Ford officially unveils the face-lifted 2018 Ford F-150 a day before the 2017 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) press days. It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been three years since the new aluminum-bodied 2015 F-150 saw the light of day at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Ford takes their new high-tech pickup truck formula to the next level for the 2018 model year. This is more than a simple facelift, although the front fascia, headlights, and tail gate are new.
Ford says that the 2018 F-150 will be able to tow more than ever before. It will be the most technologically advanced F-150, offering the next iteration of the adaptive cruise control system. The system in the 2018 truck will be able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop while following another vehicle. This is not the case with the system in the current 2017 truck.
Most notable 2018 F-150 update is the engine lineup. The truck will offer no fewer than five distinct engine option.
3.3L V6 – New
First is a new base engine. The displacement of the naturally aspirated V6 shrinks from 3.5 to 3.3 liters. However, base power remains strong at 282 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque.
5.0L V8 “Coyote” – Updated
Contrary to previous reports, the 2018 F-150 will retain the 5.0L Coyote V8 (no 4.8L V8 here). Those who were worried about the “Five-Oh” going away can now calm down. Ford says the V8 has been upgraded for even more power and torque, but did not provide more details. Can this truck V8 reach or exceed the 400 horsepower mark? We will have to wait to find out.
Another important piece of news is that the Coyote will be paired Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Previous reports that talked about the proliferation of the 10-speed across the F-150 range were accurate.
2.7L EcoBoost V6 – 2nd-Generation
Next is a second generation of the 2.7L EcoBoost V6. It now has the dual fuel injection system, just like the big brother 3.5L EcoBoost. Combination of the port and direct injection technologies is said to increase fuel efficiency as well as allow for a power boost. Ford did not release the power specs for the new 2.7L EcoBoost, but expect it to be a bit higher than the already impressive 325 HP and 375 lb-ft of torque. The 2nd-gen 2.7L turbo V6 will also be paired with the 10-speed automatic.
3.5L EcoBoost V6
The 2nd-generation 3.5L EcoBoost that made its debut on the 2017 F-150 carries over to 2018 largely unchanged (375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque) ? It will continue to be paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission. TFLtruck will be testing the 2017 F-150 with this power train very soon! It will be competing on the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing test for the 2017 Gold Hitch Awards.
3.0L Power Stroke V6 Diesel – New
Finally, here comes the big news. All the rumors and prototype truck spy shots were correct. The 2018 Ford F-150 is getting a turbo-diesel V6 engine option. Ford says that this engine is related to its European lineup of small turbo-diesels. They are called DuraTorq in Europe. Ford did not provide the power specifications or any further details. There is no indication that this 3.0L Power Stroke is related to the engine that is in the Ford Transit vans or the 3.2L diesel in the European Ford Ranger. We will get more details very soon. No matter what, expect the power output to be greater than the 240 HP and 420 lb-ft of torque from the 3.0L diesel in the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Ford’s 3.0L Power Stroke will also be mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission. Can it beat the Ram EcoDiesel’s 29 MPG on the highway EPA rating? We will have to wait and see. Consumers will have to wait until the summer of 2018 to get a diesel F-150.
Other manufacturers have been offering Wifi capability in their trucks for several years. The 2018 F-150 joins the connected world with the available 4G LTE Wifi hotspot that is able to connect up to 10 devices.
The new 2018 F-150 goes on sale in the fall of 2017. It will be built at Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.
Check out this video preview of the 2018 Ford F-150 from Detroit, and stay tuned for much more coverage from the 2017 North American International Auto Show.