That’s because the Ford is not only installing the second-generation of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost in the 2017 F-150, but also pairing it with an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission.
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The 2017 Ford F-150 will be coming in with the new 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 engine option.
Known for its off-road capabilities, the new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor promises to be the toughest, smartest and most capable F-150 Raptor ever.
That is not all.
Despite maintaining a 3.5-liter displacement, the new EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 is a completely new motor, according to Ford, maintaining only the bore spacing and deck height with the current 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 to make for an easier manufacturing transition from old engine to new.
The F-150’s new 10-speed transmission (foreground) and the next-generation 3.5L EcoBoost V6. Almost 1 million F-150 EcoBoost engines have been sold to date, with the 2.7-liter and first-generation 3.5-liter accounting for approximately 60 percent of F-150 sales. The new transmission will deliver improved acceleration and performance compared to the previous six-speed automatic transmission.
An integrated electric pump works with the standard Auto Start-Stop system for seamless restarts and improved driving efficiency. Instead it uses steel, aluminum and composite alloys that are lighter in weight. The engine’s hollow camshafts save 4 pounds. Auto Start-Stop is now standard in the 3.5L as well, improving city fuel economy and slightly lowering emissions. In its own right, direct injection is known for improving both power and fuel efficiency and reducing turbo lag. Ford is taking the lead on the 10-speed that will be used in trucks and other rear-wheel-drive vehicles, while GM is taking the lead in a nine-speed that will be used mostly in cars.
The 10-speed trans also features real-time adaptive shift algorithms that monitor more than a dozen powertrain functions and driver inputs for better performance and responsiveness.
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“When you combine the (new engine and transmission), it creates a powertrain combination that’s truly an unbeatable combination in this segment”, said Kevin Norris, manager of the 10-speed transmission systems. It will be Ford’s first gearbox with no cast-iron components, offsetting the weight penalty from four extra gears. This new 10-speed will be introduced with the 2017 F-150 Raptor, which is slated for release with a new SuperCrew model later this year.
