Moar Powah: Engine Upgrades Coming to 2018 Ford Expedition and F-150

Ford Motor Company has announced a series of engine and transmission upgrades for the facelifted 2018 F-150 and redesigned 2018 Expedition, all designed to provide a boost in both power and fuel economy. For the Expedition, the upgrades also include an off-road package available as soon as 2018 models begin rolling off assembly lines this fall.

Starting with America’s perpetual best-seller, the F-150, Ford’s powertrain improvements include the addition of dual injection to several engines, expanded implementation of the 10-speed automatic, and a new motor for base trim trucks. While Ford hasn’t released fuel economy estimates, it promises there will be improvements across the range. It was, however, willing to divulge enhanced horsepower and torque specs for all light truck engines, minus the Raptor’s.

A new 3.3-liter V6 will replace the outgoing 3.5-liter as the base F-150 engine. Due to the aforementioned direct and port injection, it produces 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. That amounts to an increase of 8 ponies and 12 lb-ft, respectively. Ford’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost now produces 400 lb-ft of torque, also thanks to the addition of dual injection. Horsepower on the twin-turbocharged V6 remains unchanged at 325, but the new torque figure represents a 25 ft-lb increase. It’s also now available with the 10-speed automatic.

Not interested in modest-sized V6s making an impressive amount of torque? Ford hasn’t abandoned you. The 5.0-liter V8 remains available, worked over with the same direct and port injection as the base engine. This has boosted horsepower by 10 to 395 peak units and torque by 13 for a nice round 400 lb-ft. It will also be offered with the 10-speed.

If you can hold out until next year, there will also be a fresh new 3.0-liter turbo diesel available. Details remain TBA. All the upcoming powertrains will come with stop/start technology as standard.

Not to be outdone, the next-generation 2018 Expedition has also spent some additional time under the wrench. Besides the standard stop/start tech and ubiquitous 10-speed, it receives some sizable gains in muscle and a dirt-focused FX4 package for the XLT trim level.

The SUV’s standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 now produces 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque — up from 365 and 420. There is also a high output variant for the Expedition Platinum, producing 400 hp and 480 foot-pounds, but you have to fill its tank with 93-octane.

As for the Expedition FX4, the Blue Oval is providing skid plates, upgraded shocks, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, and grabby off-road tires for its 18-inch alloy wheels. It also comes with Ford’s Terrain Management System, which is also available on other trims and the F-Series, if you’re the type who likes endlessly tweaking your terrain and throttle settings.

Both the 2018 Ford F-150 and Ford Expedition are scheduled to arrive at dealerships in the fall.

[Images: Ford Motor Company]