EcoBoost technology proves popular in the Ford F150

EcoBoost technology has been featured as a fuel-saving system with excellent performance and while these forced induction engines have proven to be very popular in the Ford Taurus SHO, the Lincoln MKS and the Ford Flex – many skeptics claimed that these small turbocharged engines would not be enough motor for the Ford F150. Issues like “turbo lag” or the lack of torque in many turbocharged engines goes against everything a real truck buyer wants from their new vehicle but the engineers at Ford made sure that those problems were nearly non-existent with the F150 EcoBoost models. (For those unsure, turbo lag is the term used to describe the lag in power before the turbochargers reach their proper peak boost which in turn creates peak power)

The result was the 2011 Ford F150 EcoBoost boasting 365 horsepower, 420lb-ft of torque and a pair of compact turbochargers that effectively do away with the problem of turbo lag. This makes the F150 EcoBoost among the most powerful of the half ton pickups and it looks like these numbers have made consumers forget all about the negative perception of smaller, turbocharged engines as the take rate of EcoBoost motors in the 2011 F150 has increased every month this year.

Ford states that in March, roughly 25% of 2011 F150 buyers opted for the 3.5L EcoBoost engine and through the majority of April that number has jumped to 35%. The Motor Company also reports that current orders being made for 2011 F150 pickups are showing an even larger take rate for the EcoBoost option – around 40%. The key advantage of the EcoBoost engine (other than the power and fuel economy improvements over the other engines) is the price, as in 2011 Ford F150 pickups with a standard V8 (FX2, Lariat, FX4, King Ranch, and Platinum trimlines) the 3.5L EcoBoost option is only $750 more than the standard 5.0L V8. $750 for 5 more horsepower, 40more lb-ft of torque and better mileage compared to the 5.0L V8 seems like a heck of a deal, so it’s no wonder that this new turbocharged V6 is proving so popular with new truck buyers.

Ford will introduce a new 4-cylinder EcoBoost motor into the US SUV market in the new Ford Explorer and Ford Edge along with the 2013 Ford Taurus, so EcoBoost technology will likely continue to grow in popularity. I have had the pleasure to log a few thousand miles on EcoBoost vehicles (Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS) and after even a short drive – there is really no question why these new high tech, fuel sipping engines from Ford are proving to be so popular in the US market.

Other Ford News:
Ford Motor Company executive pleads guilty to drunk driving
The Big 3 passes on the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
The 2013 Ford Taurus gets a nose job and a new engine
The Ford Police Interceptor to feature 2013 Taurus upgrades
The new 2012 Shelby GTS Mustang debuts at the New York Auto Show