Posted on 08/20/2010 7:25:36 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
Are U.S. pickup truck buyers prepared to set aside their love affair with V-8 engines and climb into more fuel-efficient models instead? Ford Motor Co. is about to run a high-stakes test of this by promoting a high-tech, six-cylinder engine in its best-selling vehicle.
This fall, Ford will introduce a 300 horsepower V-6 engine and a new six-speed transmission in its F-150 pickups—the No. 1 seller in a market where eight cylinders now rule. And for the first time, Ford will offer a V-6 in its popular crew cab model, which accounts for 60% of all F-150 sales, says F-150 marketing manager Mark Grueber.
Ford will also sell F-150s with a new 5.0 liter V-8 engine. Early next year, the company plans to start marketing F-150s with a 3.5 liter "Ecoboost" V-6 potent enough to tow an 11,300 pound trailer—big enough to haul a rodeo bull or two—that get up to 20% better fuel economy than a V-8 with comparable power.
Why is Ford pushing this strategy? The company is hedging the risk that its highly profitable vehicle line could get battered by another run-up in gasoline prices. It also must meet federal fuel economy rules that will steadily ratchet up the minimum mileage required for all vehicles.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
From the article..... Now, the government is pushing auto makers to make even big pickups more efficient, the better to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Truck buyers, however, are not prepared to go back to the 1950s, when a Ford F-100 truck came with six-cylinder engines that only offered 115 horsepower.
I love V-8’s.
I’ve been in plenty of full size trucks with a V6. No power - no guts.
Although I have been in a 2009 Toyota Tundra with a 4.0 litre V6. It was OK. Don’t know about hauling or towing anything with a V6, however.
But here’s the deal. If you think truck buyers will pay more for a V6, then you have rocks in your head. Especially when you consider a V6 might save you only 2-3 miles per gallon over a V8.
A 3.5 liter 300hp V-6? I suspect it develops the 300hp at a very high rpm and also suspect the torque numbers to be low. You just can’t produce stump pulling torque with a 3.5 liter V-6.
Ford can make their F 150 more fuel efficient by dropping a 300ci 4 or 6 cylinder Diesel in it.
I have not problem with 6 bangers.
Gearing is everything.
Actually, I never could understand the need for 300 hp to begin with.
Hopefully most of you know that over the road trucks are mainly 6 cyclinder diesels in the 300 - 400hp range.
Think you need that in your pickup?
300 HP is a lot, considering my old pre-Magnum Dakota only supplies 125. It does okay everywhere except the freeway, where it is an anemic dog. Now if they could make a 6 that sounds like an 8......
Have you seen all the claptrap on the 2010 emission compliant diesels? Unbelievable cost and complexity.
And likely a bunch of reliability issues down the road.
I remember back in the 80s when Ford and Chevy both put 4s in some of their full size models. Pathetic, weak machines.
I went to a demolition derby at the county fair last weekend and they had 4, 6, and 8 cylinder classes. In the end I’d say the entertainment factor was inversely proportional to the size of the engines.
Or was that the 70s. Probably, the 70s.
Both of my F150s are 6 cyclinders and they’re fine for driving and hauling a load.
A V6 with 300 Horsepower.I’ll take one of those.Especially if it gets better fuel economy in the process.
My pickup has a little over 500 RWHP, 1000 ft/lbs of torque and gets 24MPG running empty on the interstate. (Duramax Diesel.)
I could fumigate the intake with CNG and get as high as 60MPG on the diesel fuel, which can also be replaced with biofuel.
Economy, power and clean emissions can all co-exist in a diesel.
Sure.
But, really, how many pickup owners are pulling stumps?
or towing?
Or doing much more than driving around in a truck?
You’re right. Gearing is everything. And IF I was gonna have a 6 banger; then I would want a 5 speed manual.
But... maybe I could be impressed with a 6 speed automatic.
Why do truck buyers love V8s?
I’m not an automotive engineer, but I am an enthusiast. My simplistic understanding is that torque is generated by displacement and compression ratio. Therefore, you’ll never get as much torque from a V6 as you do a V8. You can get good HP numbers but HP, (again, a simplification), is how fast you apply the torque, that is, RPM.
That’s why rice burners quote high HP numbers. Their rotating mass weighs about 12 ounces, (exaggeration), so they can spin it at 7000 RPM.
A truck needs to make a lot of torque at low RPM... that’s where a V8 can shine. V6s can be nice, and if you get a big enough displacement, (bore size x stroke), it can do the job, but V8s rule.
I’ve got an F-150 with a 6 cylinder. Bought it because it was cheap. Doesn’t tow worth squat - has <4000 lb limit on towing - but will carry 1000+ lb in the bed OK. Works fine for the work I do, but I wouldn’t consider it for heavy work.
These sound like they have power but I would question torque and the RPM where it is delivered.
just sold my 90 bronco with the 351 W in it and kept the F150 with the inline 6...
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