AMERICA’S BEST-SELLER GETS A MAKEOVER

LA CAR & NEWS WIRE REPORT – Ford Motor Company says it’s launching the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup of any manufacturer. The new 3.7-liter V6 engine in the 2011 F-150 is claimed to deliver best-in-class 23 mpg highway, pending EPA certification. Moreover, Ford says its new 5.0-liter V8 engine is projected to deliver best-in-class 21 mpg highway, pending EPA certification. “The all-new engine lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150 is focused on delivering what matters most to truck customers – best-in-class power, capability, durability and fuel economy,” says Barb Samardzich, vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “Each engine offers an unequaled combination of these attributes.” The new 3.7-liter V6 is projected by Ford to deliver 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway in 4x2 configuration. The new 5.0-liter V8 is projected to deliver 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway in 4x2 configuration. “Seventy percent of F-150 customers said better fuel economy is what they’d like improved most in their truck,” says Doug Scott, Truck Group marketing manager. “The 2011 Ford F-150 does exactly that with best-in-class fuel economy, best-in-class capability and power, and more powertrain choices to suit their different needs.”

Ford says its new V6 and V8 will make up half of an all-new powertrain lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150, part of the most extensive engine makeover in the 62-year history of F-Series. Also new for 2011 are the 6.2-liter V8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ truck engine. The EcoBoost will be available in early 2011. Trucks with the 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 will arrive in dealer showrooms later this year. Each engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with gear ratios tailored for fuel efficiency. Ford boasts that its the only manufacturer to equip its entire full-size pickup lineup with six-speed gearboxes as standard. The 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission has been upgraded to bring available customer conveniences such as SelectShift capability with progressive range select and manual mode to the F-150 for the first time. Ford says the transmission has been optimized for each new engine. The transmission matched to the 3.7-liter engine, for example, has fewer clutch plates compared with the other F-150 engines. A one-way clutch, which allows for smoother 1-2 and 2-1 shifts, faster downshifts and improved fuel economy, has been added. The gear ratios, span and shift schedule have been optimized for better off-the-line performance and improved fuel economy. The double-overdrive gear also provides better fuel economy.

Another change for 2011 is electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) to the 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost powertrains. The EPAS system replaces a conventional hydraulic system, which runs continuously off the engine, with a system that draws power only when needed. Ford says it’s the first manufacturer to widely offer EPAS on full-size pickup trucks. EPAS contributes about a four percent fuel-economy benefit compared with conventional hydraulic systems. 3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6 The 3.7-liter’s key attributes include: • 23 mpg highway (4x2 configuration), pending final EPA certification. Also delivers 16 mpg city • 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm • 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm • 6,100 pounds maximum trailer tow • Ti-VCT (twin independent variable camshaft timing) creates precise, variable timing control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power, performance and fuel economy • E85 flex fuel capability • Piston-cooling jets, which squirt oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions • Forged-steel crankshaft for improved durability • Built at Cleveland Engine Plant

5.0-liter four-valve DOHC Ti-VCT V8 The 5.0-liter V8 in the 2011 F-150 includes: • 21 mpg highway (4x2 configuration), pending final EPA certification • 360 horsepower at 5,500 rpm • 380 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm • 10,000 pounds maximum trailer tow • Strengthened block and new cylinder head designed for performance and enhanced cooling • Intake camshafts, combined with Ti-VCT, composite intake manifold and optimized compression ratio for improved low-speed torque and towing capability • Forged-steel crank and a new oil cooler designed to enhance durability • Piston-cooling jets, which squirt oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions • E85 flex fuel capability • Built at Essex Engine Plant; Windsor, Ontario 6.2-liter two-valve SOHC V8 The 6.2-liter V8 is a premium engine offering on the 2011 F-150. It is now standard on F-150 SVT Raptor, with expanded offering on other specialty applications. Its attributes include: • 411 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm vs. all competitors • 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors • EPA-certified 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway (4x2 configuration) • Utilizes a large bore and shorter stroke. This approach to creating power has its roots in storied Ford racing engines. The large bore allows for larger intake and exhaust valves for improved engine airflow, and the short stroke allows higher engine speed for increased horsepower • Because of the large bore size, two spark plugs per cylinder are used to more efficiently burn the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, enabling better fuel economy and increased engine torque. The twin plugs also help maintain a smooth, stable idle • Built at Romeo (Mich.) Engine Plant 3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost A premium powertrain offering available after launch, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost has more torque than any competitors’ V8 with the fuel economy of a smaller-displacement engine, according to Ford. Its attributes include: • 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel • 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm on regular fuel • 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors • 3,060 pounds payload vs. all competitors • Up to 90 percent of peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm • Ti-VCT for variable timing control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power, performance and fuel economy • Intake and exhaust camshafts optimized for improved fuel economy and performance • Direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) valvetrain with polished buckets to reduce friction and improve fuel economy • Built at Cleveland Engine Plant For more information regarding Ford products, go to www.ford.com.