Posted on 03/11/2010 8:03:09 PM PST by smokingfrog
Ford Motor Co. is hoping to keep its product revolution rolling by introducing for the first time its own diesel engine into the heavy-duty pickup truck segment.
The new diesel engine, powering the new F-Series Super Duty truck, resulted from a development program that began as Ford’s longtime relationship with Navistar broke down amid recriminations and lawsuits over pricing, specifications, quality standards and warranty costs.
Navistar had supplied Ford with the big-diesel engines used in the heavy-duty pickup trucks for more than two decades.
Ford elected almost three years ago to build its own diesel engine for its North American trucks, which are used extensively in construction, farming and ranching. Ford has declined to say how much it spent on the new heavy-duty F-150 and the new engines.
“It was a real gamble for us,” said one Ford official who was familiar with the project.
It was also in keeping with Ford’s ongoing effort to develop vehicles that will stand up to the best cars and trucks in each segment in which the company competes.
Ford already owned the rights to the “Power Stroke” name used on the Navistar engine, and it brought in engineers from its European operations to work on the project alongside engineers in the U.S. familiar with diesel engines.
Chris Brewer, the chief engineer for the heavy-duty truck, said the changes are already paying dividends. By bringing the production of the diesel engine inhouse, Ford was able to hold the line on prices.
In addition, the new Ford-built diesel engine delivers best-in-class fuel economy and towing capability. Indeed, recent tests showed heavy-duty trucks carrying 1,000 pounds, getting better than 26 miles per gallon in fuel-economy-challenges staged by Ford, with some drivers getting 34 miles per gallon, Ford officials said.
(Excerpt) Read more at theoaklandpress.com ...
Did you get the sportwagon? I love the Euro wagons. They’re SUVs (from a functional standpoint) that handle well. I hate it that Americans don’t “get” that, and thus we don’t get many of them over here (no S4 Avant, for example).
Does that engine have urea injection? I should know that, but haven’t paid close enough attention.
Yes, I got the sportwagen model, with the sport and tiptronic manual transmission.
2.0L 140hp with the rail direct injection.
It does not have the urea injection.
So far I love it, even if I do look like a soccer mom, and not a ranch hand.
Just have one of those ranch hands in their Dodge Ram or equivalent try to follow you down a twisty road or a freeway clover. Heck, the soccer moms are driving truck-based SUVs.
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