2018 Ford F-150 Diesel Aims For 30 Mpg At EPA
Ford's F-150 may be a best-seller, but what the range has lacked for some time is a Power Stroke diesel: now, the blue oval is going to rectify that. The 2018 F-150 3.0 Power Stroke is headed to dealerships this spring, complete with an estimated EPA highway rating of 30 mpg. Not bad at all for a full-sized truck.
For the diesel engine itself, Ford's engineers have been cherry-picking components from the Super Duty's 6.7-liter version. Indeed, it's the same powertrain team that designed that which turned their collective hand to the smaller, 3.0-liter version. Even though it's smaller, though, it still should pack a punch.
Peak torque, for example, arrives at 1,750 rpm and there's 440 lb-ft. of it to play with. Ford says it should continue strong throughout the rpm range, too, paying dividends in particular if you're towing. Horsepower is 250 HP.
Towing capacity is 11,400 pounds, which – Ford is keen to highlight – is best-in-class. Payload capacity, meanwhile, is 2,020 pounds. A variable geometry turbocharger has been dropped in, which Ford says will cut turbo lag, while a common-rail fuel injection system helps with both performance and efficiency.
Dual fuel filters improve beak-in, and there's a case-aluminum oil pan and two-stage oil pump for a cut in parasitic loss. The same compacted-graphite iron block material and forged steel crank as used in the 2.7-liter EcoBoost has been carried over to the V6 diesel, too.
It's not the only change for the 2018 model year. Ford has thrown in stronger axles, for instance, adding robustness. For the diesel specifically, there's a mechanical engine-driven fan and dual radiator shutters, boosting performance at high temperatures or high altitudes.
The 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission is standard, and has been tweaked with the diesel in mind. That makes sure the F-150 makes the most of its low-rpm torque, for instance. It can also skip over gears as it changes, improving on responsiveness. Auto stop/start is standard, too.
Ford will be offering the V6 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel on the 4x2 and 4x4 F-150. It'll be optional on the 2018 F-150 Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum edition SuperCrew trucks with either a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed configuration, and SuperCab trucks with a 6.5-foot bed configuration. Fleet customers, meanwhile, will be able to spec it on all F-150 trims with SuperCrew 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed configurations and SuperCab trucks with a 6.5 foot bed. Pricing will be announced later this month, when dealers begin taking pre-orders.