We’re all but certain that Ford will be rolling out a new diesel-powered variant of the ever-popular Ford F-150 pickup truck for the 2018 model year. What’s far less certain is how it will be branded.
In the course of sharing spy photos of the refreshed Ford F-150 earlier in the week, website PickupTrucks.com referred to the diesel-fueled full-size pickup as the “F-150 Power Stroke.” We rather think it fits.
At least, it’s inarguably better than branding it the “Ford F-150 Lion,” which is what it might be called should it assume the name of the oil-burning motor expected to lurk under the hood. Months ago, we received a tip that the diesel-variety F-150 would make use of a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V6 diesel from the so-called “Lion” engine family – a range of sparkless motors shared with PSA Peugot Citroën and Jaguar Land Rover.
Dubbing the 2018 Ford F-150 Diesel a “Power Stroke” would have the added benefit of instantly evoking a connection with the 6.7-liter diesel brute found in the new Ford F-Series Super Duty, which produces a class-leading 925 lb-ft of torque. Naturally, the 3.0 Lion makes nowhere near that, maxing out at 440 lb-ft in several Jaguar Land Rover applications. However, 440 lb-ft is still a lot of grunt – more than any Ford F-150 mill currently on offer beside the new 3.5L EcoBoost – and the name “EcoDiesel” has already been snatched up by Ram.
Look for the new, 2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke – or whatever it ends up being called – at next month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Comments
Aaron,
We wondered the same thing with the FORD BUILT “SCORPION” 6.7 Diesel.
All other diesels before that, with the Power Stroke Diesel name, was from International/Navistar, but FORD owns the name “Power Stroke Diesel”.
With that Brand that BIG, it would be foolish to ever give it up for a brand that is not known.