Ford’s EcoBoost engine line-up is currently available in five Ford and Lincoln vehicles and continues to be a popular option, but one of the biggest tests for the engine is in the 2011 Ford F-150. Despite producing as much power and better fuel economy than a V-8, it wasn’t clear how pickup truck buyers would react to an optional V-6 engine. According to Automotive News, the twin-turbocharged V-6 is proving to be quite popular on the new F-150, with 36 percent of all models selling with this option.
Although Ford did not say what its original projected forecast was for the F-150 EcoBoost take rate, it does seem to be ramping up much quicker than expected with only a 13-day supply of F-150 EcoBoost models currently available at dealerships. With gasoline prices approaching a national average of $4 per gallon, the added fuel economy of the 3.5-liter V-6 is definitely helping to increase the engine’s popularity with official EPA estimates of 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
In the F-150, its EcoBoost six produces 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, helping give the truck the same towing capacity as models with Ford’s thirstier 6.2-liter V-8. Prices for the EcoBoost engine vary depending on the model, but they range from $750 in the F-150 Platinum to $4,400 in the base F-150 XL.
Ford has previously stated that by 2013 90 percent of its North American Ford and Lincoln vehicles with be offered with an EcoBoost engine, whether it be the V-6 currently available or one of the new inline-four EcoBoost engines soon to be introduced in the U.S.
Source: Automotive News
No Comments yet