Ford F-150 to get diesel engine, new face for 2018
ALL- NEW 3.0- L V6
Ford’s F-150 pickup will soon be getting a diesel engine for the first time, one of several changes coming to Canada’s bestselling vehicle for the 2018 model year.
Revealed a day before the truck’s debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, Ford’s new F-150 will receive an all- new 3.0- litre V6 Power Stroke diesel engine, paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission that is now l aunching with the 2017 truck. While Ford did not reveal power figures, it’s a safe bet the new motor will have more than Ram’s EcoDiesel, which currently boasts 240 horsepower and 420 poundfeet of torque.
WHAT IS IT?
Only three years after a completely new F-150, such significant changes in a traditionally slow- changing segment underline Ford’s fierce determination to stay ahead in the highly competitive truck market, not to mention its desire to keep the F-150 North America’s bestselling truck.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Ford and its F- 150 are often seen as the benchmark for trucks but, until now, have lost key sales to Ram’s 1500 and its EcoDiesel. While Ford offers a diesel in its heavy- duty trucks, the introduction of a diesel to the half- ton class is game changing.
The current gasoline 3.5L V6 will also be going, replaced by a 3.3- L V6 with direct- i njection and t he same horsepower and torque — 282 hp and 253 lb- ft. The 2.7- L EcoBoost will now get direct and port injection as well as an expected power boost, although no official figures were released. The 5.0- L V8 also gets revisions and will now be paired with the 10- speed transmission, too.
The F-150’s exterior also gets design tweaks, most notably in its face, with new headlamps, grilles, bumpers, wheel designs ( up to 22- inch) and stamped tailgate and tail lamps. New systems, such as pedestrian detection and 4G Wi-Fi, add to the truck’s many competitive features.
WHEN WILL CANADA GET IT?
The 2018 F-150 will be on sale this fall.
SHOULD YOU BUY IT?
Now that it has the diesel we’ve all been asking for, there’s no reason not to.