Ford has announced a completely new engine lineup for the 2011 F-150. The engines range from the twin-turbo EcoBoost six cylinder to the rompin’ stompin’ 411hp 6.2L engine that was first showcased in the Raptor R in 2008. Power starts at 300 hp from the six and climbs from there. 

The entirely new set of motors seem ready to take on the GM lineup which have been the gold standard in the half-ton truck market for some time now. Power levels are right there to compete and the fact that the trucks will feature a six-speed automatic as standard equipment seems to indicate that economy will be strong as well. 

While the CAFE average and other governmental impositions seem to be closing in around the auto industry and the vaunted V8 engine specifically, it is awesome to see a new line of mills come out that perform at a high level in both the fields of raw performance and fuel economy.

We’ll take a stripped, 2WD F-150 with a 6.2 as a tester. It would be fun to humiliate unsuspecting victims at the strip with!

Thanks to BangShifter FastEd for the tip! 

 

Here’s the full release from Ford:

• The powertrain lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150 features four new truck
  engines: a 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8s, and a twin-turbocharged
  EcoBoost™ 3.5-liter
• Headlining the engine lineup is a new twin-turbo EcoBoost engine with Ti-VCT
  that has been specifically tuned, calibrated and tested for durability and
  reliability
• Each new engine delivers best-in-class towing and horsepower. The entire
  2011 F-150 lineup will be at least 20 percent more fuel efficient than the 2010
  F-150 lineup
• Ford is the first and only automaker to equip its entire full-size pickup
  lineup with fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmissions as standard
  equipment

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 11, 2010 – For the 2011 model year, the Ford F-150 is
getting the most extensive powertrain overhaul in the truck’s history. The 2011
F-150 has four new truck engines, all coupled to a revised six-speed automatic
transmission.

Each engine delivers improved fuel economy, outstanding performance and
class-leading capability. This versatile new powertrain lineup enables F-150
customers to choose the engine that best suits their needs

Available at launch are a 3.7-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8, each with
fuel-saving and performance-enhancing twin independent variable camshaft timing
(Ti-VCT) technology, and a version of the 6.2-liter V8 that is the base engine
in the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty. A 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, specially
tuned and calibrated for the F-150, will be available in early 2011. Each of the
engines offers an unequaled combination of attributes that matter most to F-150
customers: torque, horsepower, fuel economy, performance, durability,
reliability and capability. The 2011 F-150 lineup will deliver best-in-class
fuel economy. When the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine joins the lineup, the 2011
F-150 will have up to 20 percent better fuel economy compared with the outgoing
2010 F-150.

“Our new engine lineup allows greater flexibility for customers to select the
powertrain choice that best suits their needs,” said Barb Samardzich, vice
president of Powertrain Engineering. “We are in the midst of a powertrain
revolution, with 30 new powertrains over the next two years, and our loyal F-150
customers are the next ones to benefit.”

Extensive testing program to ensure truck application
To
ensure the highest quality, most reliable engines, Ford engineers studied the
warranty history of the outgoing engines and developed testing procedures based
on the real-world driving experiences from current F-150 drivers. 

Prototype engines underwent a wide range of tests to ensure complete
compatibility with truck application and truck durability, with all components
and systems passing testing to the equivalent of 150,000 miles. Components such
as the exhaust manifolds and the crankshaft (forged steel) were upgraded,
piston-cooling jets and oil coolers were added, and engines were specifically
calibrated for improved heavy-duty operation and durability in F-150.

“Truck customers demand an engine that delivers outstanding low-speed torque
to help tow or move heavy payloads, and sustained high-load, low-speed operation
is a key attribute they look for,” said Samardzich. “The engine lineup for the
2011 Ford F-150 has been tuned specifically for truck operation needs and
optimized for fuel economy. The result is a lineup that delivers class-leading
towing and payload capability with outstanding horsepower, torque and fuel
economy.”

Here are the highlights of each new engine:

3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6
The 3.7-liter will be the
most powerful, capable and fuel-efficient base V6 of any truck in its class. Key
attributes include:

• Best-in-class 300 horsepower (estimated) at 6,500 rpm
• 275 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm
• Class-leading fuel economy
• Best-in-class 6,100 pounds maximum trailer tow
• Ti-VCT 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

The 3.7-liter V6 powering the base 2011 F-150 is the latest application of
the award-winning Duratec® V6 engine, with additional technology and upgrades
for truck application. In particular, more work was done on the bottom end of
the engine, a strong point of all Duratec V6 engines.

“This is a well-designed engine with a massive amount of attention to detail
around the block and the structure of the block,” said Jim Mazuchowski, V6
engines program manager. “This attention to the stiffness and rigidity of the
bottom end, how the engine is fastened with four-bolt mains and two side bolts,
enhances durability and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).”

Other enhancements for durability include a forged-steel crankshaft,
cast-iron exhaust manifolds and a die-cast aluminum oil pan, which supports a
10,000-mile interval for oil changes. The design of the cylinder bore and piston
rings has been optimized for efficient lubrication.

In addition to engine durability, Ti-VCT leads a host of technologies that
increase overall engine efficiency. Ti-VCT’s precise and variable control of the
intake and exhaust camshafts optimizes performance and fuel economy. The piston
squirters enable faster engine warm-up, and the polished buckets reduce
friction, which aids fuel economy.

5.0-liter four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V8
The
5.0-liter V8 in the 2011 F-150 offers many class bests compared with
competitors’ entry-level V8s, including:

• Best-in-class 360 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 380 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250
  rpm
• Class-leading fuel economy
• Best-in-class 9,800 pounds maximum trailer tow
• New strengthened block and new cylinder head optimized for performance and
  enhanced cooling
• Unique 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 all-new oil cooler 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

While this 5.0-liter V8 engine is similar to the one powering the 2011
Mustang GT, it has several important differences to optimize it for the harsh
duty cycle truck customers demand. First, the camshafts were tuned to improve
low-speed torque, which is key to truck customers. Also, the 10.5:1 compression
ratio was optimized to reduce knock tendency at lower engine speeds while
towing.

The hardware added to the 5.0 specifically for F-150 includes: an additional
oil cooler, which helps extend the life of the oil to 10,000-mile intervals;
foam covers for the fuel injectors to reduce NVH; and cast exhaust manifolds for
improved durability. The new aluminum block is 70 pounds lighter than the
5.4-liter V8, which aids fuel economy and improves handling. The engine’s
forged-steel crankshaft also ensures durability.

“This engine uses proven technology to deliver a great combination of
low-speed torque and fuel economy with the durability F-150 customers demand,”
said Mike Harrison, V8 engine programs manager.

6.2-liter two-valve single-overhead-camshaft
V8
The 6.2-liter V8 is a premium engine offering on the 2011
F-150, with an expanded offering to F-150 SVT Raptor and other specialty
applications. Its attributes include:

• Best-in-class 411 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500
  rpm
• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow
• Competitive fuel economy
• Durability of race-proven components and technology showcased in November
  2008 when a 6.2-liter Raptor R not only survived the grueling Baja 1000, it
  earned a podium finish. The same engine went on to complete every mile of the
  2009 Best in the Desert series
• 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 the
  engine maintain a smooth, stable idle
• Built at Romeo (Mich.) Engine Plant

The 6.2-liter V8, standard on the 2011 F-Series Super Duty, is uniquely tuned
for the F-150 with a special cam profile. The engine will be standard on the
2011 F-150 SVT Raptor and other specialty applications, and pumps out up to 411
horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque – making the F-150 the most powerful truck
in its class. 

“This engine has tons of torque, and already has been proved in the field
with both the F-150 SVT Raptor and Super Duty,” said Harrison.

3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost
The 3.5-liter EcoBoost is a
premium engine offering available after launch with power comparable to a
naturally aspirated V8 and projected class-leading fuel economy. Its attributes
include:

• Ti-VCT creates precise, variable timing control of both the intake and
  exhaust camshafts to optimize power, performance and fuel economy
• Fuel economy improves up to 20 percent versus 2010 model year F-150
  5.4-liter V8
• Improved intake and exhaust camshafts optimized for improved fuel economy
  and performance
• Cast exhaust manifolds for heavy-duty operation and durability
• Improved manifold and cylinder heads for improved performance
• Direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) valvetrain with polished buckets to
  reduce friction and improve fuel economy
• Built at Cleveland Engine Plant

Transmission features customer-driven enhancements
Ford
Motor Company is the first and only manufacturer to equip its entire full-size
pickup truck lineup with fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmissions as
standard.

For the first time, a six-speed automatic transmission is standard in F-150
on all engines. Several available enhancements have been added to the proven
6R80 transmission to help F-150 customers tow more easily, including SelectShift
with both progressive range select and manual functions.

Progressive range select allows the customer to reduce the range of available
gears while in Drive. When the customer taps down into range select mode, the
display shows the available gears and highlights the current gear state. This
feature allows the driver to limit the use of upper gears when heavily loaded or
while towing on grades.

With SelectShift, customers can get full manual function by pulling the shift
lever into “M” for manual mode and then select the gear desired by pressing the
“ ” button for upshifts or the “-” button for downshifts. The control system
will hold that gear for a full manual transmission feel.

The new engines for the Ford F-150 follow the all-new engine lineup for the
2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty introduced earlier this year and highlighted by
the 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbocharged diesel, which delivers best-in-class
torque, horsepower and fuel economy.

“The new powertrain lineup for the 2011 F-150 will provide a wide range of
choices to customers to suit their needs, each tested for maximum durability and
reliability with outstanding fuel economy,” said Samardzich