Ford's 2011 F-150 will do away with its current lineup of V8 engines in the F-150 in favor of new and more efficient powerplants, which will include a base V6, the Mustang GT's 5.0-liter V8 and the company's impressive EcoBoost V6.
The base 4.6-liter V8 will be tossed in favor of the company's new 3.7-liter V6 engine, the same engine offered as standard equipment in the new 2011 Mustang. This will mark the first time Ford has offered a V6 in the F-150 since 2008. The current 4.6-liter makes 248 hp and 294 ft-lbs of torque and gets 19-mpg highway, while in the Mustang the 3.7-liter V6 makes 305-hp and 280 ft-lbs of torque, while delivering 31-mpg on the highway.
Ford's optional Triton 5.4-liter V8 will then be replaced by the smaller displacement 5.0-liter from the Mustang GT. The 5.4-liter makes 320-hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque, with a 20-mpg highway rating, while the 5.0-liter V8 in the new Mustang GT creates 412-hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque, while getting 26-mpg highway.
Ford's new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine will also debut in the F-150 for 2011 and all engine options will come with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The biggest challenge for Ford will be in the marketing department, convincing traditional truck buyers that a smaller displacement or V6 engine can do the job of the larger V8 powerplants. We wouldn't worry, as Ford has proven itself very capable over the past few years in marketing its products.
Despite GM having exited the medium duty market, Ford isn't resting on its laurels. It's F-650 and F-750 chassis cabs, which are primarily used for towing and commercial grade hauling work are receiving a few updates. One of the most significant is the adoption of the 6.8-liter V-10 found in the lighter Super Duty trucks (F-250-F-550) for the 2012 model year. According to Len Deluca, Director of Ford's Commercial Truck Sales and Marketing, the addition of the V-10 will be "welcome news to many business and municipalities," while providing a wider range of powertrain options and solutions than Ram, Navistar, Isuzu and Hino (to name a few) currently offer in the Class 6 and 7 truck market.
For use in the medium duty Ford trucks, the V10 will be rated at 362 horsepower at 4750 rpm and 457 ft-lbs of torque at 3250. This enables gross vehicle weight ratings on these trucks to range from 20,000 up to a substantial 30,000 lbs, making them highly suitable for a range of different uses, from flatbed recovery vehicles to Fire Department use and short haul delivery runs. Teamed with the V10 is a version of Ford's six-speed automatic TorqShift transmission, which features a powdered metal carrier in the planetary gearset for extra strength and increased torque capacity (some 735 ft-lbs), plus dual overdrive gears to aid fuel economy and a Live Drive Power Take Off (PTO) than can power such features as snow plows, salt spreaders and dump bodies directly off the crankshaft while the engine is running, no matter what speed the vehicle is traveling.
Alongside the V10/six-speed combo, Ford announced that it will be also offering an alternative fuels prep package for the 2012 Medium Duty trucks, following on from the smaller Super Duty rigs. This version of the V10 will incorporate hardened valves and seats for better wear resistance from gaseous fuels like Compressed Natural and Liquified Petroleum Gas. Ford has announced that the 2012 Class 6 and 7 chassis cabs will go on sale during the fourth quarter of 2011.
In the recent past, Ford has teamed up with country music star Toby Keith for special truck promotions and is now doing it again. The 2011 Super Duty has been generating quite a bit of buzz since it's introduction and now, Ford, in conjunction with Toby will be giving one of the trucks away as part of their American Ride Sweepstakes.
The contest is open to residents of the lower 48th and the District of Columbia who are at least 21 years of age at the time of the competition. Besides the truck, the winner will also receive as part of the prize; a full weekend on the road with Toby including transportation to and from the airport, exclusive use of their very own tour bus, plus all meals and exclusive back stage access.
The prize is in conjunction with Keith's latest American Ride tour, supported by fellow country star Trace Adkins, that began in Holmdel, New Jersey on June 19th. The tour will take in concerts in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. and other cities across the US.
"We're proud to have partnered with Toby Keith and to have the opportunity to award one lucky winner the chance of a lifetime," declared Ford spokesman Kevin Schebil.
Ford's brand-new 2011 Super Duty pickup is creating a dramatic boost in truck sales, with May the best sales month for the model in two years. Sales of the truck beat retail targets by 237 percent in May, and beat the overall sales target (including fleet sales) by 153 percent.
According to Ford Truck Marketing Manager Doug Scott the majority of buyers are opting for the F-250 Crew Cab model with four-wheel drive. Also popular is the new 6.7-liter PowerStroke diesel engine that makes 390-hp and 735 ft-lbs of torque. In total, 60 percent of buyers opted for this powerful new engine.
The popularity of the F-Series Super Duty helped Ford truck sales overall, with total F-Series sales jumping 49 percent in May for a 39 percent increase total for the first five months of 2010.
Since Ford spun off the Super Duty into a completely separate line from it's regular F-series, it's set the bar for the class in many respects. But as we all know, the competition doesn't exactly stand still, so to keep ahead and continue capturing the biggest slice of the market, updates are essential. For 2011, the folks from Dearborn have given the Super Duty a substantial makeover, including styling updates, new powertrain options, revised suspension, revamped interior and additional feature content not previously offered.
In terms of models and configurations, the '11 Super Duty is offered in 12 different models for 'personal use' buyers, beginning with the F-250 XL at $28,020, all the way up to the F-450 King Ranch, which lists at a not inexpensive MSRP of $62,375. Between them you have Lariat and King Ranch models of the F-250; XL, Lariat and King Ranch Editions of the F-350; plus the same trim levels on the biggie F-450. Regular and Supercab configurations are offered on all XL and XLT trims, while Lariat and King Ranch Editions are crew cab only.
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