Spy Shots: Ford's 4.4L diesel underhood
Many people in the States still make their living using good 'ole fashioned pickup trucks as their main method of transportation. For those people, the sky-high price of fuel is putting a serious dent in their profit margins, especially when that truck is used day-in and day-out to move heavy objects from one place to another. It's dirty work, but somebody's got to do it, as they say. For these gasoline-weary individuals, Ford, makers of the best-selling pickup truck in the world, is diligently working on its upcoming 4.4L diesel V8 powerplant, which should improve on the bread-and-butter 5.4L Triton gasoline engine's mpg figure by 20-percent while delivering an extra shot of torque. While we've seen the engine sitting by itself earlier this year at Ford's national dealer conference in Vegas, PickupTrucks.com has managed to get its hands on a few shots of the engine under hood of a new F-150 mule. We can clearly see that it's a tight fit in there with all the associated emissions plumbing, turbocharger and intercooler. Take note too that the engine wears the Power Stroke moniker, though the mill is not made by Ford's traditional diesel supplier, Navistar. Instead, this engine is derived from a diesel engine used by Land Rover in Europe and will be manufactured in Mexico. Those looking to save a few bucks on a fill-up can look forward to a hopeful debut at the '09 Chicago Auto Show with a production release sometime later that year.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
me 9:08PM (7/23/2008)
That engine is a non starter. 20% better fuel consumption is not worth it when you consider that diesel fuel costs 20% more than gasoline. Why bother ?
Diesel engines weigh more, they cost more, they need more expensive oil changes and this one will need urea. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages.
For the record, I own a Cummins.
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Nikax 10:14PM (7/23/2008)
agree. I saw B100 at $5.50/gallon the other day. I can't see where diesel is going to help anyone in the savings department.
Brent 10:53PM (7/23/2008)
All I like about diesels is the ability to run bio with them, but the new ones aren't great for that, at all.
Nate 8:36AM (10/12/2008)
depends on what area of the country you live in. Right now the cheapest diesel in my area is $3.29 a gallon whereas cheapest gas is 3.09. With the proper tuning this engine should be able to see mid 20's easily. I'd say 20-to almost 30 under the right conditions. As far as oil changes go, they are not more expensive. They also only need to be done around every 8-10k miles vs 3-5k for gas engines. The maintence costs are cheaper. All that adds up to savings over time. Sure you'll probably pay 4k more for the diesel option, but you'll make that up in fuel savings over 2-4 yrs. All the while having all the capabilty of towing damn near what a 97-02 f350 could with the 7.3
Nick 11:42PM (7/23/2008)
Other modifications in aerodynamics, weight, under body architecture and lower ride height could boost fuel efficiency on top of 20%.
20% alone isn't great at all...it should be 30% no less.
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Dukeydumb 2:27AM (7/24/2008)
I agree. They should have used the V6 that is already developed and tuned it for around 250hp and 325ft lbs. and it would have gotten in the mid 20's highway.
fnc 12:56AM (7/24/2008)
I don't know because I haven't looked at the numbers, but I'd guess people who need the extra torque would be interested even if price were a wash. Don't diesels maintain an efficiency edge even under load?
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me 11:00AM (7/24/2008)
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I'd guess people who need the extra torque would be interested even if price were a wash.
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My Cummins pulls better than the gasser I had before. Diesels have a broader torque band so they don't fall off as bad. And they are much better at high altitude. I pull a 10K 5th wheel trailer.
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Don't diesels maintain an efficiency edge even under load?
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Diesels are more efficient than a gasser all the time, but it is most prevalent under light loads. In a 3/4 ton truck, a diesel might get 16/21 MPG city/highway and the gassser will get 9/17. That sort of thing.
me 11:51AM (7/24/2008)
This post shows me why Ford is in so much trouble.
Why does a 4.4L diesel need to be a V8 ? And why does it have to be so complex that it fills the engine compartment. Didn't they learn anything from the 6.0L fiasco ?
And then the performance is underwhelming. Only 20% better fuel economy ? Who do they think is going to get a diesel for such a limited saving ? Its like Ford thinks the public is idiotic and they can get away with things like that.
Ford engineers need a kick in the butt. Very disappointing.
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