2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Review

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Ford's truck spec Ecoboost V6 has been garnering a lot of attention, but it is it really up to the job?

That's no doubt a question that many truck buyers are currently asking. With the recent spikes in fuel prices and impending Corporate Average Fuel Economy targets that now include light trucks as well as passenger cars, saving gas has moved from the back to near the top of the list when it comes to pickups.

How automakers will meet an average fleet fuel consumption target of 35 miles per gallon for their passenger cars and light trucks remains to be seen. Some pundits predict more use of lightweight materials and the possibility of diesel engines in ½ ton pickups, but Ford's short-term solution is to employ twin turbocharging, variable cam timing and direct injection.

The result is of course the so-called EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6, rated at 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Naturally, the Blue Oval boys and girls have been going to great lengths to convince F-150 buyers (and there are lots of them), that this engine represents a bridge towards the future, combining V6 fuel economy with V8 power and torque.

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