6-Speed transmission earmarked for next F-150
Automotive News is reporting that the next-gen Ford F-150 will get a six-speed transmission (Note: '07 model shown). Whether or not it will be standard equipment is unknown at this time, but look for it to be available one way or another. It's worth noting that the new Toyota Tundra has an available six-speed as well, so it seems like a natural choice for Ford to offer one, as well. In addition to simply matching up with Toyota, the additional fuel economy the extra gears offer shouldn't be ignored. Six-speeds are available for the large SUVs from Ford and GM already, so the appearance of one on the next F-150 seems like a completely natural progression to us. Truth is, given that six-speed transmissions are becoming more commonplace in a variety of vehicle types, it probably would have been more of a surprise to hear that Ford wasn't going to offer one.
[Source: Automotive News (sub req'd)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matt 4:08PM (1/22/2007)
Did you guys really need to mention "six-speed" four times in the article, not including the title? :)
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Yatrik 4:12PM (1/22/2007)
As usual, the American Car companies are playing a little bit of keepin' up with the Jones'. Or as they say in Japan, Keeping up with the Fujimoto's.
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aaron 4:20PM (1/22/2007)
Logical progression indeed. I've been in many chevys with the allison / duramax combo.. very nice.
Yatrik, you're a lemming.. lmao..
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The other Bob 4:19PM (1/22/2007)
Who cars? Only a tech nerd, that's who.
A Silvarado still gets better mileage with a four speed. Clearly the number of gears isn't the main factor in determining mileage.
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Jimborino 4:31PM (1/22/2007)
Ohhhhhhhh wow, this will save Ford from going bust for sure..............wouldn't it make sence to make a hybrid Pick Up...........all the HP, torque, utility plus mid 20's MPG..........this will put Ford way ahead of GM, DCX and Toyota
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Daniel 4:33PM (1/22/2007)
Six Speed - Good.
Now they really need a small V8 or V6 Diesel to go with it - then they would have something!!!!!!
Make it a Diesel hybrid drive would be even better. Offer contractors to use the diesel hybrid combo as a field generator.
Offer all the rest of your customers an "Emergency Generator" for when the power goes out.
Lastly, lets be a bit more aggressive with the styling for the next generation F150.
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KT 4:31PM (1/22/2007)
They had to make sure it could handle the HP and torque of the current engines as well as the upcoming powertrain combo's.
They could put a 6sp in the '07's (from Explorer/Exped)but you don't just throw a new slushbox in your highest volume vehicle and hope that it works and is reliable.
The tranny would probably see more strenuous use in a F-150 than the SUV's. So, taking their time and doing plenty of testing is well worth the wait for Ford. The next-gen F-150 is just next year.
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MikeW 4:35PM (1/22/2007)
The fuel economy test is worthless, that is why there is a new one (heavily revised one) for '08
4 speed automatics are and have been obsolete for a while.
2005 Lincoln navigator sure liked its ZF 6hp26.
but since the current navigator/expedition (short/long) are so heavy the axle ratios are wrong (for the 5.4 V8)
3.73 for the 4x2 expedition
3.92 for the 4x4 expedition & 4x2 expedition EL
4.10 for the 4x4 expedition EL
3.92 for the nav 4x2
4.10 for the nav 4x4 & 4x2 nav EL
4.3 for the nav 4x4 nav EL (~6500lbs)
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j0rd4n 4:40PM (1/22/2007)
Re: jimborino
I think GM tried a hybrid pickup. It didn't get much in terms of mileage improvement.
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fordman 4:41PM (1/22/2007)
if ford seriously cared, it would offer a decent V6. but they dont give a hoot. They just invest in their big 5.4 engine. Thats all. the 4.6 is pathetic and makes 239hp from 4.6 liters!! It could easily make 280 with good torque to boot.
Then the Taurus 3.8 derived 4.2. What a terrible engine. Harsh when you push it and absolutely gutless. But they dont care. They simply say there is no demand for these two engines and all they do is constantly work on the 5.4
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bernie 4:43PM (1/22/2007)
Oh good, now they'll get 16 mpg instead of 14!
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Jimborino 4:55PM (1/22/2007)
#9 Even GM calls it a mild hybrid. It's not a real hybrid,,......why am i even telling you this, you already know it. It was an atempt by GM to sell something that can be called a hybrid so it would not be considered a total of a deadbeat company.
I am talking about a real hybrid that will as #& says be a generator, plus reduce the use of gas...saving money for people who use them, and at the same time poving that Ford is much better in pick ups than GM or anyone else....... Ford needs to LEAD the pick up segment, not just be in the middle....an average Joe.
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KT 6:19PM (1/22/2007)
...."the 4.6 is pathetic and makes 239hp from 4.6 liters!! It could easily make 280 with good torque to boot."
The 4.6L 3V makes 292hp....I have one in my Mountaineer and I get 19-21mpg on the highway. Not too bad for a heavy AWD SUV.
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aaron 6:23PM (1/22/2007)
The advent of the diesel 1/2 ton market is nigh.
GM, Dodge and Ford have all announced they are getting in the game. 30% better mileage on average is no small feat.
Ford will use a variant of the twin turbo land rover diesel
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fordman 6:43PM (1/22/2007)
KT its nice of you to answer me, but we are talking about F-150 here not Mountaineer.
The 4.6 makes numerous different HP, but the second lowest of all is used in the F-150.
220 in Crown
239 in F-150
260 in 2004 Mustang
280 in Mark VIII lincoln
292 in explorer
300 in Mustang
320 in Mustang Cobra DOHC
325 in Mustang GT-H
380 in Tremor 5 Valve DOHC
K & N sells a filter for the F-150. You put it on you get 15hp. This tells you how inefficient this engine is that a freking filter takes HP from 239 to 254.
Comon. This is the best selling model for ford. They can do better then this.
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Adam 7:02PM (1/22/2007)
Its true, If the F-150 4.6 had another 30hp, it would significantly improve midrange punch. Currently the engine dies after 3500 RPM.
The fuel consumption may even improve.
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Robert 7:13PM (1/22/2007)
I will note that we have not seen specs on the next generation 4.6 (or replacement) or 5.4 (or replacement) or V6 or deisels. We know the 4.4 diesel is probably coming with better torque than any existing light-duty engine and economy of, potentially, around 21-22 up from 18 in the current base 4.2 V6. A hybrid will not be needed in this case.
It is possible that a variant of the 3.5 (a 3.7 or 3.8) replaces the 4.2, although I won't hold my breath. I would bet money that the 4.6 will get a significant power boost if it remains in the line-up as will the 5.4. There is also supposed to be this "Hurricane" engine.
If you're currently unhappy with the 4.6, don't buy it. Or buy it and get your filter if you really think it works (I would question the 15hp claim). Many other people are very happy with it as a workhorse of an engine. It's not the greatest performer ever, but it has the strength when and where it is needed.
Finally, Ford is not playing "keeping up with the Fujimotos." Toyota's Tundra had a life cycle that brought it up for refresh before the F-150. Ford's Expedition and Super Duty both have 6-speed autos, and it was logical to assume that Ford would adopt it for its 2009 F-150. They probably could have squeezed it into a 2007 F-150, but at what cost and would it have mattered in sales that much?
Ultimately, Ford is, in a sense, late to the game. They are still 15 months from selling the new F-150, and I don't know if they can wait that long without losing some serious ground, especially to Chevy and GMC. They should have anticipated this product change better and had something ready for 2007, if only a minor tweak (like a 6-speed and increased engine output). I guess we shall see.
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$0.02 7:46PM (1/22/2007)
Uh yeah. Shoulda been in this model if they wanted to make a statement.
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far jr 7:49PM (1/22/2007)
2. As usual, the American Car companies are playing a little bit of keepin' up with the Jones'. Or as they say in Japan, Keeping up with the Fujimoto's.
Posted at 4:12PM on Jan 22nd 2007 by Yatrik
Correction Yat... the GMC Sierra offered one with a 6.2 V-8 before the Tundra... AND the GM heavy trucks can get the Allison six speed mentioned by Aaron above. Nissan Titan still has no six speed on the horizon. Fujimoto's attempting to catch the Jones' perhaps?
I am talking about a real hybrid that will as #& says be a generator, plus reduce the use of gas...saving money for people who use them, and at the same time poving that Ford is much better in pick ups than GM or anyone else....... Ford needs to LEAD the pick up segment, not just be in the middle....an average Joe.
Posted at 4:55PM on Jan 22nd 2007 by Jimborino
Yeah Jimborino, Toyota will be playing second fiddle to GM in the "true hybrid" truck segment too unless the just released Tundra is hiding something. Dual mode GMT900's are just around the bend. Will you be checking them out? Or waiting to see if Toyota ever gets one?
Take away the nit-picky points made by many to try to show one brand as superior to another, I would have to say that the current generation Ford is still the standard bearer in the full-size truck segment. If I were to replace my Titan (whose five speed is amazing!) I would likely want a Ford king Ranch edition. Awesome truck!
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Bryan 10:38PM (1/23/2007)
THis is a welcome, but not surprising addition. I have had 4 F150's now and I have been waiting a long time for this. Not to say the 4 speed currently in my 4.6V8 is bad, but it could be better. I don't care what anyone says about the 4.6, this thing will run forever. So far, I am at 65,000 trouble free miles with the engine. I love this truck, and I canot wait for the 09's to come out with the 6 speed so I can purchase it. As far as someone complaining about the V6. It is a workhorse too. It isnt the best, but my aunts 2001 F150 has it and her truck is at 130,000 miles + with zero issues. As far as Ford planning better about the GM twins..this is the same thing that happened when the 99 GM twins came out to battle with the new for 1997 F150. The F150 still held on, and it still will this time around as well. Everyone cannot syncronize their major updates at the same time, its just not practical. So for all you whiners on here who think the Toyota or some Nissan truck is better and they will take over, keep dreaming. Ford may have messed up, and GM may have messed up on some things, but trucks they do better than anyone else, with the nod to Ford. You cant beat 30 yrs of leadership, loyalty, and getting the job done. And I am sorry, but no stinking plastic bumper on a truck (Tundra) is going to win anyone over. Thats just pathetic.
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