Ford is stressing fuel economy improvements on its new 2009 model year F-150 pickup.
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On sale in October, the new F-150 offers fuel economy that has improved an average of 8 percent across the entire lineup as a result of a wide-range of engineering enhancements. The fuel economy gains reach as high as 12 percent versus the prior model year on F-150 models equipped with the high-volume 3-valve, 5.4-litre V-8 engine.
At the same time, Ford says, the new F-150 delivers class-leading towing capability of 11,300 pounds and hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds — a combination no other competitor can match, Ford claims.
In addition, Ford is announcing the introduction of the new F-150 SFE “superior fuel economy” (SFE) edition delivering up to 21 miles per gallon on the highway while still providing 7,500 pounds of towing capability — fuel economy that Ford claims is unsurpassed in the full-size pickup segment.
“Ford has committed to have the best or equal to the best fuel economy with every new product we introduce, and we are delivering with the new F-150,” said Matt O’Leary, Ford F-150 chief engineer. “Fuel economy has moved from 10th to third place among pickup buyers’ top purchase considerations — right behind durability and value. The new F-150 delivers on all three as the industry leader.”
The new SFE package will be available on F-150 SuperCrew XL and XLT 4X2 vehicles with 4.6-litre, 3-valve V-8 engines and 5.5-foot beds. The SFE pickup will achieve 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.
The SFE package trucks also feature a new fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission, a 3.15:1 rear axle and 18-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels with low rolling resistance P265/60R18 all-season tyres.
“Earning the trust of so many truck customers during the past 31 years has taught us a lot about what they want and value from their F-150,” O’Leary said. “In the past, there was a tradeoff — more fuel economy meant less capability and vice versa. With the new F-150, we didn’t accept tradeoffs. We delivered capability and fuel economy.”
The 8 percent improvement in fuel economy across the entire lineup of the 8 F-150s is the result of using lightweight ultra-high-strength steel to lighten the truck up to 100 pounds versus the current model and aerodynamic refinements.
Key aero improvements for the new F-150 include:
- A new chamfered shape to the rear of the cab, which incorporated the center-high-mount stop lamp. This shape helps direct aerodynamic wake over the pickup box efficiently.
- The top of the tailgate, which angles outward to create a bold lip. This wider surface at the top of the tailgate works with the cab chamfering to direct airflow over the box efficiently.
- The front bumper valence and spoiler design, which has been improved to better manage airflow underneath the truck without compromising off-roading.
In addition, as part of the fuel economy improvements, Ford’s powertrain team delivered technology upgrades to make the F-150 powertrains more efficient.
The new six-speed automatic transmission offers a wider gear ratio span than four-speed transmissions, allowing engineers the flexibility to have responsiveness in low gears and better fuel economy in the taller gears. The new double-overdrive gearbox is designed to contribute a 4 to 6 percent fuel economy improvement.
Both the 5.4-litre and 4.6-litre 3-valve V-8 engines utilise open valve injection. This feature improves the air/fuel charge conditions in the combustion chamber, allowing greater spark advance at higher loads and engine speeds. This delivers increased horsepower during towing and higher rpm operations, lower emissions and more efficient use of fuel.
The F-150 also regulates gas consumption by using aggressive deceleration fuel shut-off. The fuel shut-off is automatic and requires no unusual actions from the driver. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the system temporarily turns off the fuel. The flow of fuel seamlessly resumes when the truck reaches a low speed or the driver accelerates again.
To prevent engine hesitation normally associated with fuel interruption, Ford’s powertrain team developed proprietary software to integrate the technology with the F-150’s powertrains.
