Jan. 8, 2018—Ford is debuting a diesel engine for the F-150 pickup truck for the first time, according to USA Today.
The F-150 will get 30 miles per gallon on the highway while retaining its towing and hauling capabilities.
The Ford powertrain team responsible for the 6.7-liter engine in F-series Super Duty trucks since 2011 designed and engineered the all-new 3-liter, 6-cylinder diesel to the specific needs of North America.
It is an F-150-specific derivative of the diesel engine built at a Ford plant in the United Kingdom, and inserted into a military-grade aluminum-alloy body at F-series plants stateside.
Designers focused on harsh driving conditions, including a mechanical engine-driven fan and dual radiator shutters for improved high temperature, high-altitude performance.
The company tested the vehicle at the Davis Dam in Arizona, where the F-150 climbed 13 miles at a 6 percent grade in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and maintained consistent power output.