Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Next Ford F-Series to go on diet, make extensive use of aluminum]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/03/next-ford-f-series-to-go-on-diet-make-extensive-use-of-aluminum/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/03/next-ford-f-series-to-go-on-diet-make-extensive-use-of-aluminum/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/03/next-ford-f-series-to-go-on-diet-make-extensive-use-of-aluminum/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Ford F-150

Ford may turn to aluminum body panels on the company's F-Series pickup trucks in an effort to reduce weight. According to Ward's Auto, the next-generation F-Series is set to debut in 2014 and will likely feature aluminum fenders and door skins. The news comes courtesy of two unnamed sources close to the vehicle's development. Right now, the next-gen F-Series is rolling through Ford halls under the name P552, and while the automaker is reticent to go on the record about aluminizing its best-selling model, executives have made it clear that weight-savings is a major priority.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford's Group Vice President of Global Product Development, has previously said the company intends to cut up to 700 pounds per model by 2019. Ditching stamped steel body panels for aluminum would be a good start. Ford has already dabbled in aluminum hoods on both the F-Series and Explorer, and the material is expected to find greater use across automakers in the near future as companies brace for stiffer Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.

Next Ford F-Series to go on diet, make extensive use of aluminum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aluminiumaluminumaluminum body panelsderrick kuzakf 150f seriesf-150f-seriesf-series aluminum body panelsf150fordford f-150ford f-seriesTue, 03 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20139301/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/03/next-ford-f-series-to-go-on-diet-make-extensive-use-of-aluminum/20139301/article-detail.xml 20139301 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/ford-f-150-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/ford-f-150-628.jpg <![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 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1343850/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/10/16/fords-light-duty-4-4l-v8-diesel-doa/1343850/article-detail.xml 1343850 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/09f150xlt_23_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/09f150xlt_23_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford's F-150 to get diesel power?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/19/fords-f-150-to-get-diesel-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/19/fords-f-150-to-get-diesel-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/19/fords-f-150-to-get-diesel-power/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Autoweek reports that Ford is developing a 4.4-liter diesel V8, slated for the F-150 pickup and possibly the Expedition SUV.

Apparently the new diesel is a supersized version of the twin-turbo 272 hp 3.6-liter V8 (right) manufactured for the 2007 Range Rover at Ford's Dagenham Diesel Center in England, and would likely be produced there and shipped to the U.S.

The Dagenham facility is a cooperative venture with PSA Peugeot Citroen, and is Ford's global center for diesel engineering and manufacturing.

[Sources: Autoweek, Ford]

Ford's F-150 to get diesel power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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