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Ford F-150 Ecoboost

Ford's massively popular US pick-up gets all new high-tech petrol engine - we head to Detroit to try it out

Ford F-150 Ecoboost front

By Jack Rix

January 2011

  • Rating:
America’s best-selling truck has been given a boost! As well as a new diesel, Ford’s Focus gets new EcoBoost petrol engines – and the 2.2-tonne F-150 pick-up is benefiting from the technology, too.

Now in its 12th generation, the F-Series truck has been a huge success story for Ford. At its 2004 peak, 939,511 found homes in the US in a single year – that’s nearly one sold every 30 seconds! But the blue oval isn’t resting on its laurels.

All EcoBoost petrol engines get direct-injection and a turbo. And while the 1.6 and 2.0-litre units are already established, and a 1.0 three-cylinder is on the way, the F-150 requires something more substantial. 

Under the bonnet is a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 with 360bhp and 570Nm of torque. It’s billed as the premium engine in the range, and eclipses the current top-spec 5.0-litre V8 by 5bhp and 55Nm, while returning 1.4mpg more, at 26.4mpg. Climb aboard, and you’re faced with a dash layout that strikes a neat blend of ruggedness and luxury.

The latter is a bonus, though, as the F-150 has always been designed as a workhorse first and foremost.
Put your foot down and, once the ponderous six-speed auto has picked a ratio, there’s a surprising turn of pace given the car’s size.

Of course, it doesn’t have the signature V8 burble – instead there’s a turbo whistle under heavy throttle – but in every other respect the EcoBoost is more than a match for the larger unit.

Huge torque at low revs makes the engine perfect for the F-150 – it can even tow a 30-foot boat.
Thanks to the light steering and a vagueness to the major controls, the handling is tricky – as we discovered during several laps of Ford’s test track in Dearborn, Michigan. 

But cornering agility isn’t the point of this car. More important is the high-set seating position, which gives a great view of the road ahead, and the surprising refinement. It all adds up to a traditional American driving experience, which is powered by a thoroughly modern engine.

Rival: VW Amarok
The Amarok boasts the solid build quality for which the German firm is famous, allied to a sophisticated 4WD system, ample load bed and spacious cabin. A truly premium pick-up.

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3 Comments

Aerodynamics of a brick,and that dashboard looks like it's made of tinfoil.

By armac31 on 3 February, 2011, 9:08am

Aerodynamics of a brick,and that dashboard looks like it's made of tinfoil.

By armac31 on 3 February, 2011, 9:44am

Theres a naffing great hole on the right of the dashboard. The Transit van is much better inside.

By Kingbob12 on 4 February, 2011, 5:19pm

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Pictures

Ford F-150 Ecoboost front
Ford F-150 rear
Ford F-150 interior
Ford F-150 Ecoboost engine

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FIRST OPINION

    It’s easy to see why the F-150 has been such a hit in the US. It offers space for five, huge towing and carrying abilities and is top value. Efficiency is increasingly important to American drivers – which is why the powerful, but relatively frugal, V6 EcoBoost is a step in the right direction. Sadly, in the UK it’s import only – which will bump up one of its most attractive features: the price.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: From ,440 (£15,900)
    Engine: 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
    Transmission: Six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
    Power: 360bhp
    Torque: 570Nm
    0-62mph: 7.0 seconds (est)
    Economy: 26.4mpg
    Equipment: Electric windows, CD stereo, electric power-steering, 4.2-inch display, rear view camera, SYNC Bluetooth connectivity 
    On sale: Now (US)
     
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