When Ford introduced their new 3.5L twin turbocharger engine sporting the EcoBoost badges this year, some speculated that the American truck buyer wasn’t ready for a forced induction V6 as a premium engine but the F150 EcoBoost has proven the critics wrong – selling over 100,000 units this first year of production.
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While many people thought that a twin turbocharged V6 would not succeed as a premium engine option, Ford Motor Company predicted earlier this year that they would sell at least 100,000 new F150 pickups fitted with the EcoBoost 3.5L V6. According to the Detroit News, Ford confirmed that they have sold at least 100,000 premium EcoBoost F150 models - accounting for roughly 40% of total F150 sales this year. When combined with the popular new entry level 3.7L V6, the six cylinder engine options in the 2011 F150 have accounted for more than 50% of total trucks sales – moving a record number of V6 trucks that dates back to 1985.
The cause for critics to question the possible success of the EcoBoost V6 in the 2011 Ford F150 was the idea that an American truck buyer who wants big power and big towing/hauling capacities would just naturally demand that a premium level engine be a V8. These same people expected that even though the EcoBoost offered 365 horsepower, 411lb-ft of torque and best in class towing capabilities along with impressive fuel economy levels – the American consumer just wouldn’t respond favorably to a high tech V6 engine over a traditional V8. With the news that the EcoBoost has sold over 100,000 units in 2011 while dominating the engine choice category with new F150 sales…it is clear that Ford’s gamble worked out very, very well. Better yet, unlike the other F150 engine options that have been available for the entire 2011 calendar year (3.7L V6, 5.0L V8, 6.2L V8), the EcoBoost was not available until February so the compact turbocharged engine has lead the lineup in sales in a shortened year. I have had the luxury of spending time in an EcoBoost F150 and it is really no question why these trucks are selling well, even with an $895 upcharge, as this new twin turbo 3.5L V6 provides V8 power with better fuel economy than comparable V8 (in output) engines.
Ford has acknowledged the demand for the EcoBoost V6 by increasing production with these new engines destined for the EcoBoost powered F150 models, along with the Ford Taurus SHO and the Lincoln MKS EcoBoost. Ford expects to see the popularity of the EcoBoost name to grow as the company unveils a variety of new models powered by new, smaller EcoBoost engines including a pair of EcoBoost 4-cylinder mills that will be available in the next generation Ford Escape.
There have also been rumors that the next generation of the fabled Ford Shelby GT500 could pack a twin turbocharged V8 sporting the EcoBoost badge but to date – those are strictly rumors. Ford execs have previously hinted that the Mustang will get an EcoBoost option but many expect that to be an EcoBoost 4-cylinder that would likely fit between the entry 3.7L V6 and the 5.0L V8.
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