Ford F150 EcoBoost

[Gnam]

The new top of the line engine for the F150 pickup is the EcoBoost twin turbo V6. It produces more hp & torque than the 5.0L V8 option, can tow more, gets better mileage, and is selling like hot cakes.

Still, a twin turbo V6 just seems wrong in a pickup.

Anybody seened one yet?

[devilmaster]

I'd love to swap that in instead of the 5.9L V8 bohemoth that is the engine in my 00 Durango....

[extramundane]

Facilities director at work has been looking at them heavily and likes what he sees so far. The only issue is that there are a TON of lightly-used couple-year-old F150s on the used market for cheap right now.

'Course, what he really wants is a new Ranger with a turbo diesel 4, but we all know that America doesn't want diesels or pickups smaller than a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. :gomer:

[racer2c]

I read a prediction last year that turbos will be all the rage and we're starting to see that come into play. I watched a few minutes of the Detroit auto show they other day and they had, what the Ford spokesman claimed was the first full size family sedan of any make, to house a 4 cylinder. 2.0ltr, direct injection 237hp (turbo), ~30 mpg hw.

[Tifosi24]

Facilities director at work has been looking at them heavily and likes what he sees so far. The only issue is that there are a TON of lightly-used couple-year-old F150s on the used market for cheap right now.

'Course, what he really wants is a new Ranger with a turbo diesel 4, but we all know that America doesn't want diesels or pickups smaller than a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. :gomer:

He can dream that dream forever since, unless Ford makes the Ranger somewhere else, the little truck will be gone from this market. Ford is going to put the Highland Park plant on the market sometime next year. It makes sense though since it is likely the only auto plant in North America, or maybe in the world, located in the middle of an upper-middle class/wealthy neighborhood and with scenic views for good measure.

[extramundane]

He can dream that dream forever since, unless Ford makes the Ranger somewhere else, the little truck will be gone from this market.

Ford is building a new Ranger for almost every market in the world except the US.

[opinionated ow]

I read a prediction last year that turbos will be all the rage and we're starting to see that come into play. I watched a few minutes of the Detroit auto show they other day and they had, what the Ford spokesman claimed was the first full size family sedan of any make, to house a 4 cylinder. 2.0ltr, direct injection 237hp (turbo), ~30 mpg hw.

That engine is going in the Australian built Ford Falcon. They really should export that to you guys...

[WickerBill]

So who is Ford ceding the small pickup market to? I don't even know the players anymore. Toyota? Does GM still sell the Colorado I-5?

Always liked the Ranger.

[cameraman]

The Chevrolet Colorado, the Nissan Frontier, the Ram Dakota and the Toyota Tacoma.

[nrc]

From what I've read the global Ranger is a bit bigger than the current Ranger. I wouldn't be surprised if they're afraid of cannibalizing F150 sales. Also for a lot of the light commercial uses that the Ranger was seeing, the Transit Connect is probably a better choice.

It's surprising how much Ranger sales have dropped over the years given gas prices. Still, if fuel prices don't bring the Ranger here then I imagine the CAFE rules will eventually.

[datachicane]

Not a fan of trucks, but this wouldn't suck as a Ranger sub:


http://www.drivethecars.net/images/Ford-FG_Falcon_Ute_XR6_Turbo_2008_photo_04.jpg

[opinionated ow]

Not a fan of trucks, but this wouldn't suck as a Ranger sub:


http://www.drivethecars.net/images/Ford-FG_Falcon_Ute_XR6_Turbo_2008_photo_04.jpg

Strictly speaking, you're safe because that ain't a truck. It's a ute (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup%C3%A9_utility)...

[Cam]

Not a fan of trucks, but this wouldn't suck as a Ranger sub:

Go with Holden rather than a Chook tin. :D

[extramundane]

The Chevrolet Colorado, the Nissan Frontier, the Ram Dakota and the Toyota Tacoma.

I don't think those qualify as "small" anymore. My last-gen Frontier is pretty sizeable, and the current gen is suffering from worse model bloat than Tyra Banks.


From what I've read the global Ranger is a bit bigger than the current Ranger. I wouldn't be surprised if they're afraid of cannibalizing F150 sales.

Could be, but I've heard the Ford talking heads use the "Americans don't want small trucks" line over and over again. Of course, they only gave the ranger, what, one real face lift in 25 years? I guess they figured since it worked for the E-series vans...

[cameraman]

I don't think those qualify as "small" anymore.

They are the smallest although they are hardly small.
They don't sell anything small anymore.

[racer2c]

The Dakota is slated to be replaced with what they are referring to as a 'life style' vehicle i.e. full frame replaced with unibody. Ironically, I'm sure they will put the new 300hp Pentestar V6 into it which is 65hp more than the old V8 and gets 12mpg better mileage.

[indyfan31]

I'm really impressed with the Hybrid technology in our Escape, so I can't wait to see this (http://wot.motortrend.com/2013-ford-f-series-super-duty-trucks-to-get-electrifying-option-101837.html) trickle down to the f150/250 series.

[Gnam]

O h snap! Fully electric pickup made in the USA for less than $10k. :D

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/frankenbug-sale_582018.html


http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/172/frankenbug1.jpg
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/9356/frankenbug2.jpg

[cameraman]

Hmmm, it has a 25 mile range. It would handle my commute quite nicely. I wonder what happens to the range when the temps drop below zero....

[emjaya]

Go with Holden rather than a Chook tin. :D

You can't overload the Holden.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs016.snc4/34178_412932161031_702056031_4838035_7786803_n.jpg

[emjaya]

They are the smallest although they are hardly small.
They don't sell anything small anymore.

We get the Proton Jumbuck (http://www.proton.com.au/jumbuck/specifications). I wouldn't want to crash one, but there is a lot of them getting around.

[diamond dave]

the 'World' Ranger is almost 85-90% in size of a F150. Ford is still making good $ on the F150, they wouldn't make as much on the new Ranger. It's a shame because they have some killer diesel(s) too:irked: with the world Ranger.
rumor is that nissan and cummings are teaming up for a mid/full size pick up with a 4 cylinder oil burner:thumbup:

[nrc]

We get the Proton Jumbuck (http://www.proton.com.au/jumbuck/specifications). I wouldn't want to crash one, but there is a lot of them getting around.

What? Proton Chumbucket?

[datachicane]

Moltron Bumchucket?