2011 Ford F-150

Ford will introduce its EcoBoost V-6 to the F-150 lineup. This fully modern dual-overhead-cam 3.5-liter uses two turbochargers and direct fuel injection. It debuted for model-year 2010 in several Ford/Lincoln products, notably the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and 2010 Lincoln MKS sedans and 2010 Ford Flex crossover SUV. In those applications it makes 355-365 horsepower with 350 pound-feet of torque at around 1500 rpm. Speculation is that it’ll pack 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet in the F-150. The idea is to furnish V-8 power with V-6 fuel economy. Ford sources say it the twin-turbo V-6 weigh something like 175 pounds less and be 15-20 percent more fuel efficient than the 2010 F-150’s top engine choice, a 320-horsepower 5.4-liter V-8.

2011 Ford F-150 in white

Ford maintains the EcoBoost V-6 is suitable for moderately heavy towing duty, too. High tech means high cost, however, so the EcoBoost is likely to be the uplevel 2011 F-150 engine. The base choice would be Ford’s new dual-overhead-cam 5.0-liter V-8. Dubbed “Coyote,” this naturally aspirated engine is also slated for duty in the Ford Mustang. In the F-150, look for power ratings similar the EcoBoost V-6, but with conventional V-8 torque characteristics. Some reports suggest the 2011 F-150 may also become available with Ford’s new 6.2-liter V-8. All these engines will likely use a six-speed automatic transmission.

2010 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson

Introduction of the EcoBoost V-6 and the two new V-8s would represent a fully new engine lineup for the F-150. That roster for model-year 2010 consisted of three V-8s: a 248- and a 292-horsepower 4.6-liter and the 320-horsepower 5.4. Torque topped out at 320-pound feet on the 4.6s and 390 on the 5.4. Towing and payload ratings for 2011 should approximate 2010’s maximums of 11,300 pounds and 3,030 pounds, respectively. All 2011 F-150s will again come with anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and Ford’s AdvanceTrac antiskid system. Two-wheel drive (2WD) will be the default setup, with all models available with a part-time four-wheel-drive system (4WD) that includes low-range gearing but is not intended for use on dry pavement.

2011 Ford F-150

2011 Ford F-150 in action

Black 2011 Ford F-150