing capability in harsh conditions."
In more moderate driving and towing conditions, the F-150 engine control system backs off the fan load through a viscous coupler, closing down the two radiator shutters for improved aerodynamic efficiency and reduced parasitic engine loss.
Calibrated specifically for the Power Stroke diesel's low-end power and torque curves, a standard SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmission maximizes shift points and gear ratios to optimize power, low-rpm torque and efficiency. This transmission can non-sequentially select the right gear ratio based on need. To help reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions during city driving, Auto Start-Stop also comes standard.
In testing, the F-150 equipped with the new diesel engine climbed 13 miles at a 6 percent grade in temperatures in excess of 100 degrees - maintaining consistent power output throughout.
The 3.0L Power Stroke is available for both 4x2 and 4x4 F-150 pickups. Retail customers can choose this engine option for 2018 F-150 Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum edition SuperCrew trucks with either a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed configuration, and SuperCab trucks with a 6.5-foot bed configuration.
For fleet customers who use their truck for work, the 3.0L Power Stroke diesel engine will be available on all F-150 trim levels with SuperCrew 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed configurations and SuperCab trucks with a 6.5-foot bed.
