Ford adding diesel engine, other features to F-150
DETROIT (AP) — For the very first time, Ford is suggesting a diesel engine on its F-150 pickup.
The switch is one of several coming for America’s best-selling pickup in the two thousand eighteen model year. The revamped truck goes on sale this fall, with the diesel option following in the summer of 2018.
The F-150 is just two years into a revolutionary switch. In 2015, Ford embarked making the truck’s assets out of aluminum to save weight and increase fuel economy. A few months ago, the company introduced a fresh 10-speed transmission for the truck.
The frequent updates demonstrate what a crucial vehicle the F-150 is for Ford, says Karl Brauer, the senior director of content at Cox Automotive. The F-150 has been the nation’s best-selling truck since 1977. Last year, Ford sold more than 820,000 F-Series pickup trucks; that’s ninety three trucks every hour.
“They’re not even going to remotely keep it from being competitive,” Brauer said.
Ford Motor. Co offers diesel versions of its heavy-duty pickups, but hasn’t so far on the F-150. Todd Eckert, Ford’s truck marketing manager, said customers were asking for a diesel to improve towing capacity. Diesel engines are also more efficient, which will help Ford meet rising fuel economy standards.
Ford also needed a diesel for competitive reasons. The Nissan Titan and Ram one thousand five hundred pickups added diesels in the last few years, and Fiat Chrysler says diesels now make up ten to fifteen percent of its Ram sales.
Ford won’t say what percent of F-150 sales it expects to be diesels. It also won’t expose projected fuel economy.
The fresh truck will still be aluminum-sided, but each trim level will have a fresh grille that looks broader and more horizontal than the current one. A big “F-150” will now be stamped into the tailgate. There are also fresh wheel designs.
In addition to the Three.0-liter diesel, engine choices include a fresh Trio.3-liter V6 and upgraded versions of Ford’s Two.7-liter EcoBoost V6 and Five.0-liter V8. The Three.5-liter EcoBoost V6 released this year will also be available.
Ford has added optional safety features, including automatic braking with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic. The fresh truck will also serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to ten devices.
Ford showcased off the truck Monday at the North American International Auto Showcase. It will be made at plants in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City, Missouri.
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