Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ford's light-duty 4.4L V8 diesel DOA?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/16/fords-light-duty-4-4l-v8-diesel-doa/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/16/fords-light-duty-4-4l-v8-diesel-doa/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/16/fords-light-duty-4-4l-v8-diesel-doa/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford F-150

Ford's reported decision to put its long-awaited light-duty diesel truck engine on ice for the time being could well be a result of slowing truck sales and the rising cost of diesel fuel. Indeed, the Blue Oval's pickup sales are down by about 27% compared to last year and are a far cry from what they were a few short years ago. That downward trend in sales is partly blamed on the recent rise in fuel prices, and diesel fuel has outpaced gasoline in its upward spiral. So, while diesel engines are inherently more fuel efficient than those running on gasoline, that pricing difference is usually only made up when a truck is used for heavy hauling and towing - one reason the expensive oil-burners prove so popular in the largest of trucks. Ford's not so sure any longer that drivers of its non Super-Duty trucks want or need a smaller diesel engine option. So, for now, Ford's 4.4-liter diesel V8 has been shelved.

Though not in the full-size truck segment for nearly as long, Toyota's Tundra has seen sales declines much steeper than the pickups from Ford, and the Japanese automaker has also put its diesel V8 on hold. General Motors is still on track to launch its 4.5-liter oil-burner, as is Chrysler with a Cummins-built 5.0-liter turbodiesel V8. These relatively small diesels are expected to average about 25% better fuel economy than their gasoline brethren while offering a power improvement of 10-15%. Ford believes it can offer similar performance benefits with its EcoBoost series of engines, one of which is slated for the F-Series trucks in 2010, for a smaller surcharge. We'll see.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150


[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Ford's light-duty 4.4L V8 diesel DOA? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4.4-liter4.4l4.4l diesel4.4lDieselecoboostecoboost f150EcoboostF150f 150f-150f-seriesf150ford f 150ford f-150ford f-150 dieselford f-seriesford f150FordF-150FordF-150DieselFordF-seriesFordF150Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Ford F-150's 4.4L diesel exposed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/spy-shots-ford-f-150s-4-4l-diesel-exposed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/spy-shots-ford-f-150s-4-4l-diesel-exposed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/spy-shots-ford-f-150s-4-4l-diesel-exposed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Internet got a sneak peek at the new 4.4L Ford diesel engine last April when somebody snapped a pic of the complete package sitting on the floor at Ford's national dealer conference. Now, thanks to some eagle-eyed sharp shooters, we can see the new oil-burning mill in its natural habitat under the hood of a Ford F-150. Sure, there's lots of black plastic covering all the good stuff, but we can get a glimpse of all the assorted plumbing that will make this engine squeaky clean. We can also have a good shot of the intercooler, peaking out between the grille and the radiator.

This engine is labeled as a Power Stroke, Ford's long-running moniker for the diesels equipped in its Super Duty trucks. For years, those mills have been made by Navistar, but after the fallout between the automaker and the supplier, Ford is now using a derivative of the diesel from Land Rover in Europe, though the 4.4L iteration will be made in Mexico for the North American market. Offering 20-percent more fuel economy than the 5.4L gas-powered Triton, along with a considerable bump in power, this could be one very important addition for the Ford Motor Company and will likely make its official debut at next year's Chicago Auto Show.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Spy Shots: Ford F-150's 4.4L diesel exposed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4.44.4-liter4.4l4.4l diesel4.4L power stroke4.4lDiesel4.4lPowerStrokeford dieselford diesel engineford diesel enginesford dieselsford power strokeFordDieselFordDieselEngineFordDieselEnginesFordDieselsFordPowerStrokepower strokepower stroke dieselPowerStrokePowerStrokeDieselWed, 23 Jul 2008 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Navistar suing Ford... again]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/29/navistar-suing-ford-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/29/navistar-suing-ford-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/29/navistar-suing-ford-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford and Navistar are once again going to court over the automaker's plans to develop a 4.4L diesel engine inhouse for the F-150. The original lawsuit was thrown out last June, with the judge ordering the two corporations to iron out their differences in mediation. Since no progress has been made outside the legal system, Navistar has refiled its claim. In the suit, Navistar is claiming the light-duty diesel engine violates the agreement once made between the two companies, which states that Navistar be Ford's primary supplier of oil burners. Navistar is also alleging that the 4.4L diesel that Ford's currently developing is in fact International's 4.4L Lion V8 project that cost Navistar $11 million to develop. It's hard to pinpoint how or why Navistar is so sure Ford is using the Lion project 4.4L, considering that the supplier has received no official specs of the engine from Ford.

We're not exactly Dr. Phil, but it appears that Navistar has a bone to pick with Ford. Considering the fact that Ford isn't using its long-time supplier to develop and produce its light-duty diesel engine, the Dearborn, MI automaker is none too pleased with Navistar, either. We think the judge should order Navistar's fugly new International Lonestar to take on a pair of F-450s in a concrete cage match - the winner gets the contract for the F-150 diesel engine.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Navistar suing Ford... again originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4.4l diesel4.4lDieseldiesel engineDieselEngineFordInternationallawsuitNavistarnavistar sues fordNavistarSuesFordFri, 29 Feb 2008 09:01:00 EST