Automotive

Torque bump for Ford's 2017 F-150 engine, which pairs with 10 speed transmission

Torque bump for Ford's 2017 F-150 engine, which pairs with 10 speed transmission
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine is a second-generation version of the twin-turbo, high-compression engine that debuted in the F-150 as a V8-replacing V6 option
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine is a second-generation version of the twin-turbo, high-compression engine that debuted in the F-150 as a V8-replacing V6 option
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The 3.5L engine has injectors at the intake port and inside the cylinder, which maximizes fuel spray to better control the engine’s burn rate
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The 3.5L engine has injectors at the intake port and inside the cylinder, which maximizes fuel spray to better control the engine’s burn rate
This new 10-speed automatic transmission upgrades from the six-speed transmission of the 2016 F-150
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This new 10-speed automatic transmission upgrades from the six-speed transmission of the 2016 F-150
The new 10-speed has three overdrive gears and enabling lower rear-end axle ratings without losing towing power
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The new 10-speed has three overdrive gears and enabling lower rear-end axle ratings without losing towing power
The new transmission is also the first gearbox Ford has made that doesn’t include cast iron components
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The new transmission is also the first gearbox Ford has made that doesn’t include cast iron components
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine is a second-generation version of the twin-turbo, high-compression engine that debuted in the F-150 as a V8-replacing V6 option
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The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine is a second-generation version of the twin-turbo, high-compression engine that debuted in the F-150 as a V8-replacing V6 option
Ford also upgraded the turbochargers to add more boost thanks to a lighter turbine wheel with better RPM efficiency
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Ford also upgraded the turbochargers to add more boost thanks to a lighter turbine wheel with better RPM efficiency
The new 3.5L engine has a lot of efficiency upgrades and lightweighting for this new generation
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The new 3.5L engine has a lot of efficiency upgrades and lightweighting for this new generation
View gallery - 7 images

The 2017 Ford F-150 pickup truck will include the latest-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine as an option, adding 30 lb-ft of torque to its output. This will mate to a new 10-speed automatic transmission to aid performance and capitalize on the now best-in-class torque values of the new engine.

The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine is a second-generation version of the twin-turbo, high-compression engine that debuted in the F-150 as a V8-replacing V6 option. The 3.5L engine and its 2.7-liter EcoBoost brother make up 60 percent of the F-150's total sales, which bucks the trend of truck buyers usually demanding an eight-cylinder engine with their pickup.

The 3.5L engine has injectors at the intake port and inside the cylinder, which maximizes fuel spray to better control the engine’s burn rate
The 3.5L engine has injectors at the intake port and inside the cylinder, which maximizes fuel spray to better control the engine’s burn rate

The 3.5L engine has injectors at the intake port and inside the cylinder, which maximizes fuel spray to better control the engine's burn rate. This prevents misfires and improves fuel efficiency while lowering emissions. Ford also upgraded the turbochargers to add more boost thanks to a lighter turbine wheel with better RPM efficiency and electrically-activated wastegates.

This improves responsiveness, making lower RPM responses better, which lowers the RPM curve for torque output. Other engine improvements include hollow camshafts, a new roller-finger follower valvetrain, and other upgrades to shed engine weight. Auto Start-Stop is now standard in the 3.5L as well, improving city fuel economy and slightly lowering emissions.

This new 10-speed automatic transmission upgrades from the six-speed transmission of the 2016 F-150
This new 10-speed automatic transmission upgrades from the six-speed transmission of the 2016 F-150

The new 3.5L EcoBoost engine with its twin turbochargers now outputs 450 lb-feet (610 Nm) of torque, a best-in-class number for a V6. Aiding the improved output of the new engine is a new 10-speed automatic transmission. This upgrades from the six-speed transmission found in the 2016 model year, giving three overdrive gears and enabling lower rear-end axle ratings without losing towing power and improving fuel efficiency at highway speeds.

The new transmission is also the first gearbox from Ford that doesn't include cast iron components. It sheds weight in several ways, with 2 lb (900 g) being lost just by combining the torque converter and turbine clutch.

The engine is being built in the soon-to-be-revamped Cleveland Engine Plant in Ohio, while the transmission will be made at the Livonia Transmission Plant in Michigan, which is receiving a major overhaul now.

Ford is yet to reveal what fuel economy gains these improvements will bring to the F-150 when it goes on sale this (Northern Hemisphere) autumn.

Source: Ford

View gallery - 7 images
6 comments
6 comments
DaveSpicer
Did you mean lower rear axle ratios rather than ratings?
MarylandUSA
A 10-speed auto-manual; amazing. Here's hoping this achievement hints at an 8-speed version for Ford's smaller engines, like the engines found on the Fiesta and Focus. Their 6-speed is decent--my Fiesta gets 39-41 mpg in mixed driving--but more gears would make it even more efficient.
LKT1
A turbo-charged V-6 and a 10 speed automatic transmission; these will be a double whammy on your pocket book when they break down (and they will). Before buying one of these you should ask a transmission shop how much will it cost for an overhaul. I'm willing to bet it will be in the $4,000+ range. These trucks will literally be disposable because you won't be able to afford to fix them. Then the question needs to be asked about durability. Will they even make it to 200K? So who cares if they get great gas mileage if you end up paying a fortune just to keep them running.
guzmanchinky
I'm excited for this kind of towing power, My Expedition with the 5.4 V8 has been bulletproof reliable, but gets a measly 14 when I'm not towing, and 10 when I am. That said, it's a very simple system, and I worry that adding turbos and 6 extra gears might complicate things to the point that it becomes unreliable. My wife always says "do you know why our dual zone electronic climate control system in our truck never breaks down?" "Because it doesn't have one"...
MarylandUSA
LKT1, Ford's automatics are simple auto-manuals like VW's; a 10-speed has almost as few moving parts as a 6-speed. They have vastly fewer moving parts than a "wet" automatic transmission. But they are sealed and can be serviced--or not--only by Ford.
Calson
Ford is the only pickup truck manufacturer that is making a serious effort to improve the fuel economy of its vehicles. Although understandable as the F-150 is critical to the company's profitability, it is still noteworthy as Ram and GM and Toyota have largely stood still with their pickup trucks and with Toyota the fuel economy has gotten worse over the past 10 years.