Ford Motor Company and Canadian labor union Unifor just ratified a new 4-year contract over the weekend, securing a total of CA$713 million in investments to be split primarily between Canada’s Windsor and Essex Engine Plants, with some CA$100 million reserved for the Oakville Assembly Plant.
So what is Ford getting for its money? According to Reuters, it’s expected that the Essex Engine Plant, which currently produces the 5.0-liter Coyote V8, will be updated to produce a new 4.8-liter V8 engine for use in the Ford F-150. This is partly corroborated by a statement made by Unifor President Jerry Dias early in the month. He said: “This new engine will be the highest technology, will be the most fuel efficient, will have incredible torque, horsepower and will be put into Ford’s No. 1 selling vehicles throughout the North American chain.”
The 5.0-liter Coyote V8, currently found in both the Ford F-150 and Mustang GT, is the latest evolution of the automaker’s Modular engine family. It’s the first Ford V8 to feature Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT), which allows the timing of the intake and exhaust valves to be changed independent of one another. While a breakthrough in terms of delivering decent power efficiently, there are gains to be made possibly through the use of direct injection and a higher compression ratio.
In addition to the Ford F-150’s alleged forthcoming 4.8-liter, Reuters reports that some of Ford’s investment will go toward a new, fuel-efficient large engine for the Super Duty. It is also expected that Ford’s Windsor Engine Plant will continue to produce the 6.8-liter V10 throughout the duration of Unifor’s new contract.
Comments
The 6.8L is a V10, not a V8.
Whoops, you are absolutely right. Thank you for picking up on that! It has been corrected.
This whole idea of the new 4.8L DOHC V8 engine isn’t a bad idea especially with the whole twin injection system. Here’s what i’m hoping for with the mustang and the new 4.8L ford V8. I would love to see Ford put the GT350 cold air intake, Gt350 throttle body, GT350 style intake manifold, GT350 style heads and cams, GT350 style exhaust manifolds and dual mode exhaust system. Proper calibration of that combination should give about 485hp with 28-30mpg especially with the 10-speed automatic behind it. That’s more than enough to compete with the Camaro. Now doing that with magnetic ride, brembo brakes, a tuned suspension, better gears, GT350 rear axles, a GT350 style rear spoiler, a front lip, side splitters and the refreshed body should do very nice along with a redone interior. Honestly with that being said Ford should consider putting that engine/transmission setup in the Bronco & Ranger, explorer, F150 and Expedition as well. It’s not that hard FORD. Stop letting us down! WE NEED MORE V8 ENGINES!!!!!!!