Last Saturday, we reported everything we thought we knew about the rumored 4.8L V8 engine supposedly destined for the upcoming next-generation 2021 Ford F-150. Now, new information has come to light that suggests that not only will the 2021 Ford F-150 not receive a new 4.8L V8, but that such an engine was never even in development. Here’s what’s going on.
The original rumor dates back to late 2016, when Reuters reported that Ford was investing $447 million into its engine plant in Windsor, Ontario. The Reuters piece suggested that the fresh cash infusion was needed to update the plant’s existing V8 production lines, along with adding a replacement for the existing Ford 5.0L “Coyote” V8 – namely, a new 4.8L V8 for the F-150. The report also pointed to production of a new engine for use in Ford Super Duty pickups.
Now, Ford Authority has learned that just one of those rumors was true. According to new information, the investment into the plant was actually used to update the 5.0L Coyote with direct fuel injection, as well as to tool the facility for the new 7.3L Godzilla V8 for the F-Series Super Duty.
That means that no new 4.8L V8 engine is headed down the pipeline from Ford.
As is often the case with rumors and speculation about future product, this new contradicts earlier reports that the existing 5.0L Coyote V8 would get tossed in favor of a new, more-power-dense 4.8L V8 unit with the debut of the 2021 Ford F-150.
This obviously comes as good news for fans of the 5.0L Coyote V8. It also leaves us wondering how the powertrain lineup will look like for the next-gen 2021 Ford F-150. That said, the current lineup, consisting of the following six engine choices, remains highly competitive:
- Naturally-aspirated 3.3L V6 gasoline engine making 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque
- Turbo-charged 2.7L V6 EcoBoost gasoline engine making 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque
- Turbo-charged 3.5L V6 EcoBoost gasoline engine making 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque
- Naturally-aspirated 5.0L V8 Coyote gasoline engine making 395 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque
- High-Output turbo-charged 3.5L V6 EcoBoost gasoline engine making 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque
- Turbo-charged 3.0L V6 PowerStroke diesel making 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque
If the 5.0L Coyote will stick around, then maybe it will be retuned to make more power and improved fuel economy compared to what’s offered in the current F-150. We could also see the turbo-charged 3.0L V6 EcoBoost engine making an appearance in the F-150. Meanwhile, an all-electric F-150 model has already been confirmed by Ford, but it might not be available at launch. Speaking of which, the all-new F-150 is expected to launch in the 2020 calendar year for the 2021 model year.
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Comments
Ok, will the full size SUV’s get a 5.0 ? It needs to go into vehicles other than the Mustang and F150.
Why? None of Ford’s other vehicles need that engine. The EcoBoosts are not only perfectly power dense and reliable, people prefer them as shown by EcoBoost sales in both Mustang and F-150.
As much as enthusiast want more V8s, everyday buyers don’t really care.
Those EcoBoosts are fine as long as they don’t fail at 40000km (24,854 miles) like some 1.0L Ecoboosts sold in the UK (currently there is a lawsuit against this engine) and you don’t mind the big fat bill when the turbo quits working.
The Ecoboost is a great engine for Premium cars and SUV’s. But there is no denying that the Expedition needs more engine options to compete. Some people in this segment prefer a V8, while others don’t mind a V6. It would be nice to satisfy both sets of buyers, especially given the 5.0 has an awesome reputation.
It’s not a case of whether it “needs” it or not. Not everybody wants an over-boosted, buzzy 60-degree V6 regardless of what kind of power numbers it makes or who claims it’s reliable.
Other than the Ecoboost engines return worse fuel economy than the V8’s under load and high highway speeds. The point of turbo engines is to be V6 efficient during normal operation and V8 powerful during work requirements, despite the high heat losses with turbos. Why do you think fords newest motor is a whopping 7.3 liter engine? why didn’t they go with a 5 litter turbo v8 for the new heavy duty engines? towing fuel economy is the answer. Motor trends towing review of the updated 2.7 ecoboost returned 11mpg at a California trailer rated 50mpg. the coyote returned 13mpg, and its an older engine at 70mpg. if anything ford needs to introduce a 5.5L coyote with etorque like ram has.
Other than the ecoboost returns aweful fuel economy under load. The point of turbos is to return v6 economy under light load, and 65MPH and v8 power under heavy load past 75mph and while towing, despite the high heat losses of turbos. Motor trends 2.7 updated ecoboost delivered 11mpg while testing with a 5000lb trailer in California, where trailers were mandated to maintain 50mph. Their test with a 5.0 returned 13mpg with a 7000lb trailer at 75mpg. why do you think fords newest motor is a whopping 7.3L behemoth?, not a 5L turbo engine with the same output. if anything ford needs a 5.5L v8 with etorque like what ram is doing.
Sure it will keep the 5.0 as an option. There are people who want a V8, and maybe 10% would rather go to a competitor than choose another engine. 10% is a whole lot of F-Series!
You are right, it needs to go in the Lincoln Navigator (surely it can be tuned to 500hp), and the Ford Expedition, maybe that’s why the old V8 powered Cadillac Escalade is still outselling the new for 2018 Lincoln Navigator, and the old V8 powered Chevrolet Tahoe is outselling the new for 2018 Ford Expedition. Isn’t the next generation Escalade rumored to get the 550hp Blackwing V8?
Yeah I read they’re getting some kind of boosted DOHC V8.
I totally agree and the ford ecoboost are perfect engines power when needed and economy when driven sensibly and very reliable with millions made and most doing monster miles.
I have to say I agree with Andrew Christian, his statement that the ecoboost engines are power dense is correct and his last sentence “As much as enthusiasts want more V8’s, everyday buyers don’t really care.” The only problem is, it seems that manufactures completely forget about the enthusiasts and the enthusiasts are the ones who promote brand loyalty. I agree that Ford needs to pay attention to the masses and produce vehicles that the everyday consumer will buy and that’s where the Ecoboost engines come in. A lot of people are extremely fuel conscious so small displacement overachieving engines are great for the daily run around cars and even the luxury brand such as all of the Lincoln vehicles.
There is a percentage of the population that would love to see Ford come out with some v8 powered rear wheel drive chassis enthusiast vehicles. I know this is going to cause a stir because we have been brainwashed to believe that the sedan is dead, but along with the Mustang (very anxious to see what the new CD6 Chassis mustang has to offer) there are people who want to see a CD6 performance Trio of the Mustang, a RWD based Taurus sedan and the Explorer, all offered with a couple of V8 options. a 425hp/420tq 4.8L, a 495hp 5.0L and even the supercharged 5.2L V8 along with performance options ford the F150 such as a new Ford Lightning pickup and even a Ford F150 GT 5.0L pickup truck. Of course a base 2.3L 350hp option should be available for these vehicles (except the F150 where the 2.7L V6 should be the base engine) but Ford needs to have a performance lineup for the ones of us who actually like these vehicles.
Turbos(it is the bearings that wear out and people also do not let the turbo cool down after working it hard)wear out on any engine no mater the manufacturer.The earliely 1 L did have problems but these have been sorted and now have proved very reliable.
What about the problems with VVT solenoids and timing chain stretch. Ford keeps redesigning the timing chains, oil passages for the VVT solenoids, and the solenoids themselves because even after all this time, they still have issues with cam phaser rattle and timing chain stretch. Not as often as in the past but it’s still a common issue. The big boost they use to make the power puts additional wear and tear on the piston rings, rod bearings, etc too. The higher the specific output, the more wear the engine endures over a given mileage.
Turbos(it is the bearings that wear out and people also do not let the turbo cool down after working it hard.)wear out on any engine no mater the manufacturer.The earliely 1 L did have problems but these have been sorted and now have proved very reliable.
As long there a v8 I will buy a ford pickup. I will say EcoBoost are powerful motor. But towing ever day with your truck. I prefer v8.
a four door mustang is an abomination…like when you made the T-bird four door…came back to the two door T-bird right?
I bought my 2019 f-150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. I can’t keep my right foot out of the turbos, and I still average 16.6 MPG. My neighbors told be to stop burning rubber down my street. Much more torque than the 5.0. It tows 10,000 pounds up a mountain like it’s not even there. The 5.0 bogs down, and can’t maintain 50 mph. For more power and torque buy the 3.5. The 5.0 in 2018- 2020 have rattling, squealing, and tapping issues, in both the F-150, and the mustang. Sounds like a diesel after 25,000 miles. Am I the only one that watches U-Tube?