For the first time, Ford is offering a diesel engine on its F-150 pickup.
The change is one of several coming for America’s best-selling pickup in the 2018 model year. The revamped truck goes on sale this fall, with the diesel option following in the summer of 2018.
The F-150 is just two years into a revolutionary change. In 2015, Ford started making the truck’s body out of aluminum to save weight and increase fuel economy. A few months ago, the company introduced a new 10-speed transmission for the truck.
The frequent updates show what a crucial vehicle the F-150 is for Ford, says Karl Brauer, the senior director of content at Cox Automotive. The F-150 has been the nation’s best-selling truck since 1977. Last year, Ford sold more than 820,000 F-Series pickup trucks; that’s 93 trucks every hour.
“They’re not even going to remotely keep it from being competitive,” Brauer said.
Ford Motor. Co offers diesel versions of its heavy-duty pickups, but hasn’t so far on the F-150. Todd Eckert, Ford’s truck marketing manager, said customers were asking for a diesel to improve towing capacity. Diesel engines are also more efficient, which will help Ford meet rising fuel economy standards.
Ford also needed a diesel for competitive reasons. The Nissan Titan and Ram 1500 pickups added diesels in the last few years, and Fiat Chrysler says diesels now make up 10 to 15 percent of its Ram sales.
Ford won’t say what percent of F-150 sales it expects to be diesels. It also won’t reveal projected fuel economy.
The new truck will still be aluminum-sided, but each trim level will have a new grille that looks wider and more horizontal than the current one. A big “F-150” will now be stamped into the tailgate. There are also new wheel designs.
In addition to the 3.0-liter diesel, engine choices include a new 3.3-liter V6 and upgraded versions of Ford’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 and 5.0-liter V8. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 released this year will also be available.
Ford has added optional safety features, including automatic braking with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic. The new truck will also serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices.
Ford showed off the truck Monday at the North American International Auto Show. It will be made at plants in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City, Missouri.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
I’m glad to see Ford continues to improve its top sellers. I’m glad to see these trucks will be made in the United States.
I like Ford products. I only wish they had an answer to GM’s OnStar. If they did, I’d buy a new Ford tomorrow.
Bought a f350 last month. Stolen in 3 days. No real antitheft solution from Ford. Replacement is a 3500HD Duramax, until Ford has a onstar feature I’m out… Regardless of how much I love the design principles.
Sadly Dearborn, Michigan can no longer be considered “in The United States” . . . .
Thank you Donald Trump
Say that again, only louder. The USA needs to hear that!
Still a little over a week to go before President elect Trump becomes OUR President, and he has done more for OUR country than O’ bum did in eight years…..
I am doing a resto-mod 1940 ford PU with a 99′ Mustang 3.8 V-6 with an AOD transmission It was a field find and needs a lot of body work. As the 40′ PU is very popular, can I call it a 2018 Ford, as it will have all the modern whistles and bells. ????
Iike the idea. Remember the Ford 49 concept car from around 20 years ago? There are still pictures of it to be found on the internet…
William: I think they call it a restro rod. That’s a classic car that has all the modern conveniences.
Dearborn truck = Islamic truck
W.T.F. ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT,DOES THAT MAKE A CHEVY A K.K.K. TRUCK..?
It’s not the first time they had a diesel in that truck