Ford's all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 isn't just a high-performer on the road. The fuel-efficient engine is also tearing up the sales charts faster than expected.
Sales of the 365 horsepower, 420 pounds-feet of torque gasoline twin-turbo direct-injection six-cylinder are 35 percent of all 2011 Ford F-150 half-ton pickup sales in April and currently account for 40 percent of new orders from Ford dealers, according to Ford powertrain spokesman Richard Truett.
What's likely driving the rapid adoption – much quicker than we originally estimated – of EcoBoost's small-displacement GTDI technology? Fuel prices are more than a dollar higher than last year's prices and rapidly approaching $4 a gallon for regular octane fuel, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.
A two-wheel drive EcoBoost F-150 carries an EPA rating of 16/22 mpg city/highway but can also tow up to 11,300 pounds when properly equipped – the same as the Ford F-150's large-displacement 6.2-liter V-8 that's rated 13/18 mpg. That makes EcoBoost very attractive to new truck buyers looking for the right combination of power and frugality.
EcoBoost is also priced aggressively. It's $1,750 more than the F-150's entry-level 302 hp 3.7-liter V-6, $750 more than the midrange 360 hp 5.0-liter V-8 and $1,245 less than the premium 411 hp 6.2-liter V-8.
No comments:
Post a Comment