Here Comes A Diesel Ford F-150

2017 Ford F-150 (Credit: © Ford)

The Ford F-150 is getting quite the midcycle refresh for 2018, including a brand spanking new 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine. Despite the fallout from Dieselgate, US automakers are pushing diesel engines for light-duty trucks now. Consumers want them, and if they’re passing emissions, this trend should only continue.

For now, we don’t know a whole lot about the diesel-powered F-150. It will go head-to-head against the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, which provides a mix of extreme fuel economy and torque. I’d imagine Ford’s looking to at least get close to matching the efficiency and towing figures for its rival.

Ford itself has said the new Power Stroke engine was developed inside the company. In the past, International has been contracted out to make Power Stroke engines.

The gasoline engine lineup is changing, too. Gone is the 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V-6, replaced by a 3.3-liter V-6, which should have similar output and better fuel economy. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost is getting overhauled for better performance. Also getting tweaked is the 5.0-liter V-8, which Ford says will be more powerful.

Part of the refresh is a revised front fascia. It incorporates different elements from the new Super Duty, including the polygon grille, with the effect of a tougher-looking F-150. Some high-tech features are coming as well, like mobile WiFi and more crash mitigation systems, so when you’re Facebooking on the go you don’t wreck out.