Ford develops an all-new diesel engine for 2011

(September 13, 2009) DEARBORN, Mich. — With all the hoopla over the wonders of hybrid technology another form of technology seems to have unnecessarily taken a back seat — diesel power. Diesel engines have been around for about 100 years and accounts for over 50 percent of all new vehicle sales in Europe. As for the U.S., the major use of diesel engines has been in larger on-, and off-road trucks and work-related vehicles. The inherent power and high-torque of diesels create the perfect motor for this segment.

Historically, diesels have been associated with noisy, dirty engines. While these problems have been greatly reduced, old beliefs die hard. Ford Motor Company has announced development of an all-new diesel debuting on the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty® — the 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 turbocharged diesel engine. It’s the first Ford-engineered, Ford-tested and Ford-built diesel. Ford has sold 33 million diesel-equipped vehicles in the last 60 years and has the largest customer base in the industry.

The new 6.7L has undergone extensive testing in the lab and in the real world to ensure it will be the most reliable and productive powertrain available. Said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development, “Our Super Duty customers demand reliability and durability in their trucks so they can deliver the best results for their business and their customers. That’s exactly what this engine delivers.” The engine is aimed at ensuring 250,000 plus-mile durability.

Starting off as a research & development project, the new Power Stroke became an actual program in the fall of 2007. Among its technologies:

• Single-sequential turbocharger (an industry first);
• New combustion system that reduces NOx without degrading performance and fuel economy;
• First use of a compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine block in a Super Duty-class vehicle in North America. Stronger than regular gray casts iron, Ford has successfully used CGI in engine blocks in products around the world;
• Unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture that reduces overall exhaust system volume;
• Most service work can be done without having to remove the body/cab from the frame, thus reducing potential down time;
• Aluminum cylinder heads reduce weight and improve sealing.

Many automotive enthusiasts hope that at some point this technology finds its way into diesel engines for passenger cars. Clean diesels provide a much-more versatile and achievable long-term solution to increased fuel economy and pollutant-reduction, and the new Power Stroke Ford has developed should reap a huge return on investment not only for Ford…but for the civilian population as well.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       — Al Vinikour