Ford News: 2017 Ford F-150 to Get 10-Speed Automatic, Second-Generation 3.5L EcoBoost

[William Maley]

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2017 will be an important year for the Ford F-150 as the blue oval will be introducing the second-generation of the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and a ten-speed automatic transmission.

 

The second-generation 3.5L EcoBoost is completely all-new with the block, heads, turbochargers, and other components changed. A key item Ford points out with the 3.5 engine is that it features direct injection and port fuel injection - basically two injectors for each cylinder. In low-load situations, the engine uses only the port fuel injection as it is said to be more efficient. During heavy-load situations, both injection systems are used to provide maximum power.

 

Horsepower still stands at 365. Torque has increased from 420 to 450 pound-feet, making the 3.5L the one of the torquiest engines in a full-size, light-duty truck (GM's 6.2L V8 with 460 pound-feet rules the roost here). There is also a more potent version that will go into the Raptor with 450 horsepower.

 

The engine will be paired up with a new ten-speed automatic that is the result of a partnership with Ford and General Motors. The automatic is said to improve overall efficiency with eighth, ninth, and tenth gear all being overdrive and a reduction in friction.

 

Ford didn't talk about how much of an improvement the ten-speed would bring in terms of fuel economy numbers, so we'll be waiting for the official EPA numbers. The new 3.5L EcoBoost and ten-speed automatic will arrive later this fall.

 

Source: Ford

 

Press Release is on Page 2

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MORE TORQUE AND BETTER BOOST: 2017 FORD F-150 TO DEBUT WITH ALL-NEW 3.5-LITER ECOBOOST ENGINE AND 10-SPEED TRANSMISSION

• Continuously improving for customers, 2017 Ford F-150 doubles down on efficiency, capability and performance with debut of the second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine and all-new Ford-built 10-speed automatic transmission
• New 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine provides 30 lb.-ft. more peak torque compared with the first-generation EcoBoost engine, up to a best-in-class 450 lb.-ft. for a V6, beating gasoline- and diesel-powered competitors
• The first volume-production 10-speed automatic transmission available to consumers from any automaker will deliver improved acceleration and performance
  

DEARBORN, Mich., May 3, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, continues its relentless pace of innovation, delivering more torque and better acceleration to 2017 F-150 customers with the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine and 10-speed transmission.

 

The new second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will provide 30 lb.-ft. more peak torque compared with the first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, up to a best-in-class 450 lb.-ft. for a V6. F-150 remains the only truck in its segment to offer a twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine.

 

The all-new Ford-built transmission – the first volume-production 10-speed automatic transmission available to consumers from any automaker – will deliver improved acceleration and performance compared with previous six-speed automatic transmissions.

 

“The Ford truck team lives to serve our hardworking truck customers,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Product Development, and chief technical officer. “The powertrain is the heart of every F-150, and together our all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 10-speed transmission will give our customers better power, efficiency and confidence.”

 

More than 20 patents are approved or pending for the innovative powertrain combination.

 

Second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine builds on the success of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine and first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine available for the 2016 F-150. Nearly 1 million F-150 EcoBoost engines have been sold to date, with the 2.7-liter and first-generation 3.5-liter accounting for approximately 60 percent of F-150 sales.

 

Ford engineers designed the new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine to provide best-in-class torque for a V6 engine, beating gasoline- and diesel-powered competitors. The new engine provides better low-end and peak engine performance, ideal for hauling heavy payloads and towing heavy trailers.

 

The engine features an all-new, Ford-first dual-direct and port fuel-injection system. Two injectors per cylinder – one mounted in the intake port where air enters the cylinder and one positioned inside the cylinder – work together to improve power output, efficiency, and emissions.

 

All-new turbochargers deliver more boost thanks to improved twin turbos and a lighter turbine wheel. The new turbos work seamlessly with Ford-first electrically activated wastegates, enhancing operating efficiency. Light-weighting the turbine wheel – by making it out of high-temperature super alloy Mar-M-247 developed by the aerospace industry – improves responsiveness.

 

Ford’s commitment to continuous light-weighting to improve performance also is evident in the hollow camshafts in the all-new roller-finger follower valvetrain that help save up to 4 pounds of weight. The valvetrain also features more durable intake and exhaust valves, and hydraulic valve-lash adjusters that optimize engine durability over the life of the truck.

 

The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine provides Auto Start-Stop as a standard feature, helping customers save fuel, though actual fuel savings vary depending on driving patterns. The technology also contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions due to decreased idle times. Auto Start-Stop is specially tuned for truck customers, shutting off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop – except when towing or in four-wheel drive mode.

 

All-new 10-speed transmission
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will be paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission for the 2017 F-150.

 

The transmission delivers improved acceleration and performance compared with previous six-speed automatic transmissions, thanks to optimized wide-span gear spacing, coupled with drag-reduction actions. Three overdrive gears and a wider ratio span enable lower-numerical rear-axle ratios to help improve fuel efficiency at highway speeds, while maintaining best-in-class towing.

 

Weight savings play a key role in improved shifting performance. The 10-speed transmission uses advanced materials and alloys to save weight, and it is the first Ford gearbox that does not use cast-iron components.

 

An integrated torque converter/turbine clutch also helps shave more than 2 pounds of weight, while also reducing the packaging footprint.

 

Smarter shift logic helps 2017 F-150 customers tow with improved confidence using tow/haul mode. All-new real-time-adaptive shift-scheduling algorithms monitor more than a dozen powertrain- and driver-control signals to ensure the right gear at the right time for an engaging driving experience, including in sport mode.

 

An integrated electric pump works with the standard Auto Start-Stop system for seamless restarts and improved driving efficiency.

 

Manufacturing investment
Ford announced earlier this year that it will invest $145 million to upgrade its Cleveland Engine Plant – creating or retaining 150 jobs to support production of the all-new second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine for the 2017 Ford F-150 lineup.

 

An additional $1.4 billion is being invested at Ford’s Livonia Transmission Plant to create or retain 500 hourly jobs to build the 10-speed transmission.

 

Both investments are part of the company’s commitment to invest $9 billion and create or retain 8,500 hourly jobs in its U.S. facilities during the next four years. In the past five years, Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created nearly 28,000 total U.S. jobs.

 

The 2017 Ford F-150 goes on sale this fall.

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