Ford Touts Second-Gen EcoBoost V-6, 10-Speed Trans for ’17 F-150

DEARBORN, MI – Ford’s ’17 F-150 pickup arriving this fall gets more efficient and capable with a highly revamped second-generation 3.5L turbocharged V-6 and an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Updates to the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, codenamed D35, focus on improving efficiency while reducing weight and engine noise, says Jim Mazuchowski, manager-new V-6 engines, at a media program to reveal the engine and new transmission at Ford world headquarters here.

Improvements boost torque 30 lb.-ft. (41 Nm) to 450 lb.-ft. 610 Nm) that Ford says is class-leading for a V-6 engine – gasoline or diesel. Horsepower remains unchanged at 365.

Engineers achieved the gains in power and efficiency with higher-boost turbos, port fuel injection (in addition to existing direct injection), Ford-first electronically controlled turbo waste gates, weight-saving hollow camshafts fitted with roller-finger follower valvetrains and standard auto stop/start. Overall, the engine is 4 lbs. (1.8 kg) lighter compared with its predecessor.

Mazuchowski says the Borg Warner-supplied turbos feature upgraded turbine wheels made of lightweight Mar-M-247 super-alloy that are more responsive. Boost is up 2.5 psi (.17 bar) to 16 psi (1.1 bar) using the same 51-mm (2-in.) diameter turbine wheels but employing more sharply angled vanes.

Second-gen turbo V-6 boasts 450 lb.-ft. of torque.

The compression ratio now is 10.5:1, up from 10.0:1, although the lower ratio continues for the high-output version of the engine in the F-150 Raptor.

The Raptor engine’s fuel demands in part drove the need to add port fuel injection on top of existing direct injection in the second-generation engine, Mazuchowski says. But the extra fuel-delivery system also allows engineers to shut down the direct-injection system and its mechanical pump at low speeds and under low loads, reducing friction losses and emissions. Employing both systems at start-up cuts cold-start emissions as well.

Ford is awaiting EPA certification before disclosing any estimates of potential fuel-economy gains from the second-gen engine.

10-Speed More Than Simply More Ratios

The second part of the powertrain picture is the all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, designed, engineered and produced by Ford in a joint program with General Motors. GM is designing and engineering a 9-speed gearbox as part of the technology-sharing venture and will manufacture and calibrate its own 10-speed based on the Ford design.

The 10-speed gearbox features three overdrive ratios and one direct-drive ratio to help improve highway fuel efficiency while maintaining towing capability, says Kevin Norris, manager-10-speed transmission. The transmission features an integrated torque-converter/turbine clutch that saves weight and length, along with a built-in electric pump that maintains fluid pressure to minimize delays in transmission response in stop/start driving.

Also included is real-time adaptive shift scheduling to help maintain the right ratio based on load, driver demand and conditions.

Despite the increase in ratios (up from six), the transmission is slightly longer and just a few pounds heavier, Norris says, thanks in part to the use of lightweight materials. It is the first Ford transmission to eschew cast-iron components, he says.

Ford will package the 10-speed exclusively with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine for the ’17 F-150. Carryover powertrains include the 5.0L V-8, the naturally aspirated 3.5L V-6 and the 2.7L EcoBoost V-6, all paired with 6-speed transmissions.

Ford says while fuel efficiency will improve for EcoBoost owners in city and low-load driving, none of the modifications are designed to boost fuel economy when hauling big loads or towing heavy trailers. F-150 buyers who regularly tow heavy trailers are advised to choose the V-8 engine, says Doug Scott, marketing manager-Ford truck group.

“The 3.5L EcoBoost is best when you have a mix of light use and some towing,” Scott recommends. “We’ll be giving the same advice for the ’17 model.”

But Scott notes EcoBoost engines have overcome initial skepticism that truck buyers wouldn’t embrace V-6s. In April, 62% of F-150s were sold with turbo V-6s and the number rises to 72% when non-turbo V-6 engines are added to the mix. And by June, Ford will sell its 1 millionth EcoBoost V-6-powered F-150 since the engine’s 2011 debut.

“There is no better example of innovation brought to life than the F-150,” Scott says.

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