2011 Ford F150 (V-8s)

Ford has completely revamped the F-150s powertrain line up with 4 all new engines which are advance and broadly available unlike previous 6.2 Liter V8. The F-150 version has the Mustang has two over 4 engines with 6speed automatic transmission. It has one transmission, improved chassis with new ignition keys with a combination lock and remote control functions.

Ford F-150, 5.0 ltr V8 is well equated between cost, torque and fuel efficiency although its not much known for the fuel efficiency and the rating stay somewhere near 20% but still improved compared to 4.6 ltr V-8.

The suspension tuning is almost spot on with the truck burden less and never too stiff or soft. Even in rough surface it works like a luxury car then a usual truck. The 6 speed automatic is smooth and accomplishes multiple-gear downshift.

It’s really comfortable with bucket seats but with empty trailer attached you might find some shortcomings. The test drives in rough patches has really established the potential of V-8. It had no challenge in outdoing the Chevy and GMC fitted with the 4.8 ltr base V-8. Throttle can run upto 6000 rpm though it gives a low pitched grumble but gets blatant while the RMP rises. The 6 speed multi automatic is really strong and has potential to tow, quietly traveling to and fro and fuel efficient.

For major towing work the F150 line up uses 6.2 ltr V8 called the Big Kahuna which has extra piston shift which moves the torque curve over 400 hurdle with 434 lt-ft at 4500 rpm and highest it can go up till 11,300 pounds.

The 6.2 is a good standard V-8 for Ford but the engine is not that advanced engine in F150. There is cast iron in the deep skirt block and Valvetrain is a SOHC integrated with intake and exhaust timing variable. There are two valves in each cylinder, twin spark plugs per hole which avoids the chances of misfiring. The fuel efficiency is about 15-20 in the high temperature mostly in highway. This is always a preferred engine for contractors and people who keep on moving.

Most of the manufacturer do offer automatics in comparison to F150 but the pick up with six speeds standard is beyond all of them. Though one distinction which is not favorable in F150 is the tachometer shows a red line whereas most of the trucks fitted with a column shifts have +/- switch concealed behind the steering rim. F150 is not in the lead of Ram pick-ups fitted with well placed coil sprung rear axles. The chassis also flutters while going through racked sidewalks. The braks standardization is been aligned to response more to pedal pressure then pedal travel.

One good ugrade is the 4.2 inch LCD Productivity display that shows fuel efficiency, external temperature, helps drivers to log collected mileage on various trailers and also the checklist of all trailers to pick up also pop up.

Overall the F150 is great combination of performance and fuel efficiency. This will keep Ford a market leader over the rivals like Chevy and continue to add more customers in a market share of 39 percent.