Question of the Week: Is Ford’s New Diesel Engine for the 2018 F-150 Appealing to You?
Ford announced at the 2017 North American International Auto Show that the 2018 F-150, would offer a new 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel V6. Specifications weren’t released, but there is a good chance that this new engine is comparable to the 3.0-liter diesel that the Blue Oval provides to Land Rover.
In the 2017 Range Rover, the 3.0-liter diesel produces 254-horsepower and 443-lb-ft of torque. In addition, it features an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The new 3.0-liter diesel should be somewhat similar to the Range Rover engine, and while it could have different specs, let’s assume for the sake of discussion that will be identical.
The horsepower level seems a little low relative to the rest of the current F-150 engine lineup, but 443-lb-ft of torque would make it among the most powerful engines in the new F-150 – with only the 3.5-liter EcoBoost packing more twist. More importantly, 254-horsepower and 443-lb-ft of torque would give the Ford an overall advantage over the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, which delivers 240-horsepower and 420-lb-ft of torque. Therefore, Ford would likely offer greater towing and hauling capabilities.
Regardless of horsepower, the 3.0-liter PowerStroke diesel mated to the new 10-speed automatic transmission will surely make the half-ton Ford the most fuel-efficient truck on the market. Right now, the Ram EcoDiesel holds that claim with a highway figure of 29-mpg. We’re sure that’s one area where Ford will look to knock off the cross-town rivals.
In summary, if the 2018 Ford F-150 3.0L PowerStroke diesel were to offer 254-horsepower, and 443-lb-ft of torque, would you consider it for your next new truck?
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
