2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition gets new 6.2-liter V8

2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

In the last few years, Ford has settled into a familiar product cadence of launching a new or heavily reworked vehicle one year with older carryover powertrains and offering new powertrain choices 1-2 years later. It worked for the Escape, Mustang and then the F-150. Earlier this year, Ford added its all-new 6.2-liter V8 as an option to the F-150 SVT Raptor, and today in Sturgis, South Dakota, Ford announced that the 2011 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition will get the same premium powerplant.

The 6.2 liter replaces the soon-to-be-euthanized 5.4-liter V8, bumping output from 320 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque to a more robust 411 hp and 434 lb-ft. The towing capability of the 6.2-liter Harley truck is also now up to a more-than-healthy 9,300 pounds.

In addition to the substantially increased grunt, the F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition gets new side graphics and an upgraded instrument cluster. The new gauge pod has a full-color 4.2-inch LCD display embedded between the speedometer and tachometer that displays a variety of information including fuel economy and readouts from the inclinometer and roll angle sensors. The 2011 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition also gets Ford's voice controlled navigation system with Sync as standard equipment.

No pricing was announced, but expect to pay a premium over the top-level Platinum trim just like the 2010 model. According to Ford, this will be the 17th truck on which the automaker has collaborated with the legendary motorcycle maker, making it one of the most lasting co-branded models in the market, and there's no reason to expect there won't be a 2012 model.


2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson edition
2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson edition
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[Source: Ford]
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2011 FORD HARLEY-DAVIDSON F-150 IS MOST POWERFUL, CAPABLE EDITION EVER OFFERED WITH 6.2-LITER ENGINE

* 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 combines the smooth handling and legendary durability of America's best-selling line of trucks with the authentic styling of Harley-Davidson
* A new 6.2-liter V8 engine is now standard, making it the most powerful and capable Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 ever offered. The engine, which debuted earlier this year on the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, delivers 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque and maximum trailer tow capacity of 9,300 pounds
* New standard content for 2011 includes the voice-activated Navigation System, a 4.2-inch productivity screen, power moonroof and Remote Start System

STURGIS, S.D., Aug. 10, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 combines two rich traditions into an extraordinary package for customers who crave capability and long for the open road. With authentic styling, a new standard 6.2-liter V8 engine and plenty of technology upgrades, it's the most powerful and capable Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 yet.

"The new 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 perfectly blends the flexibility and capability of F-Series trucks with the free spirit of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles," said Eric Kuehn, chief engineer. "Both companies have a passion for the road, which shines through in our specialized truck."

The successful collaboration between these two icons of the open road has produced nine F-150 models, as well as six Super Duty F-250 and F-350 models, and in 2009, the first Harley-Davidson F-450 edition truck. The exterior of the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 offers a bold front fascia and six-bar-shaped billet-style satin chrome grille and boasts "Harley-Davidson" satin chrome badging. The truck also has a lowered appearance because of a standard, fully integrated deployable running board.

Also standard are 22-inch Euroflange forged wheels with a polished center wheel cap and low-profile performance tires. The paint selection is classic Harley-Davidson – Tuxedo Black and Ingot Silver.

New graphics on the hood and body side of the truck are executed in an engine-turned finish and feature dimensional satin chrome "Harley-Davidson" lettering. The graphics are reminiscent of the "speed scallops" used on hot rods.

Interior trim panels are covered in Tuxedo Black paint, while the door scuff plate and console lid also carry the engine-turned finish. All interior chrome surfaces feature a new satin finish. Premium leather-trimmed seats come with accent color inserts and a unique cloisonné badge.

New engine, more power
Ford tapped into a bit of its proud racing heritage to create the new 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine, which uses big-bore architecture to produce impressive horsepower and torque. The new gasoline engine delivers 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque and provides improved maximum trailer towing capacity of 9,300 pounds.

"This engine has tons of torque and already has been proven in the field with both the F-150 SVT Raptor and Super Duty," said Mike Harrison, V8 engine program manager. "The exhaust for the Ford Harley-Davidson edition has been specially tuned to feature a throaty V8 rumble customers will love."

Benefits of the new 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine include:

* SOHC valvetrain with roller-rocker shafts: The single overhead camshaft (SOHC) per cylinder head design results in a stiff valvetrain that allows optimized camshaft lift profiles and results in great low-speed torque. The roller-rocker shafts allow valve angles to be splayed, resulting in optimized intake and exhaust port layout for better breathing.
* Dual-equal variable cam timing: Intake and exhaust valve opening and closing events are phased at the same time to optimize fuel economy and performance throughout the engine speed range and throttle positions.
* Two spark plugs per cylinder: Due to the large bore size, two spark plugs per cylinder are used to more efficiently burn the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, enabling better fuel economy and increased engine torque. The twin plugs also help the engine maintain a smooth, stable idle.
* Dual knock sensors: A knock sensor on each bank of cylinders of the V8 engine allows the spark timing of each cylinder to be individually optimized real-time, throughout the engine speed range. The engine learns the optimum timing via an adaptive algorithm.

Taking convenience to the next level
The 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 adds plenty of technology options to give customers what they are looking for. Key to helping customers take advantage of all the capability offered by the Harley-Davidson F-150 is a standard 4.2-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) productivity screen.

This screen offers menu options, giving the customer important information related to fuel economy and towing performance. The menu is navigated through a five-way button on the steering wheel and is positioned between the tachometer and speedometer.

Additionally, the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 comes equipped with a standard voice-activated Navigation System that integrates several functions including voice-recognition destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch screen.

For the customer who wants more control of transmission gear selection, SelectShift Automatic™ transmission functionality is available. A toggle switch located on the console shift lever engages the mode, where the transmission doesn't second-guess the driver, giving him or her total control over gear selection and performance feel.

Other standard features on the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 include:

* Power moonroof
* Rear view camera
* Second-row heated seats
* Ambient lighting
* Remote Start System

Customized Harley-Davidson appeal
The 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 interior is customized to appeal to the truck buyer who appreciates the attention to detail for which both Ford and Harley-Davidson are renowned.

Examples are the seats and console lid, which feature handmade cloisonné badges that are produced by the same company that makes badges for Harley-Davidson® motorcycles; the console has a limited-edition serialization plate, which is numbered individually.

"We take creation of the Ford Harley-Davidson trucks very seriously, but it's also something we have a lot of fun with along the way," said Design Manager Brad Richards. "We hope that comes through in each of the finished trucks.

"We ensure Ford Harley-Davidson trucks exude the same bold personality as the legendary motorcycles," Richards added. "We take two brands that are undeniably unique and forge a product that embodies the best qualities of both."

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