by Jason Giacchino

While it seems that the rest of the civilized world will get to experience the Ford Ranger Diesel for 2012, the United States market has to be content with the F-series Super Duty diesel options. But it’s hard to imagine needing more than best-in-class torque, power, and fuel economy.

Many enthusiasts were hoping 2012 would be the year Ford opted to offer the diesel package in the venerable F-150, especially considering that the foreign Ranger diesels are roughly 90% of the size of our domestic F150 (which is why Ford isn’t bothering to release the model here in the first place). Sadly it appears wishful thinkers are going to have to place hope in 2013 for a diesel F150.

The new global Ranger is offering two new diesel engine options, both of which might eventually find their way into the F-150. The first is the 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a peak torque output of 375 Nm and maximum power output of 110 kW. The larger diesel option is the 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a stump-pulling maximum torque of 470 Nm and power rated at 147 kW.



For American diesel customers,  the tried and true Power Stroke in the gravel spitting Ford Super Duty will have to suffice. Ford’s Super Duty series (F250, F350 & F450) are all being offered with the battle-tested 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel overhead valve (32-valve) engine package as an alternative to the 6.2L 2-valve V8 gas-burner. In 2011, The 6.7L Power Stroke was built from scratch by a dedicated team of Ford Engineers who concentrated on creating the best diesel truck engine around. Best to the tune of 400 horsepower @ 2800RPM and 800lb./ft @ 1600 for torque.

The 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel diesel engine has 11 percent more peak horsepower and 12 percent more peak torque than the 2010 diesel engine it replaced. 2012 looks identical to the 2011 configuration. Despite its power, it's quieter than previous diesels. Perhaps best of all, the Turbo Diesel is designed to accept Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel and B20 fuel (20% biodiesel mixed with 80% petrodiesel).



Ford engineers have designed this engine to do everything Super Duty owners demand, and that includes providing reliable service for hundreds of thousands of miles. And the 6.7L Power Stroke does it better than anyone else.

The 2012 Super Duties break down as follows: F250 starting at $29,225, F350 starting at $29,945 and the F450 starting at $49,940. More information on the 2012 Super Duty Diesel as well as the plethora of build/ trim options are available at Ford.com.

What do you think? Should Ford release an F-150 diesel option? Shout off in the forums!