This text was not translated, because it is originally in English
TTAC was the first to bring you news of the F-150′s move to aluminum construction, the 2. 7L Ecoboost and the delays with the aluminum body panel production. And now weve got another bounty of information about upcoming engines, transmissions and other technology for the new F-Series trucks and their full-size SUVs.
TTACs sources tell us that even though the next-generation F-150 hasnt even launched yet, there are already early-cycle and mid-cycle updates in the cards. According to them, Ford is feeling the sting of losing out to Ram on the first half-ton diesel pickup race. A diesel F-150 was in the works, but became a casualty of the recession in 2008. Now Ford is apparently at work on a 3. 0L V6 diesel, codenamed Lion, that is set to appear by 2018. In other powertrain developments, weve learned that the 2. 7L Ecoboost will have somewhere in the ballpark of 290-300 horsepower, though torque numbers remain unknown.
Around this time, well also see a number of major developments for Fords truck line. A new 10-speed transmission will debut in both trucks and body-on-frame SUVs, as well as a new, aluminum bodied version of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. While production will take place in America, development is currently going on at Fords Mexican arm.
Despite the push for aluminum bodies, one product that wont be making the transition is the next-generation of Super Duty trucks. Our source indicates that these trucks will stick with steel bodies, though the reasons behind it are unknown.