Ford's Second-Generation 3.5-Liter EcoBoost is More Powerful Than We Thought

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Ford clearly low-balled its power figures when it issued a sneak peek of the second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 back in May.

The newly massaged engine, which will get its debut in the 2017 F-150, was thought to gain 30 pounds-feet of torque. Now, Ford claims the mill will gain 10 horsepower and 50 lb-ft, for a total of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft — a torque figure that beats the F-150’s V8-powered competition.

Ford will mate the twin-turbocharged mill to its new 10-speed automatic transmission, which was the result of a joint project with General Motors.

Engine tweaks include a dual-direct and port fuel-injection system that delivers fuel to both the intake port and cylinder, and turbochargers with lighter turbine wheels and electrically activated wastegates. The EPA hasn’t weighed in with fuel economy estimates, but Ford says buyers can expect improved acceleration and overall performance.

The new EcoBoost’s twist easily tops that of its domestic competitors. A Ram 1500 with a 5.7-liter V8 makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft, while the 5.3-liter V8 in the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft. A move up to GM’s 6.2-liter V8 still isn’t enough beat the EcoBoost’s torque — that mill only boasts 460 lb-ft. The 6.4-liter V8 in the Ram 2500 makes 429 lb-ft.

Sales of the Ford F-Series could clothe and feed the families of a modest-sized country. The automaker has no trouble achieving massive sales figures, so an even brawnier EcoBoost will only help broaden the lineup’s appeal. However, the new mill does make the F-150’s available 5.0-liter V8 seem somewhat disposable. Come this fall, that engine will offer just 10 hp and 17 lb-ft more than its six-cylinder brother.

[Image: Ford Motor Company]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Nickoo Nickoo on Jul 11, 2016

    Long live the v8. The v8 is dead.

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    • Frylock350 Frylock350 on Jul 13, 2016

      @Dan, Here's the thing. Despite 300 lbs of "heavier duty running gear" the Tundra's capacities are no higher than the Silverado's. The Tundra is a fat ass. That "snow plow" can be removed in 10 minutes. I know because I took mine off just to see how difficult it is. Why is it a problem that GM (and Ford) put them there to enhance NVH and mpg? Seems more like an oversight on Toyota's part to me. The vast majority of pickups are not purchased to take offroad. Mine certainly won't see more offroading than a 2-rut road or a logging trail. So the real question is why isn't Toyota offering an easily removable mpg/nvh aid that the competition does? @heavy handle, My point was the Rolex is an ironic choice to use as an analogy for how great an engine is. Rolex sells on image and reputation; while its actual function is inferior to the competition. The opposite of the point HDC wanted to make. FWIW the most accurate watch will be a smartwatch; they're self correcting. @hdc, Toyota absolutely lit a fire under Detroit's ass and surely spawned the quick adoption of 6spds and engine improvements from Detroit. They just didn't keep the flame lit. All it would take is direct injection and a .2L bump in displacement and they're back in the game. However I've long held that Toyota doesn't really care to own the market; just to sell out their annual production capacity. They don't need to win; they just need to compete. I wish they would come out swinging like they did in 2007; its better for the market as a whole when everyone plays to win. I'm not brand loyal, when I buy any competitor has a fair show as long as they meet my requirements: 87 octane fuel (no premium/midgrade requirement/recommendation), E85 capability, ideally V8 power, brown/tan interior, and boxier styling. The HEMI 392 is a sweet motor; with all the Hellcat buzz I forget it exists. I still think its silly the FCA chooses not offer it in the half ton Ram. It should be the default engine in the Challenger R/T and the 5.7 should be dropped entirely.

  • CincyDavid CincyDavid on Jul 12, 2016

    A Rolex is a pretty piece of jewelry with a mediocre timepiece built into it. I love mechanical watches but for accuracy you can't beat quartz. Cincinnati had the old Gruen watch company in town, and when they closed up in the 1950s, I'm told that many of their watchmakers who built their movements in Switzerland went to work for Rolex. I also read somewhere that Rolex bought Gruen's office space in Switzerland. That's your useless non-automotive trivia for today. On the subject of DI gas engines, the technology makes me nervous. There's something to be said for Toyota's habit of sticking with older technology...

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    • Highdesertcat Highdesertcat on Jul 12, 2016

      @PrincipalDan Yeah, you're right, but DI engines can have problems of their own. For one, they are hypersensitive to the cleanliness and quality of gasoline used. And we all know that we have little to no control over what we put in our gas tanks. We have to rely on the honesty and integrity of the people that sell us our fuel. Too many horror stories on this board and others of people getting contaminated or under-par gas while traveling.

  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
  • Tassos Jong-iL Communist America Rises!
  • Merc190 A CB7 Accord with the 5 cylinder
  • MRF 95 T-Bird Daihatsu Copen- A fun Kei sized roadster. Equipped with a 660cc three, a five speed manual and a retractable roof it’s all you need. Subaru Levorg wagon-because not everyone needs a lifted Outback.
  • Merc190 I test drive one of these back in the day with an automatic, just to drive an Alfa, with a Busso no less. Didn't care for the dash design, would be a fun adventure to find some scrapped Lancia Themas or Saab 900's and do some swapping to make car even sweeter. But definitely lose the ground effects.
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