Where to begin? How long have Ford pickup truck enthusiasts been waiting for this piece of news? Years? More like decades! The best-selling full-size truck in North America will finally get a Power Stroke diesel engine to call all its own!
Let’s start by stating the obvious facts: The RAM 1500 has been available with an EcoDiesel engine for a number of years now, and the newest generation Nissan Titan XD’s sports an actual Cummins 5.0-litre V8 since its launch some two years ago. What’s more, even GM’s compact GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado can be spec’d out with a diesel. As you can see, Ford truck people have been patient.
But now is the time to rejoice! The Ford F-150’s all-new Power Stroke 3.0-litre V6 is part big-and-tough 6.7-litre Power Stroke and part high-tech 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6. The 3.0-litre blends proven commercial-grade technology from the V8 along with compacted-graphite iron block material construction and forged-steel crank used in the EcoBoost. All of this translates into durability, reduced weight, efficiency and power.
The answer to how much power is 250 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque as of 1,750 rpm. By comparison, the RAM’s turbodiesel V6 puts out 240 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,000 rpm. For the moment, the Ford’s got braggin’ rights, and two extra gears with its standard 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Ford will out-tow the RAM by some 2,200 lbs. with its 11,400 lbs. towing capacity. On top of that, the Ford’s EPA-rated 30 mpg (7.9L/100km) highway bests the RAM’s 27 mpg (8.7L/100km). As the 6th engine option for the 2018 Ford F-150, we think it will do well.
Dealers will begin taking orders as of next week for delivery in the spring. From what we can tell, the Power Stroke will not be offered on all trims and models. As well, pricing information was not available at the time of writing this story.
