Ford has recently upped the ante in the full-size half-ton pickup market with the introduction of a new powertrain team with a new turbocharged V-6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Yes, you read that right — a 10-speed. This transmission features four planetary gearsets, four rotating clutches, two brakes and three overdrive gears.
Because it has about the same dimensions as the six-speed transmission it replaces, you will likely see it being introduced throughout the Ford lineup as time goes on.
Even with the extra four gears, the 10-speed is only a few kilograms heavier, because it is constructed without a single piece of cast iron.
I drove a F-150 Lariat 4X4 Supercrew with the new powertrain.
Although the displacement is the same as the outgoing engine, the twin turbocharged 3.5-litre V-6 under the hood is more powerful, producing 375 horsepower and 470 foot-pounds of torque. That’s 10 hp more than last year, but a whopping 50 lb.-ft. more in grunt power at the low end.
In torque, the Ford is easily the one to beat. In horsepower, the Ram 1500 with the 5.7-litre V-8 is still the top dog.
In a way, the comparison is slightly skewered, as I am comparing a turbo V-6 against a pair of V-8’s (Ford still offers the trusty 5.0-litre V-8 in the F-150, but that’s another story).
Ford is betting consumers will be won over by the best fuel economy in the segment, with no loss in power for those who occasionally pull large items behind them.
Ford is in a better place to pull this off due to their adopting aluminum in a big way when the Ford F-150 was last renewed in 2015. By replacing all the sheet metal (except for the firewall) with lighter aluminum, Ford was able to reduce the F-150’s weight by more than 300 kilograms. The frame remains high-strength steel.
My 4X4 tester had a curb weight of 2,145 kg.
Ford says that, when properly equipped, the 3.5-litre can tow a maximum of 5,534 kilograms (regular cab). My Super Crew’s maximum was 5,352 kg for towing and 1,320 kg for payload.
The engine produces peak torque at 3,500 r.p.m., lower than both Chevrolet and Ram.
The icing on the cake is best-in-class fuel economy, with a rating of 14.0 litres per 100 km city and 11.0 highway with a 4X4 equipped with the optional Payload Package. The smaller 2.7-litre V-6 and 4X2 drivetrain is the mileage champ at 12.2 city and 9.3 highway.
All the turbocharged V-6s in the F-150 lineup get a boost in fuel economy, thanks to standard engine stop/start technology.
The new powertrain combination, which costs $1,650, is available across the line and is standard kit in the Limited and Raptor models.
The latter model’s 3.5-litre V-6 has been given a healthy diet of vitamins, producing 450 hp and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, displacing the trusty 5.0-litre V-8 as the most powerful engine in the F-150 universe.
At the other end of the spectrum, Ford is reportedly about to offer buyers the option of fitting the 2018 F-150 with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V-6 diesel (a first) starting in the fall — stay tuned. Diesels have previously only been available on 3/4-ton and above F-Series.
Although big changes have occurred under the hood, the interior of the 2017 F-150 hasn’t changed much since 2015 — which is not a bad thing.
The changeover to aluminum continues to impress as none of the dire warnings from competitors have borne fruit.
The cabin follows the ongoing trend to be more and more car-like. It is a quiet refuge, with tasteful design elements and useful features. My model was equipped with the trailer tow package and I can imagine long road trips sitting in comfort.
One useful option I particularly liked was the power telescopic mirrors (they extend 76 millimetres) that also fold for parking. They also had LED lights integrated in the body, making for extra lighting in the night.
My tester was the crew cab version, with four doors. The rear seat bottoms fold up easily and the headrests fold down to improve rearward visibility. Rear legroom is more than generous, even with the front seats all the way back.
Running boards make it easy to climb into the truck, and power adjustable pedals make it comfortable for people with shorter femurs.
My truck was even fitted with heated and ventilated front seats and an effective power lumbar support.
The truck bed (you can order a 5.5, 6.5 and 8.0-foot box, depending on configuration), included a lock on the tailgate (you can also lock, unlock or lower the tailgate with the key fob) and LED lights.
The pickup business is booming, and the F-150 is already at the top of the sales chart. With this new engine and transmission choice, Ford is ensuring that they will remain one step ahead of the competition — and maintain that momentum in the foreseeable future.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Full-sized four-door pick-up, front engine, 4X4
Engine: Turbocharged 3.5-litre V-6, 375 hp at 5,000 r.p.m., 470 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 r.p.m.
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Dimensions (mm): Length, 5,890; width (trailer tow mirrors), 2,690 open, 2,172 folded; height, 1,961; wheelbase, 3,683
Curb weight (kg): 2,145
Max payload (kg): 1,347
Max towing (kg): 5,443
Price (base/as tested): $56,199/ $75,869 (includes $1,700 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax)
Options: Equipment group 502A $4,900, 3.5-litre V-6 with 10-speed transmission $1,650, twin panel moon roof $1,750, rubber mats $170, adaptive cruise control $1,500, Max trailer tow package $950, power telescopic mirrors $570, FX4 off-road package $750, Lariat special edition package $2,400, box side steps $300, tailgate step $400, active park assist $550, technology package $1,250, wheel-well liner $180, spray-in bed liner $550
Tires: 275/55 R20 on alloy wheels
Fuel type: Regular/ premium
Fuel economy (L/100km): 14.0 city/ 11.0 highway
Warranty: Three years/60,000 km new car, five years/100,000 km powertrain and roadside assistance